I'm Me

B.$myth

Topics In Media Class

In this class, we have covered a broad spectrum of topics. We discussed stereotypes, portrayal of women, the portrayal of inner city school children, school violence and its causes and the incompetence of our government. This class changed my perspective of the things I view. Now I put a critical lens to everything I see. For instance, upon watching the seemingly harmless movie "Ironman", the portrayal of the "Afghanistan Freedom Fighters" was extremely stereotypical. The viewer automatically had sympathy for the American soldiers killed in Afghanistan (though ironically enough their purpose for being in that country was never elaborated). Now, the children are learning that the "freedom fighters" are antagonists and a far more superior, American icon comes to the rescue and save the people from being brutally tortured by the insurgents. In all actuality, America has invaded another country for reasons I still haven't wrapped my head around. WE are the antagonists in real life, but the movie (which was meant for kids and young adults) portrays us as heroes. Before this media class I would have just let that very important observation blow pass me.

Media Class's Influence

I've learned much about media then ever before. The discussions that took place in the class room were about real important issues that shape the world we live in today. Issues like stereotypical behavior, stereotypes, racism, classism, politics, how women are being portrayed in the media, music videos message and view about women, and many more. We attack these issues and try to find a solution to them as best as we can. In my opinion these shapes us into leaders rather then followers. I can't look at a movie or even a music video without questioning the issues that they are feeding into. How can we ever move forward if we keep taking steps that lead us backwards? I feel the "YES WE CAN" speeches was the best project we've done so far because we gave our own opinions, our own insights of issues that affected us. We talked about how we would make that problem a solution for all people. In conclusion I now know I have a voice and I can use that voice to help others in need, uplift those who are down, abolish stereotypes that portray many people. I have a voice and media class is my influence.

The Wire

In media class we viewed a clip from the HBO series THE WIRE. In this clip we viewed many stereotypes being perpretrated. For one, many young black males were being portrayed as criminals, drug dealers, and even robbers. Hispanics as well were portrayed the same way. We even seen the negative portrayal the media has given all inner city school kids. If your an inner city school kid your subjected to violent and disrespectful acts. Other then that we also saw how some of the kids interact with one another in such a negative environment. We looked at two girls in particular. One of those girls was being bullied and in retaliation to the bully she cut her face. This gives us a thought in the back of our minds whereas we have to think about how others feel before doing anything.

The Wire

In class we watch the wire and an inner city school in Baltimore. This particular clip displayed inner city youth as violent unruly and having no sympathy or compassion for others. It showed old desk paint peeled walls and wild and rambunctious children. The classes were crowded and hard to control along with the students not taking the new teacher seriously. This shows how schools are now and also perpetuates that films only depict African American inner city schools in one way.

Themes Learned This Semester

This semesters themes were politics including Barack Obama's Yes We Can Speech and the conflict with reverend Wright, stereotypes portrayed by the media against women and African Americans, violence in inner city schools and racism as still a powerful issue in the world. These themes have opened my eyes to a more in depth way of thinking as well as a new way to carry myself. They have made me try to break out of societies usual stereotypes and standards. If I have learned anything thing from media class its don't let the media display who you are just be yourself.

Topics in Media Class

the topics disscussed in this class i have never discussed with people before. to be honest, i never really cared about it before this class. this class, my peers, and ms. roth helped me question the way i thought about alot of things. i am glad i had this class so that i cannot be fooled by the media anylonger. strrotypes, racism, and the portrayal of my gender, race, and teen peers have opened my eyes to how bad the media really is and how it can be. if it wasn't for this class, i would not interpret my music, question television, or watch politics like i do now.

the wire

I thought it was very interesting to veiw this series for te 2nd time. i think this show is a little extreme because of how the girl displayed her authority in the classroom. i also believe that the people who directed this series actually believes that inner city minortites are like that. it was like black people either had a weapon or were feared by other people. sometimes it is true but most of the time it is not. this show deserves all the academy awards or whatever it may get but i think it is a little extreme. it is propaganda to the people who don't live like this .

My media portfolio(Rough cut)

B. Smith
Media

Portfolio Project

Film products:
Pictures of different things we’ve talked about (O'bama, Females n the media, injustice, stereotypes)
Small footage of people talking about the problems (1 or 2 interviews of my friends, news broadcast clippings, radio edits, film clips, rap videos, etc.)
“Yes We Can” speech while more b roll (pics and footage) plays in the back.

Plot
I plan to show all of the stuff we’ve learned during this semester in a short film. It will contain the various topics we’ve covered with music and film. The goal of this film is to let everyone know that life has its ups and downs but together, we can overcome the problems of modern day society. It contains pieces of work that I’ve completed in the past semester and more. This is just the beginning so enjoy and look out for more.

B. $myth

YES WE CAN SPEECH

THE DAY STARTS OFF WITH A BANG, SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT IS A GOOD THING BUT NOT WHEN THAT BANG IS A GUN SHOT. POW POW DUCK NOW!!! EVERYONE TURNS WHAT DO THEY DO NOW...RUN SCREAM..THE MEDIA WOULD BE QUICK TO JUDGE WITHOUT A SINGLE QUESTION ASKED, BUT WHY? THEY WANT TO STEREOTYPE, PORTRAY PEOPLE IN WAYS THAT NO ONE WANTS TO BE SEEN OR BETTER YET NO ONE UNDERSTANDS

YES WE CAN OVERCOME
YES WE CAN PROVE PEOPLE WRONG
YES WE CAN GO ABOVE AND BEYOND
YES WE CAN TURN NON BELIEVERS INTO BELIEVERS
YES WE CAN STOP AND THINK
YES WE CAN MAKE A STAND
YES WE CAN DO WHAT IS RIGHT

I STAND BEFORE YOU SCREAMING
YES WE CAN!!!!!!

We need to take a stand
We need a plan, we can't continue to attack each other for minor reasons. I feel that we all have the power in us to create a peaceful environment with a limited amount of problem, because we have to face that we will receive certain challenges but we can't let that change negatively and cause us to act uncivilized. So enough putting ourselves down, listen to things that lifts you up. We need to hear things such as:

Yes we can come together as nation and face any difficulties

yes we can survive tragic situations

yes we can be the best that we be without going to the army

yes we can stop all the unnecessary killing and gunplay

yes we can have a black president

yes we can work through struggles

yes we can feel safe without a lot of cops with guns

Yes we can fix our community and make sure we are able to grow in them

yes we can allow black males to get jobs

Yes we can keep blacks out of jail

yes we can give second chances

yes we can do positive things to better ourselves

yes we can change

yes we can

Yes we can

Taquaia Ferguson
4/15/08




Yes we can learn to love

One another

But can we succeed?

The hands of history

Keeps pulling the chains

That holds us back.

So can we really change?

Yes we can!

We will fall through the cracks

And have no idea

Of what to fear

But can we move on

Yes we can!

We can become

More of what we

See in these mean streets!

And not fear of becoming doctors and lawyers

We will come out the jail and burn out the Ghetto’s

And will cross the new life of change and become more!

So can we change?

Yes we can!

The change starts with you the chains that dangle our feet ends with you!

What you decide to do with “the change”

Is your choice.

But remember the new generation

Are depending on you we

Stand over the people who

Sacrifice there lives.

And that is the dept that we shall some how need to repay.

So can we change?

YES WE CAN

Michael's Yes We Can!

Here he is....Presidential Candidate 2220!!

BK-Prep
Marllory Perez

Yes I Can
Everyday, all around me, I hear all sorts of stereotypes that makes me sick to my stomach. That I will get pregnant before I turn 19, that I wont be able to finish high school, that I wont make it to college.
As hard as I may try, I wont ever be able to stop these thoughts from going into people’s heads, but together as ONE, we can.
We need to stop blaming our failure on other people, we need to stop bringing each other down. We need to join together as one, and succeed……… because together, we can

MichaelSpeech

We as American citizens are gathered here together as one to answer to one of America's many problems Classism. Classism is the systematic oppression of people being placed in a lower class, rank, or position by the dominant class. It includes individual attitudes and behaviors, systems of policies and practices that are set up to benefit the upper classes at the expense of the lower classes. Classism explains how people are ranked according to socioeconomic status, family lineage, and other class related divisions. This system leads to a drastic income and wealth inequality.
This inequality is what we need to focus on. We're at a point right now where we need to come together as one, fight as one, and solve every issue like this one as one. The unfair distribution of wealth prevents our society from enjoying full financial benefits. This unfair distribution of wealth causes nothing but misery for the working class and poor people. I've seen working class people give a helping hand to those who are poor and of higher class. Now why is it that I've never seen a person of higher class ever help those in the working class and even poor people. Why is it that those who are in the higher class recieve special attention, better health care, better food, a better chance of doing anything. It's a cycle for the higher class, if your wealth is great you only help those who have greater wealth. This keeps us, "the people," from breaking that wall that seperates us from them, the poor from the rich, the lower class from the upper class. I feel we can break that wall and come together. Spread the wealth to those less fortunant rather then turning away because of his or her class rank. This seperation only feeds the saying " Survival of the fittest" well I feel it's time we come up with a new saying for a new plan that promises a new way of living.

When you see or hear that theirs 31 million poor people in America thats when we the people have to stand up and say this isn't right we need to figure something out in order to fix this problem. I remember as a young child attending Brooklyn Prepatory High School observing classism first hand. These two young boys were disrespecting this young lady because of the way she spoke. One of the boys was lower class and the other upper class but still were friends. When both of the boys were caught and sent to the principals office their parents were notified and told of the disrespectful act they each committed. Now each of the boys parents showed up to the school. Now to make the story short the boys were given seperate punishments due to their class rank. The upper class boy recieved a low punishment. He had to sit in the office 10 minutes after the school bell rang because of his "rank." While the lower class boy recieved 4 weeks of detention. I feel that we all should learn from this it shouldnt matter what class rank you have you are not better then the other we all share pain we all share happiness we all share problems. A problem is a problems no matter what and when faced with a problem we do whatever it takes to solve it. Thats what we're going to do cause we can as one.

Yes We Can

Im so proud that we were all able to make it here
Glad that we were able to receive a certificate that shows our acheivements
Many people were told that they would never make it here
But we fought and told them Yes We Can
I knoe it wasn't easy for some of us
It was times when we just wanted to give up,
Sometimes we slipped up
Luckily, we have teachers who care who told us Yes We Can

Now as we venture off and go about our lives
We would face the difficulties of the real world
Some of us may go off to College
Others may choose their career right after highschool
But the fact is Yes We Can do whatever we put our minds to

Yes We Can be young black men and women going to college
Yes We Can get into a higher institue of learning
Harvard, Yale, Princeton we could do it all
Yes We Can go without getting pregnant
Yes We Can finish and not drop out
Yes We Can be at the top of our class

It is a shame that when growing up they tell us
its literally impossible for us to make these acheivements
Well, our job it to go out there
and make the impossible possible
Show them that no matter how hard they try to look down us
We will try even harder to acheive our goals in life

So when they tell No we Can't
Always Remember
Yes We Can

yes we can

Tavia Kenton

From the time we have all been a kid, most of us has always heard “you can do anything you set your mind to.”
If that’s the case, why do most people depend on others even the government for support then later still complains?
If we can do anything we set our mind to why is so many people living without a job?
Our ancestors, no matter what race you belong to, had fought for us just so we can have a better life.
Why do so many people make race a major issue? Is it?
Aren’t we all ‘equal’?
Aren’t we all people?
Black/ White/ Rich/ Poor/ Female/ Male
Does it really matter?
Shouldn’t what really matter is the type of person you are on the inside?
Giving up/ dropping out of school
Why leave the one major thing that will get you somewhere in life?
Turning to drugs/ the streets
Is that really the right way to go?

Bullying in school
Letting your peers down
Are you serious?!
Why not stand up for each other?
Why not stick together?
R.I.P Maria
A young soul that is now gone
All because of cruel intensions.
What will her mom do know?
Her only child gone forever all because of what?
Of her peers who are suppose to be the world new generation?
What will become of future years to come?
Will this negative trend continue?

I say YES WE CAN
As individuals yes we can come together and make this place a better place.
Yes we can
Do whatever it is we set our mind to.
Yes we can make something meaningful of each of our life.
Yes we can live above the influence.
Yes we can
Live as one.
Yes we can
Yes we can
Yes we can become leaders of tomorrow.

Sean Bell Case

As We all know, sean bell's murderers were let off free of all charges. Was a cop that shot at him black. All is unsure and unclear to me. all i know is that i participated in a protest covering jamaica ave on friday night.
destroying our neighborhood really didn't solve anything but it relieved some of the agression people felt. The cops arresed a person for wearing a "Fuck The Police" shirt. I was suprised no one cared about it. i didnt even see it on the news.....

HIllary Won!

Hillary clinton won pennslyvania. Do you think she has a definate chance of winning now? Who knows until the election of 08