Week 10

Chapter #1: Framing the Inner-City Teenager

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.

Yes, I believe the topics would differ. In my experience, rural communities and inner-city teenagers deal with different things. Socioeconomic status, area size, crime rate, etc differ from place to place. While some of the topics of their concern would be similar, overall their concerns would greatly differ depending on the community in which they live.
 

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

Inner-city kids are silenced by being denied the intellectual and tools of literacy that would allow them to present themselves.
 

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

The statistics presented under the heading "And Justice For Some" are shocking.  Living in rural WV, sometimes it is hard to imagine the situation that some students must face just to get an education. The author points to unequal treatment among different ethnicities in schools and juvenile facilities. I don't think the system is intentionally organize to disadvantage urabn youth of color, but that may be the end result.
 

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

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

The relentless marketing of "cool" is a dangerous avenue. It leads to young people never being satisfied with what they have, always striving to maintain "coolness". This can lead to enormous debt and even theft.
 

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?

Honestly, I was surprised to see that juvenile crime has decreased in 1993.  I was in high school in 1993 and don't remember any youth crime at that time. Of course, I live in a rural community. As a society, have we become more tolerant and less things are considered a crime? Are youth "getting away" with more? I found the following graphic:

 

 

 

7. Why is it important to let youth speak for themselves and their voices to be heard?
It is important to let youth speak for themselves and feel that their voices are being heard and understood. They have unique perspectives and perceptions. They need to know that their beliefs and observations are being heard.

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?

The book points toward a language gap as possibly preventing Urban Youth from articulating their own lived experiences. Students in low socioeconomic status areas are not exposed to as many words; therefore, they may have a harder time expressing themselves. I think that this could be problematic in WV also. You usually don't see "rural youth" in commercials like you see Urban Youth.
 

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

According to the author, teachers need to find a way to authentically link the students' experiences and language development. Students need to be taught in a way that makes sense to them, that incorporates their experiences and builds on them.
 

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

Skill and drill is ineffective because it doesn't link student to anything "real". They need to be able to see things in action.
 

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?

To improve literacy instruction, schools need to offer students new experiences that they can use to build upon the skills they already possess. This strategy would benefit students on the Appalachia region too.
 

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

With media, the process of reading is less involved. You don't have to use your imagination because the images are presented to you.
 

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?
The author believes that by providing opportunities for students to use oral and visual language skills, it would be possible to close the gap with print-based language. I think this could work for low-literacy kids in the Appalachia region.