Movies
Lean on me - Urban
Morgan Freeman plays the role of a principal who is more concerned about the well being of the students – even breaking the laws in an effort to protect the students when necessary. He seems more like a drill sergeant than a school principal. His forceful methods, while not entirely appealing to some of his co-workers do get results. What’s more interesting is that this film was based on a true story – thereby confirming that one man’s dedication can bring about that change that is sometimes so necesary.
Dangerous Minds - Suburban
I loved this movie a great deal. Again it shows the potential result of dedication and an indefatigable attitude on the part of the teacher. Louanne Johnson is an ex-marine, hired as a teacher in a high-school in a poor area of the city. After a terrible reception from the students, she tries unconventional methods of teaching to gain the trust of the students. She made the students realize the value of an education and how meaningful it can be to the direction their lives take post graduation.
The Breakfast Club
When five students are thrown together by Saturday morning detention, each begins to see the others apart from their stereotypes. Andrew, the jock; Brian, the geek; John, the wastoid; Claire, the popular Prom Queen; and Allison, the psycho girl; each finds qualities about the others that make the Saturday morning change their lives. At first, they argue and hate each other, but after smoking some marijuana, they pour their hearts out to each other, and tell about their fears, secrets, and their deepest emotions, and problems.
Songs / Music
Gangster’s Paradise – Coolio - Urban
That song reflects a sad reality of poverty and crime plagued life of most urban communities, speaks about a life with little expectations, where money is king and all efforts should be directed at acquiring some of that power via money. It speaks of the loneliness, fractured families and life of crime that plagues those living in a “Gangsta’s Paradise. This song also highlights the ever widening gap between the rich and the poor in urban areas.
Dear Mama - Tupac - Suburban
I really love this song. Tupac is viewed by some as one of the most violent of rap artists and this song shows he has that more emotional and reflective aspect of his life. This song was actually composed whilst he was in prison. Therein, he reminisces on the contribution of his mother to his life and pays tribute to her for all the struggles she endured while raising he and his sister. He highlights the life of a troubled teen growing up with no one but his mother to care for him. Were it not for her efforts his demise probably would have come even earlier .
Lean on me - Urban
Morgan Freeman plays the role of a principal who is more concerned about the well being of the students – even breaking the laws in an effort to protect the students when necessary. He seems more like a drill sergeant than a school principal. His forceful methods, while not entirely appealing to some of his co-workers do get results. What’s more interesting is that this film was based on a true story – thereby confirming that one man’s dedication can bring about that change that is sometimes so necesary.
Dangerous Minds - Suburban
I loved this movie a great deal. Again it shows the potential result of dedication and an indefatigable attitude on the part of the teacher. Louanne Johnson is an ex-marine, hired as a teacher in a high-school in a poor area of the city. After a terrible reception from the students, she tries unconventional methods of teaching to gain the trust of the students. She made the students realize the value of an education and how meaningful it can be to the direction their lives take post graduation.
The Breakfast Club
When five students are thrown together by Saturday morning detention, each begins to see the others apart from their stereotypes. Andrew, the jock; Brian, the geek; John, the wastoid; Claire, the popular Prom Queen; and Allison, the psycho girl; each finds qualities about the others that make the Saturday morning change their lives. At first, they argue and hate each other, but after smoking some marijuana, they pour their hearts out to each other, and tell about their fears, secrets, and their deepest emotions, and problems.
Songs / Music
Gangster’s Paradise – Coolio - Urban
That song reflects a sad reality of poverty and crime plagued life of most urban communities, speaks about a life with little expectations, where money is king and all efforts should be directed at acquiring some of that power via money. It speaks of the loneliness, fractured families and life of crime that plagues those living in a “Gangsta’s Paradise. This song also highlights the ever widening gap between the rich and the poor in urban areas.
Dear Mama - Tupac - Suburban
I really love this song. Tupac is viewed by some as one of the most violent of rap artists and this song shows he has that more emotional and reflective aspect of his life. This song was actually composed whilst he was in prison. Therein, he reminisces on the contribution of his mother to his life and pays tribute to her for all the struggles she endured while raising he and his sister. He highlights the life of a troubled teen growing up with no one but his mother to care for him. Were it not for her efforts his demise probably would have come even earlier .
Crossroads – Bone Thugs n Harmony - Rural
Shows
The Cosby Show - Suburban
The Cosby Show is said to have broke down racial barriers in TV by portraying an African-American family comfortably assimilated in upper-middle-class white America. With Mr. Huxtable as an obstetrician/gynecologist and Mrs. Huxtable as a lawyer, the show presented a picture to the world that African Americans “can be successful too”. It gave hope of a comfortable life amidst the much often publicized pictures of African American youths partaking in gang related violence, killing each other, falling by the wayside or going astray. Furthermore, the show went to the heart of the racial divide by being staged in and venturing into precincts traditionally dominated and controlled by whites. The show brought black upscale role models to a medium that too often tended to use blacks, when they were employed at all, as diverting clowns. It gave black youths hope that the too can have a successful family one day. This could also be identified by the kids in the show; each was portrayed as a high achiever whose thoughtful behavior and emphasis on education were seen as reflections of their parents'.
Saved by the Bell – Urban
Saved by the Bell gave us another more positive insight about what school life in like in the US. The show offered a world that reflects the ultimate high school experience – fun, some learning, friendships, cliques, underage drinking, “posies”, sexual innuendoes and the like. It showed us a high school experience that was mainly void of violence, drugs and crime as we would so often see in “school related movies.
The Cosby Show is said to have broke down racial barriers in TV by portraying an African-American family comfortably assimilated in upper-middle-class white America. With Mr. Huxtable as an obstetrician/gynecologist and Mrs. Huxtable as a lawyer, the show presented a picture to the world that African Americans “can be successful too”. It gave hope of a comfortable life amidst the much often publicized pictures of African American youths partaking in gang related violence, killing each other, falling by the wayside or going astray. Furthermore, the show went to the heart of the racial divide by being staged in and venturing into precincts traditionally dominated and controlled by whites. The show brought black upscale role models to a medium that too often tended to use blacks, when they were employed at all, as diverting clowns. It gave black youths hope that the too can have a successful family one day. This could also be identified by the kids in the show; each was portrayed as a high achiever whose thoughtful behavior and emphasis on education were seen as reflections of their parents'.
Saved by the Bell – Urban
Saved by the Bell gave us another more positive insight about what school life in like in the US. The show offered a world that reflects the ultimate high school experience – fun, some learning, friendships, cliques, underage drinking, “posies”, sexual innuendoes and the like. It showed us a high school experience that was mainly void of violence, drugs and crime as we would so often see in “school related movies.
It's interesting how some of your choices I would have pegged differently, but I think that may be due to our experiences. What about your artifacts for rural communities, TV shows, and the news? How does this additional data help you "flesh" things out more?
ReplyDeleteI think I'm struggling with this assignment because I find myself trying to look at those songs, shows, movies and media articles from a Dominican perspective and also from an American perspective at the same time and trying to strike a balance between the two. Some things/scenarios which may be considered applicable to urban here actually applies to rural areas in my country of origin. Additionally I wasn't too keen on TV and only looked at 3 or 4 American shows while growing up - Saved by the Bell, The Cosby Show, The Beverly Hilbillies and Gilligan's Island. Trying to peg the latter two of those are kinda difficult ,wouldn't you say?
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