Many are portrayed as lovers of all things hip and cool - of the superficial. Folks think they like music, pop culture and few things that are serious. People think that life is easy for them - that things are handed to them very simply. The media shows kids that live in cities as street savvy, smooth and very interested in appearance and style. The media doesn't often focus on how these young people may fear violence. Some have had friends die. Most are fighting against deeply rooted stereotypes. And beyond all that they want to be successful. It's not just survival - it's survival and success. It's like the movie, "Take the Lead." These kids are so much more...
Showing posts with label Group 8. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Group 8. Show all posts
Monday, October 22, 2007
Where is the reality?
How are teens portrayed by the news media, especially those living in large cities?
I think coverage falls into two stereotypes: those with a hard edge who live a life of lawlessness; the other shows those who survive and thrive against the odds.
Here's an example of the former, but from the suburbs:
Does the fact that I can't find an example of the hard urban teen mean that it is just assumed that urban teens are like that? (but I digress ....)
The reality, of course, is more complicated. Take Devontae, our Blog helper. He lives on Chicago's South side. He goes to a Catholic school. He's hoping to play forward on the basketball team. He has a cell phone and has free text messaging. just got his report card and he did well: 2 A's; 2B's and 2C's. He says he'll try harder in World History and Art. But he's a good student. That's what HE says. He has high expectations for himself. He wants to be an obstetrician.
My 14-year-old? He wants to be an engineer. He has a cell phone and texts rather than calls. My son is Asian. Devontae is black. Both have dreams. Both will succeed. Two different experiences. Two different families with hopes for their children. Where are those dreams on TV? Where is the reality?
It's a good news story ... but it AIN'T on local or network TV!
Don
I think coverage falls into two stereotypes: those with a hard edge who live a life of lawlessness; the other shows those who survive and thrive against the odds.
Here's an example of the former, but from the suburbs:
Does the fact that I can't find an example of the hard urban teen mean that it is just assumed that urban teens are like that? (but I digress ....)
The reality, of course, is more complicated. Take Devontae, our Blog helper. He lives on Chicago's South side. He goes to a Catholic school. He's hoping to play forward on the basketball team. He has a cell phone and has free text messaging. just got his report card and he did well: 2 A's; 2B's and 2C's. He says he'll try harder in World History and Art. But he's a good student. That's what HE says. He has high expectations for himself. He wants to be an obstetrician.
My 14-year-old? He wants to be an engineer. He has a cell phone and texts rather than calls. My son is Asian. Devontae is black. Both have dreams. Both will succeed. Two different experiences. Two different families with hopes for their children. Where are those dreams on TV? Where is the reality?
It's a good news story ... but it AIN'T on local or network TV!
Don
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Devontae Gatewood
How are teenagers portrayed in the media? They are being portrayed as computer savvy and tech freaks.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
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