Double Entry Journal #10

1. Do you think topics that center on "frustration with official power" and "attraction for mass media fantasies would differ in  rural communities from those that inner-city teenagers focus on? How? Give some examples. 

No, I don't think it would differ all that much. I think what might differ is the form the "official power" takes. According to the author students he works with want to talk about police-youth relations, youth crime, violence and police brutality. What the "official power" looks like might change in a rural community - perhaps less police centered and more school administration and community/church leadership frustrations. I think topics such as prescription drug abuse, unfair treatment within schools, the seemingly inability to voice/see alternate viewpoints in a school (athletic vs. artistic students), GBLT issues within a community might be more relevant to rural  students. 

2. How do traditional social institutions and mass media work to silence inner-city kids?

Traditional social institutions silence inner-city kids by telling kids how they should or shouldn't behave in society and school and punish them as criminals. Mass media silences kids by co-opting their culture of defiance and marketing it to them (and to larger society).

3. What is your reaction to the statistics presented under the heading "And Justice For Some?" Do you think the system in intentionally organized to disadvantage urban youth of color?

My reaction to the statistics is that I'm not really surprised. I'm not sure I'd go as far to say that the system is "intentionally organized" that way, but I do believe that it has been institutionalized this way for a long time and has its roots in fear and racism.

4. Link to an advertisement or commercial that you consider to be influenced by hip-hop culture? 

http://youtu.be/Ul63nCoYhBc -- interesting because it seems to be marketing to 20 something white men who watch football - but uses hip-hop to do so, which must be because the style of hip-hop it features (heavy use of auto-tune) appeals to middle class white men of a certain age.

5. What dangers to young people do you see in the relentless marketing of "cool"?

Positive decision making can be affected by the marketing of "cool". Young people may choose to make a decision that is anti-thesis to their goals and wants in life because of the influence of "cool". The other danger is that young people trying to avoid and "one-up" the marketers find themselves in more extreme situations.

6. What is your reaction to the research that shows youth violence in decline? Do you still think that is the trend in 2012? Find some statistics to support your answer?

Yes, I do.  

 

Juvenile Arrest Rate Trends

The juvenile arrest rate for all offenses reached its highest level in the last two decades in 1996, and then declined 36% by 2009.

Juvenile Arrest Rates for All Crimes, 1980-2009

Note: Rates are arrests of persons ages 10-17 per 100,000 persons ages 10-17 in the resident population.

[Text only]  [Excel file]

• In 2009, there were 5,804 arrests for every 100,000 youths ages 10 through 17 in the United States.
• The overall juvenile arrest rate was lower in 2009 than in 1980.

---

Internet Citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available:
http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/crime/JAR_Display.asp?ID=qa05200. October 16, 2011.

---

7. Why is it important to let youth speak for themselves and their voices to be heard?

They can offer an alternative perspective, and a more correct view of urban youth than mainstream media.

8. What prevents Urban Youth from articulating their own lived experiences in ways that might be productive? Do you think this is problematic in rural areas like West Virginia? Do you think rural youth are victimized by mass media in ways that are different than Urban youth? How?

Urban youth, and Appalachian youth which includes the rural areas in West Virginia, have a cultural history of oral communication. They also have a modern-day culture that include visual communication. Visual and Oral communication is the primary form used out of school, while print communication is used in teaching. This gap disinterests and disengages the student from the process of learning, which also prevents the student from learning the vocabulary that is necessary to articulate their own lived experiences in the dominant media of the white middle class. Rural youth are victimized by mass media in similar, but contrasting, ways as urban youth. Rural youth are depicted as overweight and unhealthy, as "backwards," racist, unwelcoming, drug addicted and "rednecks." 

 

 The lack of vocabulary - which in public schools is the the vocabulary of the white middle class.

9. According to the author, what is the best way to address the literacy challenge?

Experiential learning, with more emphasis on oral and visual communication - which is the communication these students use more out-of- school. Also more exposure and learning opportunities from people who look the same and sound the same as these students.

10. Why is the skill and drill approach to literacy instruction ineffective?

The vocabulary skill and drill approach uses is the vocabulary of the white middle class, separate from and in direct opposition to their culture and experiences. This approach detaches and disinterests the student from teaching in print communication they receive in traditional school.

11. What should schools offer to improve literacy instruction for Urban Youth? Do you think this strategy would also benefit student of the Appalachia region whose literacy rates are similar to those of youth in the inner-city?

Experiential learning opportunities in oral and visual communication, and instruction from people who look and act like themselves. Yes, I think this strategy would also benefit students from the Appalachian region. 

12. How is the process of reading changed by media?

The idea of Literacy is changing because young learners are now "reading" a variety of non-print communication. The use of both visual and aural senses allows for a greater understanding and recall of what they learned.

13. According to the author how might the imbalance between inner-city kids strong command of oral and visual language be used to improve print-based language? Do you think this would also work for low-literacy kids in the Appalachia region?

By widening and deepening the definition of literacy to include oral and visual language and teaching those within a school would help bring an inner-city teenager to greater success within the classroom and the work world. It would also help the inner-city teenager be able to express themselves and insert their experiences and viewpoints into the mainstream which would ultimately improve print-based language for all. Yes, I think this would absolutely work with low-literacy kids in the Appalachian region for all the same reasons it works with inner-city teenagers. The culture of Appalachia is based in oral traditions and the modern-day American culture is based in visual communication.