media & its grueling effect on children

By reading the Christensen article and creating a media presentation I was really able to get an idea of how much the media effects people, especially the younger generations. I love the quote Christensen opens up with explaining, "Our society's culture industry colonizes theirs minds and teaches them how to act, live, and dream." This quote explains how much the media influences people. Children are exposed to over 12,000 images per day. If each one catches their attention even for 2 seconds and going to build have a huge impact in their lives. Its affects how people act, dress, what they are interested in and what is the "standard". Reading further on in the reading Christensen explains this idea of the media controlling society by calling it the "secret education". "...delivered by children's books and movies, instructs young people to accept the world as it is portrayed in these social blueprints. And often that world depicts the domination of one sex, race, one class, or one country over a weaker counterpart." When I read this quote I thought of the Johnson reading and relating to the culture of power. The culture that is in power is going to get the most input in the media and will eventually be perceived as the norm.

I enjoyed reading about how the students did some independent researched and charted stereotypes in the media that they witnessed first hand. Many students noticed the difference right away and some became angered that cartoons never had a minority playing a leading role, they always played the anatgonist or servant. This is embedding negative ideas into the minds of young children. An important point that Christensen points out is, "Of course, there should also be more women of color on the Supreme Court, in Congress, and scrubbing up for surgeries. But I want students to understand that if the race of the character is the only thing changing, injustices may still remain." I think Christensen is trying to explain, that although race injustices in the media have slightly improved there are still many problems remaining. For example, the perfect models are physically underweight and stick thin. This is an issue that can relate to low self esteem and eating disorders.

There is much more to negative media portrayals than people realize. I think as future teachers, people need to be aware of these issues, so they can inform students of the problems and try to avoid it to an extent.