Amazing. Disturbing. Sad. True. Ashamed. Scary. Innovative. Eye-Opening. Unbelievable. Believable. Active. Misogynist. Violent. Groundbreaking. Divisive. Unifying. Digital. Producers. Media. Powerful.
These are just some of the words that I felt while spending time on the Media Ed Website. I basically viewed almost all of the "Mini-Clips" and was just so impressed by the power of image in them. It's funny because I am: 1. A straight guy. 2. Sports Fan 3. Consumer which was basically the punching bag for most of the videos, yet I loved it! I loved it because I am 1. Real. 2. Open minded. 3. Guilty..
As far as the Course Anchors, this site related to all three as it was:
1. Digitally new-aged in presentation
2. Innovative teaching and learning through the scope of social justice
3. Media not as entertainment but as a means of educating.
Number three was most striking to me. From protests, to sexual images, to misogynist behavior, to the galvanizing force of sports, politics, and society. It made me think of things like, "Why do we want Tiger Woods to win again despite his deplorable behavior?" or "Why did millions(including myself) tune in to hear Lebron James' DECISION on July 8, 2010?" Or "Why is it cool for a guy to have sex with multiple girls, but a girl who has multiple partners is labeled a whore or slut?" I guess these questions can all be answered, "Because guys say so."
OK class, from who's perspective is the following clip?
Great adjectives.
ReplyDeleteI hate to see you write "guilty," but I suppose we're all guilty of belonging to at least one dominant class of people and most of us are probably guilty of not noticing when our dominant class is favored. But I don't think any of us are guilty of intentionally perpetuating harmful ideology. I'm happy to learn how to turn it on its head.
Maybe "ignorant" would be better. or a softer term like "bystander."
ReplyDeleteGlad the site was powerful for you, Ron. ANd I agree that "guilty" may not be the best term. ANd you are more than a bystander these days, for sure!!
ReplyDeleteAnd OMG that clip is really dangerous... what a way to teach young people about attraction and desire! As Kelly shared in class last week, it can be really powerful in sharing our ideas about what is sexy.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny because I had never seen this episode and I knew as soon as he grabbed her that they'd end up in bed together. Sex and violence, violence and sex. It is the bedrock upon which the entertainment industry is built.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I actually watched 90210 Religiously (guilty pleasure)in the '90s. The beginning of the series from 1990-1995 covered incredibly important themes relatable to teenagers, but then from 1996-2000 it turned more sex-based.
ReplyDeleteWhen looking critically, I think that those who represent, embody, or are interested in things that have found favor in the dominant culture can oftentimes feel like the "punching bag" you write about in your post. It's good to feel under the microscope and figure out one's place in the struggle. In that he is a straight, white male, who is interested in sports (former high school all-star - football), Jackson Katz is similar to many of us who find ourselves in that same position.
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