Hmmmm..... Community

This Duke case is getting more and more interesting. Although it has taken Duke a lengthy time to produce comments and sincerity about the community issues that are at hand, I must say that I am happy that the underlying issue of race and class are being taken seriously.

Reading different articles about this case I came across the word "community" a lot. In most cases it's referring to this rich white community in the center of a poor black community. So now that a black woman has been allegedly raped by these white men, it seems that the university wants to take a communitarian aprroach in handling this case. They now want to look at the differences that surround them and incorporate them into an unfortunate incident.

My question is why does something awful have to happen, in order for this realization to take place?

Brodhead, in his reunion remarks, said a conversation that had touched him most profoundly was with the head of the North Carolina NAACP, who told him, "If you ever want someone to come and stand by you and talk about the damage that can be done by prejudging, by judging people because of a group they belong to and some theory you have of that group rather than actual evidence, you come to me.'" Brodhead added. "And actually, there has been so much prejudgment in this case. It has been a powerful lesson in how deep the passions of prejudice run, all kinds of prejudice--prejudices against athletes, prejudices against the South, have been very, very visible in the Northern media all through this."

It seems to me that what the head of that chapter of NAACP was trying to infer to Brodhead is that the Black community goes through prejudice everyday, nonstop. If the communitarian approach to life itself in this Duke/Durham community had been used prior to this incident I believe that the troubles and hardships of the media and this case could have been avoided.

Basketball Coach Defends Silence

"I think it's important for me to remember my place," he said during his annual summer meeting with reporters at Cameron Indoor Stadium. "I am the basketball coach. I'm not the president." - Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Lacrosse Coach.

No, he's not the president of Duke University, but he is the closest person to his players. If he doesn't know what is going on with his team, how is the president of the university to know? It doesn't seem like Duke University has publicity coaches for their faculty and staff. I understand that he may feel as though he may not have the authority to speak to the public about this situation, but he is the most relatable source in this incident (well besides the players). It seems as though he should be one of the main representatives in this situation.

Complete Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/21/sports/sportsspecial1/21duke.html

Communitarian Ethics

When reading this chapter I came to the conclusion that in order for a journalist to take the communitarian approach he must review, acknowledge, and embrace all characteristics of his community. He must report the story so it will be relative to all members of his community, not only the greatest majority.

One idea that I didn't understand when reading this chapter is:
"Community is a possible aim but not an ingredient of our human identity."
I'm thinking that it means - just because we strive to be in a community, that community does not make us who we are - I'm really not for sure.

However, the idea that "Fulfillment is never achieved in isolation, but only through human bonding." is interesting. I'm guessing it's saying that we can't fully make ourselves happy without the interaction of others. We need a sense of community to feel whole as one person.

This chapter was more interesting than chapter three, I hope that my understanding of this chapter is better than the last.

Quick Question

I'm a tad bit confused. Now, since a journalist's goal is to give voice to the voiceless, is it possible to produce the greatest good for the greatest number? Since they are the greatest number can they be voiceless?

Utilitarian vs. Communitarian Ethics

Let me see if I can get this together.

Okay, Communitarians do what's good for the community as a whole. They seek group harmony, social stability and security. Utilitarianis seeks happiness or good for the majority. Although they seem similar they are quite different.

Utilitarians focus on the greatest good for the greatest number. This theory, however, leaves out the minority. Utilitarians aren't necessarily concerned with this small number of people who don't benefit from the actions. Communitarians on the other hand focus on the entire community (which community they refer to is still up in the air to me, but still community). Communitarians on the other hand have more of a cosmopolitansim perspective. Everyone in the community is just as important/equal as the other.

The Utilitarian Journalist is conflicted when reporting the news because there is no way in determing if the greatest number is receiving the greatest happiness/good. These journalists seem as though they become evasive by broadening the act and claim that reporting the news is creating the greatest good for the greatest number.

The Communitarian Journalist if forced to lose it's individuality and conform to benefit the community/common good. But with a world filled with different communities how is it possible to generate a common good? (This is where the two theories are similar) How does a journalist choose which community to satisfy? Why should one have to lose himself in order to please others?

This chapter was pretty confusing to me, but I hope I understood the basics of it.

I loved this class...

Wow... what a quick three weeks. I can't beleive it's over. I dont want it to be over. I want to learn more, become more media literate. I learned more in the last three weeks than I learned last Spring semester.

To Jacque: you are definately the best teahcer for this class. You brought so many enlightening topics everyday, and you gave everyone a chance to state their opinion. What a great display of cosmopolitanism!!!.

To my class: I know we had a few heated debates, but I want you all to know that I appreciate you giving me an oppurtunity to see things in your perspective. I respect your opinions even though we may have disagreed at times. I'm glad we all had a chance to be enlightened and hopefully changed in this short period of time. I hope everyone leaves this class with as much as I did.

To Theima: I couldn't have done this without you and you're smart mouth. Okay, maybe I could've, but it wouldn't have been this much fun nor insightful. I'm really going to miss you when you leave.

Awww.... those were my thank yous and final goodbyes, I promise this posting didnt start off like this but what can I say, I got carried away. I wish you all the best!!!

Acting White?

Acting White? What does that mean to Film makers? Do their interpretations perpetuate stereotypes?

In this study I will take a look at the stereotypes that are shown when two black actors take on the roles of two white women. The images portrayed in this include the blue-eyed, blonde-haired, All American girl stereotype. I will take a look at the movie White Chicks and other mainstream media movies, television shows, and images, that portray the stereotype of “acting white.”

In the movie White Chicks, Marcus and Kevin Copeland, played by Shawn and Marlon Wayans, are two young, black FBI agents that transform into white women to protect two “All-American,” spoiled, rich socialites. Marcus and Kevin portray these two white women and encounter many trials and tribulations in maintaining their undercover status and protecting these two young girls. Maintaining these images allowed Marcus and Kevin to reinforce many stereotypes that are displayed throughout today’s media about young blondes.
The image of the dumb blonde (associated with characteristics such as seductive behavior, strong make-up, sexy dresses, naivety, giggling, and illogical thinking) has been propagated through movies, and although women are increasingly being featured as tough, independent individuals, commercials still tend to portray female characters in decorative and domestic roles (O'Sullivan, et al., 1998).

It’s no secret that the “dumb blonde” image is displayed over and over again in mainstream America. For example Suzanne Sommers (Three’s Company, 1977-1984), Lisa Kudrow ( Friends 1994-2004), Marilyn Monroe, Jessica Simpson, and Paris Hilton, all display the image of an All-American girl as well as dumb blondes. It is not surprising that the Wayans brothers use these images to make their performance effective as acting white. Still one must wonder if this is art imitating life, or vice versa.
In order to produce an effective content analysis of White Chicks the codes used to analyze this movie include appearances, voices/accents, clothing/accessories , and behavior/ demeanor.

Appearances
Marcus an Kevin are completely transformed into white women. The characteristics of these characters’ appearances dramatically change. Their skin become white (of course), colored contacts are used give them blue eyes, blonde wigs, big breasts, and prosthetics are used to make the noses of Marcus and Kevin more narrow. The image of the beauty of the All-American girl is created. The blonde hair tops the cake for both Marcus and Kevin making them official “White Chicks.” A study by Dr. Tony Cassidy and Georgina Harris, of the University of Coventry, asked 120 people - 60 males and 60 females - to look at pictures of a female model wearing four different coloured wigs, platinum blonde, natural blonde, brown and red. The 'platinum' blonde model was rated as popular by both male and female, but as less intelligent by male raters only. This suggests that the 'dumb blonde' stereotype may be a male construction. Dr Cassidy thought the dumb blonde stereotype probably emerged with the development of films, television and glossy magazines. These images are shown throughout the media everyday. Celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton all possess these characteristics and are considered women of beauty. These images are idolized everyday by today’s youth, which is also shown in a youth radio article: http://www.youthradio.org/health/011107_subclinical.shtml

Clothing/ Accessories
To dress the part of the two “white chicks” Marcus and Kevin were thrown into extremely short skirts and dresses that accentuate their body parts. As an accessory to the “All-American” girl image Marcus carried a pet dog that is pampered to the tee. This image is mocking the stereotypes in the media today shown by Jessica Simpson and her dog Maggie, Paris Hilton and her infamous Chihuahua, Tinkerbell, and many other Hollywood stars who carry their pets in their purse. The media displays small dogs are the must have these days in this article: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-30-2005/0003990957&EDATE=

Voices/Accents
To further create a believable “white” character, the Wayans brothers also changed their voices into a more high-pitched, “Valley-girl” voice. Valley speech is defined more by the use of certain expressions with certain intonations, than by phonological changes. There are also a few phonological characteristics associated with the accent (the spellings I am about to use are not authentic phonetic representations, but rather my own creative interpretation of how the words sound). In general, high back vowels shift to their corresponding rounded front vowels ("y'know"= "y'knü"), low back unrounded vowels become rounded ("oh my God" ="oh my Gawd"), and low front vowels become low unrounded back vowels ("hat" ="hot", or in the song, "Andrea" = "Ondrea"). (Chris Frost, http://www.personal.umich.edu/~jlawler/ask/valley.girl.html).
Another site that also notes so Valley Girlisms is: (http://silversapphire.expage.com/id47.html)
These mannerisms are stereotypically portrayed by white women and Marcus and Kevin uses them to get into character as a white woman.

Behaviors/Demeanors
Blondes have more fun! In White Chicks, Marcus and Kevin embody the stereotypical behaviors of white women. From shopping sprees, to social parties, the two “white chicks” experience life as a socialite in the Hamptons. Marcus and Kevin “dumb down” in order to fit in with their friends, giggles as if it’s contagious, and makes snooty remarks about their rivals. Images like these are portrayed in movies such as Clueless (1995), and Mean Girls (2004). Both of these popular movies contain a predominately white cast that reflects the stereotypes of rich, white kids.

Although this movie is a comedy and it’s intent is to poke fun at rich white girls in the media today, it’s interesting to see what stereotypes are widely accepted, and associated with these girls. The media does play a large part in presenting these images to the public. In order to act white, you must dress a certain way, speak in what can be considered “White Ebonics,” carry a dog in your shoulder bag, dumb down, and shopping and partying must be a priority. At least that is what it seems like the credentials are in films and in the media. Film makers replicate what they see in the media to make an effective and relatable image in their movies.

Acting Black? http://tdgoldson.blogspot.com