Media Violence

I don't believe that television programs or video games have a big effect on what led people to become hardcore criminals. I think it all depends on what types of neighborhoods people grew up in, and the kinds of parents they've had during their early lives. For example, some parents make their children follow their route, and abuse society's rules in a way that is not acceptable. So, nobody ever knows what kind of desires those children will have when they grow up, and they might do something very dangerous that reflects back on their parents. The problem with video games is that there is no actual evidence that shows how it makes kids become violent, because there are a lot of things that can set them off, and it doesn't specifically have to be video games because they've played it. I've played video games that involve wars, and shooting other people. The thought of bringing a gun to school and shooting everybody has never crossed my mind, because I'm not a criminal who kills people for fun, and besides I don't live in a neighborhood with guns available on the streets where people will just hand it to you. But, if people want to talk about the real criminals, then they should look into their history, and they can find out for themselves that criminals are not video games characters! Most of them grew up in neighborhoods where killing was the only way to survive, and others have major sickness, like the Anti-Social Personality Disorder. I don't have the research to say what's true and not, but I can be sure that only a minor percentage of the population could become violent because of video games, or television shows like "Tom and Jerry," which they watched when they were kids. I don't even remember what I've watched on television when I was young, and I feel as if everything I did when I was eight or younger is completely washed out of my brain.

Media Violence

Cultural critics perennially blame violent content in television, film, video games, and music for violent behaivor in young people. There is much evidence to prove this statement. Games such as Grand Theft Auto, and movie like, "The Godfather," just to name a few are perfect examples. As with video games, muscal groups such as Lil Wayne who sing "Lollipop," also incorporate violence in the choice of words. This could also cause a very negative effect on a child and influence them to get into serious trouble. A 2001 review of the seventy top selling video games found eighty-nine percent contained some kind of violence. Half of all the games contained serious violence, while forty-percent contained comic violence. In forty-one percent of the games, violence was necessary for protagonists to achieve their goals. In seventeen percent of the games, vioence alone was the primary focus of the game. It is greatly due to the violent media that surrounds our culture today that so many of our children get into trouble with the law and ultimately get busted by police officers. Researchers have found for a fact, that children tend to be more physically and verbally aggresive immediately after watching violent television shows, movies and/or playing video games. It is also a fact that naturally aggressive children and teenagers watch more violent television than their less aggressive peers. Another noteworth bit of information is that early exposure to television and movie violence seems to increase aggression in later years. Furthermore, I support John Davidson's, "Menace to Society," very aquetable.

Perhaps, if the companies that make the video games and the rap artists that produce the songs would have a less vioent message to our chidlren/teenagers, the death rate amongst them would decrease! It is almost impossible to believe how many frequent swear words or use of weapons are used in such type of music. The "message" in rap music is often related to violent behavior. It is unfortunate that we cannot turn back time to the 1980s and early 1990s when one would not dare sing or create any type of media that could harm the minds of young people in our society.

The way in which a person is raised certainly plays a major role iin their general behavior. If a child is brought up in a broken/disfunctional family with little eduction, and guidance, the child will more than likely have poor judgement and consequently poor or violent type of behavior. A child who grows up in a family with refinement and good values (even if they watch television or listen to rap music occassionally) will be les likely to grow up with a violent demeanor.

In the future, if and when I have children, I know I will try to teach them how to make good choices, not bad ones. I will hope my offspring will make me proud and ignore the negative influences that will surround them during their formative years. I hope I have made my parents proud of me thus far. On a a final note, every twenty-five seconds a child is arrested for some tpye of cruelty act. Shouldn't this tell companies and rap artists something? Children are supposed to be the future of our generation, not the fate of agony!

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest & Cool Hand Luke

In the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and the film Cool Hand Luke, both main characters practiced similar roles. Randall Patrick McMurphy was actually in a prison farm before they sent him to the mental institution. Lucas and McMurphy are similar in a lot of ways, and most importantly they are self made heroes. They both tried to escape from the prison camp; Lucas by running away countless of times, and McMurphy by claiming that he's a lunatic. One of the many different events that have caught my attention are the bets they each made. Lucas's bet was that he can eat fifty eggs in one hour, and McMurphy bets that he can lift the control panel in the tub room. Both bets were very difficult to achieve, and even though one succeeds and the other fails, they both gave an effort and tried their best. When Lucas was done eating fifty boiled eggs, he was laying down in a position similar to the crucifiction of Jesus Christ, and when McMurphy didn't have the strength to lift the control panel, his hands started to bleed symbolizing the blood coming from Jesus Christ's nail scarred hands. They are both being referred to as the savior Jesus Christ, who's job was to save the world. They are very different from the rest. They do things according to what's on their mind, and they don't fear any of the consequences. They each tried to surpass their authority for a lot of reasons, and the most important one is to relief the other men from their misery. To rather awaken them from their nightmares. To give them a sense of life and hope. They loved to gamble, even with their lives. For once, they both doubted their abilities, and started to conform with their roles, but then couldn't hold on to it anymore, so it cost them their lives. McMurphy was lobotomized, and Lucas was shot. But, they remained as the heroes in the minds of others. The only major difference in between the two is the person that was in control of them. For McMurphy it was nurse Ratched, and for Lucas it was the boss of the prison camp. It just goes to show that anybody can become an evil force, and the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, was not misogynous.

School Musical: "Anything Goes"

"I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're The Top," "Anything Goes." These are amongst the few songs from Cole Porter's famous musical, "Anything Goes," which was selected to be the fall musical presentation at Groves High School. "Anything Goes" is about a young man who falls in love with a beautiful girl. When he sees his love aboard a luxury ocean liner, sailng form New York to Enlgand with her fiancee, to get married, he must divise away to break up the planned wedding. Personally, I believe this play that Mr. Rutherford and his colleagues put on, is by far one of the best selections I have seen since becoming a student at Groves.

However, the play tends to "push the envelope" as far as school regulations go. In the play, a gangster regularly flaunts and uses a gun and the use of wine and liquor is reflected. Is this an appropriate message to be sent to Birmingham School District students? Should there have been a different approach to this musical, or do you think that the "inappropriate" parts of the play could have been taken out to suit all ages! Why do you think Mr. Rutherford chose to keep it in the play? Or was he limited to being able to use only the Cole Porter original?

As I take part in the school musical playing in the pit (orchestra), I wondered if it would be a sellout play. Remarkably, there were many unoccupied seats. Could there be a reason behind this? Though this play is glowing with enthusiasm, the school charges quite a bit of money for admission. More or less, this musical seems to be a shorter play than usual. Last year, tickets were a dollar or two less for both students and adults. I wonder why. All in all, it is hard to believe that my four years in high school is coming to a close, and I may never will play in an orchestra again. I hope all the best for the future Groves High School actors to reach "the top" in the GPAC!

Incidentally, the play is very good---I know that the students worked hard to put on a good performance and hopefully this play will not offend or hurt anyone's feelings in any way! Remember, this play took place in the 1950's when segregation and racism were active. Student tickets cost $10 and adult tickets cost $12, a hefty price to pay! ☺

Presidential Elections: Barack "The Rock" Obama Wins!

Yesterday our country went to the polls around the country to vote for the next president of the United States. Unbelievably, this was the first time that no matter who Americans chose for the presidency, either would make history. If Americans chose John McCain to become president he would not only be the oldest president to serve our country, but he would also have the first female vice president suppporting him. If Americans chose Barack Obama, he would be the first African-American president. Incidently, our country found out at approximately, 10:45 p.m. that Barack Obama was the winner and made history by being elected the first African-American president. He won by both the electoral vote and popular vote. The final electoral vote count gave Barack Obama 364 electoral votes, while John McCain only had 163 electoral votes. The electoral college requires 270 votes to be elected president. I hope my fellow Americans chose the right person to lead our country in the right direction and I hope he will give us promised change. I know many presidents in the past have lied, especially Bush, with the promises they offered Americans, but I believe Barack Obama will be more truthful than the others. I wonder if having voted for him will give our country a greater positive appearance to the rest of the world, than our current view. Anyone could tell from this youtube video of President-Elect Barack Obama in Chicago, that he understands the importance of keeping his campaign promises.

I consider Barack Obama to be very similar to Jesus Christ, just as R. P. McMurphy resembled Jesus Christ in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," because he is going to help people experience less hardship. I believe that Barack Obama will be able to restore people's lives and lead our country back to being the most successful country in the world. The way in which the Republican party, and particularly George Bush, has steered our country into being despised by other countries, is horrible! I think all the talk about him and the legacy of his presidency is accurate. President-Elect Obama recognizes all of the Bush critics. He will give people many chances and reasons to change. He will create a different lifestyle and sense of pride for being an American, just like how Jesus Chrst created a new lifestyle for members of the Christian faith.

In conclusion, I am glad that Ameircnas have finally answered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream by viewing everyone equal. His dream was to, "have little black boys and little white boys live in harmony." Forty years later, his dream came true. We have an African-American president that will lead our country in the right direction. It is truly remarkable how only forty years after formalized segregation and racism was eliminated, that people have finally started to understand each other. I will always remember this close and historical election for many years to come. Yes, WE CAN hope for change and a NEW way of life!