"My bro from down the road yeah...Got sent away for seven and a half years for holding his fork...Justa fork blud, he was feeding his baby."
An Investigation into how black British teens that become involved in street crime are represented in media.
This essay will investigate how black British teens that become involved in street crime are represented in the media. It will also consider why these young black British adolescents are involved in street crime in the first place and consider how this phenomenon might be influenced by the media. We can agree that street crime has become an increasing talking point over the recent years and that some urban areas have seen a dramatic increase of both gun and knife crime. It has been argued that: “We won’t stop this by pretending it isn’t young black kids doing it,” suggesting that the representations are based on reality. Thus, this quote would link to the ‘hypodermic needle theory’ as this theory relates to the way in which the audience are injected with information, which they see within the media, in a specific text. For instance, the opinions that hooded teenagers that partake in gun and knife crime, the audience are therefore influence in to agreeing with the stereotypes and ideologies distributed. In terms of the negative interpretation of black adolescents within the media it is debated here whether or not actually these stereotypes are in all true. In actual fact, what we have to take on board is who is behind what is shown on our TV screens and also mainstream media. Furthermore, how this stereotype is obeyed as far as entertainment is concerned, i.e. Adulthood, Kidulthood, bullet boy etc and also the modern media news.
Ever since slavery, contemporary black people have been abused by socially and subject to negative stereotyping. In this contemporary day and age, there are negative labels which linger heavily over black youth and their culture. Yet stereotypes have been generated about black people because of the ways that they conduct themselves in public on the streets, and the way in which they draw attention to themselves, in addition, to racist, hegemonic values dominating in many media outlets. So, stereotypes about black ethnic groups transpire because of the way they dress, for instance, wearing big black hoodies, baseball caps and wearing their trousers somewhat low down. But these styles are influenced by the media in the first place: “US gangster films such as Get Rich or Die Tryin’ has countless features which enable young adolescents to replicate.” This successful film stars 50 Cent who is and constructed a global icon for both black and white youths today. So these dress conventions are often artificial and constructed for black British teens to imitate. Ferguson argued that: “Wars, murders, racist attacks are part of the seemingly endless flow of media representation of black British teens” . Equally leading cultural theorist and sociologist, Stuart Hall (1972-79), talks about the misrepresentations that black people experience from the media along with the negative representations which are illustrated in society.
Stuart Hall also identifies that there were three main stereotypes linked in with black ethnic groups which were also repeatedly reinforced through media. These three main stereotypes were ‘the native figure, the clown and the slave figure.’ This shows what is often portrayed in contemporary news with relevant examples being black youths involved with gun and knife crime. “Black people are more likely to be stopped and searched that white people.” The law says that, the police have the rights to stop and search people if they believe that this person could have a weapon on them or even drugs. Having said that, when the police are conducting these stop and searches, how many of those people would be black? From the media, those being stopped and searched are black which suggests the stereotypes followed are directly linked in terms of what the TV shows.
This is a common representation highlighting the idea of violence and unacceptable behaviour amongst what most black people feel as ‘the other’. The audience seeing these stereotypes show black male teenagers within the news which are likely to become intolerant as a result it could be seen as normal to those of the ethnicity to conduct themselves like this which links in with moral panic. In addition, could it be debated that the media control what people think and their views? “The media do have the ability to marginalise such groups and give a rise to these intolerant people.” This quote signifies that the audience can easily be convinced because of the pessimistic portrayal and representation of black male teenagers frequently shown across the news. This may become extremely possible that the viewers have off-putting views upon black ethnic group of people.
Galtang and Ruge’s theory successfully shows the main news values when the news is being presented. The key element of a value that they identified was the key point of how big a story is. It therefore raises questions in terms of, “Is the story popular enough in order to be distributed in to the news?” This intends the force of not having a story which is not popular enough which represents black people in way which is consistently a negative portrayal. In addition, the argument from this is that within black teens famous celebrities being portrayed in the UK are undoubtedly more negative pictures rather than positive ones. For instance, those teenagers that are involved in ‘Gangster rap or UK Grime’ music are more likely to be causing street crime. "There needs to be a collective effort to combat underachievement and low aspirations amongst our young black men. These kids need realistic alternatives to show them that every opportunity is available to them." So the lyrics and more importantly the purpose of the music often related to how much these people use gun and knife and at the same time partaking in gangs which would lead to drugs.
Therefore, the influence of the music may restrain black youths to look up to the artists they believe are positive role models rather than negative ones. “Negative stories are more likely to grab headlines for the smallest of things, having said that, positive performances are more or less uncared for.” Young black UK celebrities such as Craig David, Chipmunk etc represent tremendously positive representation of thriving black artists who were also raised in hard working urban areas within the capital city of London. However, both artists mentioned above have stereotypical backgrounds and whether their success has ever been highly spoken of despite their success is a matter to be brought up. Even in UK films, do all UK films represent black males as positives? And would it be reasonable to suggest that UK based films are not remotely successful even across Europe? Having said that, there is no question that UK based movies are enormously dependable on their support just from UK audiences which would mean that the representations within the films must be sensible and not to go against the stereotype. “Adulthood, a new year, a day to remember, Adulthood takes you through all the nitty-gritty of London showing you an indication of what life is like for these young black British teens in particular.” This movie persists of both gun and knife crimes along with clearly distributed sex and alcohol. So, does this create a moral panic within society because of the stereotype that is being portrayed in films as of Adulthood?
"White people using their power to exclude black or Asian people from opportunities for good health care, education and employment" suggests that black people shouldn’t have the top level success and therefore should remain a lower class and remain with lower class jobs. However, positive black British movie directors such as Noel Anthony Clarke have increased, with Noel Clarke being one of many black British directors setting out examples and being encouraging role models. Having won a BAFTA award winning English actor, director and screenwriter from London. He is best known for playing Wyman Norris in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Mickey Smith in Doctor Who. Clarke appeared in and wrote the screenplay for Kidulthood and wrote, directed and starred in the sequel, Adulthood which gained £1, 209, 2319 from the opening weekend of its release. The success of Noel Clarke has moved from negative representation of black British people from the media to the new era of multi talented actors or has it?
On the opinions that people have stereotypical views of black ethnic teenagers as “thugs”, “bad influences” and “causing nuisance” then these black male teenagers would even more so be linked with these headings. Does this subsequently fabricate further moral panic within contemporary society? For the simple motive that this stereotype is being portrayed within movies like Adulthood, also to what measure would the involvement of the storyline have on the viewers? According to Auteur theory it could be hinted that the movie is predominately accounting on the directors’ opinions. In terms of the negative approach, along with the stereotypical views of black British teens especially in movies such as ‘Kidulthood’ and ‘Adulthood’ there is no question that the setting of the movie will give it the expectancy of the stereotype to be addressed from the viewers.
A prime reference of this would be the estate housing where you see young black British teens living in, by showing this to the audience; the audience are quickly able to sum up the stereotype of young black youths as criminal offenders. These types of areas are also shown in the news, when a serious crime takes place such as gun or knife crime. “For a number of years, there were a limited amount of black British people working on television however, every time there was black British people they were shown to be as problems” “There is a pattern of insulting stereotypes in cinemas hovering around black culture.” Endless repetitive of negative representations in films will sooner or later construct additional moral panic within contemporary society. Having said that, when these stereotypes are acted out in movies, is it more likely that the audience might consider agreeing with the stereotype that is being addressed? Furthermore, if audiences have made their judgements in terms of believing about the stereotypes then black British teens could therefore have a conclusion of believing and start to live up to the stereotype and tolerate others to believe that they might be correct. Following, Auteur’s theory with the news in the UK also could be reliable on who produced the news stories and whether or not it is news worthy linking it to Gultang and Ruge’s theory. “Every story from the news is influenced by the mentality of the editors and writers.” If the increase of negative representation of black British teens is publicised frequently then moral panic will also mount which will then gradually affect the youths who are in gangs.
In recent years there are no doubt that there have been many changes that involve in contemporary UK news. In terms of the print media, certain tabloids express their views and opinions extremely clearly. It is important to discuss about the print media has many of the audiences consume this platform of media. This will allow me to investigate the stereotypical and racist comments from a tabloid paper against black British teens. There was a specific article that has been discussed openly via a tabloid newspaper about a young lad who suffered severe stab wounds in south London not so long ago. “It’s our people committing such outrages crimes, and I just don’t understand why.” The news puts into perception that the place of black people within contemporary society as it proved that black British teens have no fears what so ever about the law. “Black lives are progressing to be worthless, has harsh as it sounds that’s the way it’s looking.” Moreover, the constant ideology of black British teens acting this way has gathered fright in society.
In conclusion, it could be debated that the core ideology would be that the thought of black teenagers are notorious and always involved in crime one way or the other. The suggestion that negative representation that are being represented through the contemporary UK news increase the moral panic within society on the assumption that black teenagers are allied with the ‘typical’ representations and stereotypes. Consequently, black youths could therefore exist up to the stereotypes by conducting these street crimes and at the same time allowing the audience to perceive views upon a particular group. The observation of black British adolescents which therefore emphasises and generates moral panic from the vision that most black British youths execute crimes, reason for this could be due to the fact that a small quantity of positive news are rarely distributed within the contemporary UK news.
Word Count: 2,211
Friday 7 May 2010
Friday 19 March 2010
My personal plan for my essay followed with my next steps..
My Targets
• As we have recently been undertaking some peer to peer assessments with the class I will be reviewing them and identifying how to take the www’s and ebi’s in order to make it better.
• Another target of mine is to sort out my footnotes as they I have done them incorrectly in terms of where the footnotes should be.
• Another target is to conduct a full investigation into Stuart Hall and his theories about the black representation as well as discussion of colonialism/post colonialism and how it links with representation.
• I will also need to use more media theories and re-structure some of my sentences.
• When using wider contexts I will need to use political as well.
• An additional target for me is to bring in moral panics and direct links to ownership and control.
• My 7th target is to relate my points that I make to different theories or to include theories after each point in order to back up my point and hopefully get a better grade.
My next steps
• My next step is to start with each target that I have set myself and make all the necessary changes I will need to do in order to get my grade higher. I will be starting the first four targets tonight which will leave me with the last three on Saturday the 20th of March.
• Once I have made all the changes that I need to do, I will be reading it thoroughly to myself to see if I have covered all the points needed. This will be done on Saturday the 20th also.
• Once I have read it myself I will be showing it to a family member so that they can see it for them to see if I have done any errors in terms of the grammars etc.
• Before the deadline for the second draft is due I will be showing my essay to a classmate to see if they could see any faults in my essay and asking them advice in terms of how could I improve my essay.
• I will also be getting much more research on my chosen topic. I will be using more books from the Ealing library which will enable me to boost my bibliography.
• As we have recently been undertaking some peer to peer assessments with the class I will be reviewing them and identifying how to take the www’s and ebi’s in order to make it better.
• Another target of mine is to sort out my footnotes as they I have done them incorrectly in terms of where the footnotes should be.
• Another target is to conduct a full investigation into Stuart Hall and his theories about the black representation as well as discussion of colonialism/post colonialism and how it links with representation.
• I will also need to use more media theories and re-structure some of my sentences.
• When using wider contexts I will need to use political as well.
• An additional target for me is to bring in moral panics and direct links to ownership and control.
• My 7th target is to relate my points that I make to different theories or to include theories after each point in order to back up my point and hopefully get a better grade.
My next steps
• My next step is to start with each target that I have set myself and make all the necessary changes I will need to do in order to get my grade higher. I will be starting the first four targets tonight which will leave me with the last three on Saturday the 20th of March.
• Once I have made all the changes that I need to do, I will be reading it thoroughly to myself to see if I have covered all the points needed. This will be done on Saturday the 20th also.
• Once I have read it myself I will be showing it to a family member so that they can see it for them to see if I have done any errors in terms of the grammars etc.
• Before the deadline for the second draft is due I will be showing my essay to a classmate to see if they could see any faults in my essay and asking them advice in terms of how could I improve my essay.
• I will also be getting much more research on my chosen topic. I will be using more books from the Ealing library which will enable me to boost my bibliography.
Friday 26 February 2010
4Docs
This is a example of a 4doc. We looked at this simply to understand the structure more. The structure from this short documentary will help us learn how to structures and lay ours out to be hard hitting and informative.
Kimbo Slice Trains with Bas Rutten to fight Tank Abbot
This is one of the videos of Kimbo slice where we see him contribute in illegal street fighting. This clip shows Kimbo slice training for a fight that is about to come up and shows you how hectic is his training regime.
Kimbo Slice Interview
Kimbo Slice is a black American who began his fighting career as a street fighter participating in many streets fighting having also succeeding in UFC. Kimbo slice was involved in a number of street fights where out of a possible 20 fights were recorded and placed up in YouTube. All of the street fights were organised also allowing the viewers that were at the scene of the crime to make bets to who will win the fight and obviously the person who wins he bet will get the money. Within this short cut interview, we see Kimbo Slice talking about his exchange from street fighting into becoming a legal professional fighter, training with qualified fighting coaches and making his way on to the UFC.
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Even Better If ..
After growing some feedback on the positive points about our presentation, we received clear feedback on how we could have improved our pitch/or even better if. We were told that within certain slides of the presentation, there wasn’t enough information shown on certain categories and that a little more media terminology should have been used whilst trying to sell out production idea.
• Within some slides, the order could have been changed around to make the order a little more understanding.
• Some extra research needed into the documentary genre.
• More information on the main conventions.
• Some audience theories should have been fully explained.
• A little more information about the voiceovers.
• Discuss institution sources and public service broadcasters.
In Conclusion ..
Getting all this feedback from our teacher and the class, we were able to understand our weakness and learn how to better improve them. Of course it was also good getting positive feedback from the teacher and the class as we were able to identify our strong points as well as our weak points.
After this, we are now more aware of what we are suppose to do, and what our next steps are suppose to be whilst planning to shoot and edit our production. We have a better insight of the kind of research we should be doing and where to possible find the best sources for the best research.
• Within some slides, the order could have been changed around to make the order a little more understanding.
• Some extra research needed into the documentary genre.
• More information on the main conventions.
• Some audience theories should have been fully explained.
• A little more information about the voiceovers.
• Discuss institution sources and public service broadcasters.
In Conclusion ..
Getting all this feedback from our teacher and the class, we were able to understand our weakness and learn how to better improve them. Of course it was also good getting positive feedback from the teacher and the class as we were able to identify our strong points as well as our weak points.
After this, we are now more aware of what we are suppose to do, and what our next steps are suppose to be whilst planning to shoot and edit our production. We have a better insight of the kind of research we should be doing and where to possible find the best sources for the best research.
What Went Well ..
Myself and Ardit were told to complete a presentation relating to our linked production. Our PowerPoint presentation included plenty of pictures and text and a brief summary elaborating on each of the points whilst giving feedback to the class about our production. Whilst presenting, the overall atmosphere and the attitude of the audience was positive and this therefore made us perform more openly, trying to sell our idea to the teacher. After we had finished our presentation we received feedback from each member of the class, including the teacher, on the good points about our presentation and performance, and on contrast, the negative points about our presentation and performance. Whilst the audience kept giving feedback, we recorded down our goods and bad.
• According to the class, our presentation was understandable and had a lot of simplicity.
• In terms of performance, they liked the way we showed plenty of eye contact and also engaging them by showing a bit of humour.
• Mr Bush suggested that the style of the presentation was pretty decent.
• Effective images were used.
• Most slides had concise wording.
• Some audience theories were refined.
• According to the class, our presentation was understandable and had a lot of simplicity.
• In terms of performance, they liked the way we showed plenty of eye contact and also engaging them by showing a bit of humour.
• Mr Bush suggested that the style of the presentation was pretty decent.
• Effective images were used.
• Most slides had concise wording.
• Some audience theories were refined.
Planning & Research - Action Plan..
Week 1 - Getting hold of camcorders and finalising out our research for the locations of your shots in out documentary.
Week 2 - Trying to get as much relevant interview shots with teenagers that associate with street fighting. Start to edit aswell.
Week 3 - Reconstruction work of street fighting. Continue To Edit.
Week 4 - Other views on street fighting from people of all ages trying to get their views on it. Continue editing.
Week 5 - Editing our work.
Research.
During this process we will be using a lot of research for our documentary as we will need to find out how professional documentaries really look like and how they are presented. This will enable us to get a professional standard for ourselves when doing our documentary. We will be using the internet to find out top and aesthetically pleasing documentaries so we could almost replicate that for our needs.
Weekly Progress.
So far my self and Ardit have managed to identify a number of different documentaries and looked at how we will be producing out documentary as the artistic of the documentary is very important. We have also managed to discuss what issues will be raising from street fighting.
Week 2 - Trying to get as much relevant interview shots with teenagers that associate with street fighting. Start to edit aswell.
Week 3 - Reconstruction work of street fighting. Continue To Edit.
Week 4 - Other views on street fighting from people of all ages trying to get their views on it. Continue editing.
Week 5 - Editing our work.
Research.
During this process we will be using a lot of research for our documentary as we will need to find out how professional documentaries really look like and how they are presented. This will enable us to get a professional standard for ourselves when doing our documentary. We will be using the internet to find out top and aesthetically pleasing documentaries so we could almost replicate that for our needs.
Weekly Progress.
So far my self and Ardit have managed to identify a number of different documentaries and looked at how we will be producing out documentary as the artistic of the documentary is very important. We have also managed to discuss what issues will be raising from street fighting.
Tuesday 2 February 2010
First Draft - An investigation into how black British teens that become involved in street crime are represented in the media.
"My Bro from down the road yeah...Got sent away for 7 and a half Years for holding his Fork... Justa Fork Blud, he was feeding his baby."[1]
This essay will argue how black British teens that become involved in street crime are represented in the media. This essay will also dispute why these young black British adolescents are involved in street crime in the first place. We can agree that street crime has become an increasing talking point over the past year or so having seen a dramatic increase of both gun and knife. “We won’t stop this by pretending it isn’t young black kids doing it,” he said[2] this suggests that it is actually the young black British teens who are in the driving seat and are the main ones to blame. Therefore finding out how much of that statement is actually true. At the same time, the dramatic increase in street crime would not have happen if there were more and more police on road to make the public feel safer and not to worry about any young teens.
Ever since the slavery days black people have been somewhat subject to controversy for many years. In this day and age, there is still negative label which lingers over the black culture. Stereotypes have occurred to black people because of the ways that they conduct themselves on the streets, and the way in which they draw attention. Stereotypes within the black ethnic group transpire because of the way they dress, for instance wearing big black hoodies, baseball caps and have their trousers somewhat low down. “US gangster films such as Get rich or die tryin has countless features which enable young adolescents to replicate”[3] starring the likes of 50 cent who is known to be a global icon for young youths today. These conventions are artificial for the black British teens to convey on our streets and commit these streets. “Wars, murders, racist attacks are part of the seemingly endless flow of media representation of black British teens” [4]. On the other hand, a cultural theorist and sociologist Stuart Hall talks about the misrepresentations of black people go through from the media along with the negative representations which are illustrated in society. This highlights the impact of the media on people and may not address the negative representations. This essay will argue the ways that black people are being represented in the media and whether they are true or not.
Historically, black people have been represented in the bad light and rarely ever spoken highly of. Having said that, only recently has the world witnessed the most powerful person in the world and has been a breakthrough with having a new black president. But how does this have a positive impact on the British society? Historical references show how the media uses images of black thugs in order to impose moral panic upon society. "It’s not possible to know why black people are serving longer sentences than whites, other than that a high proportion of black people are convicted of offences involving drugs, street crime"[5] a moral panic which was lead to a great deal of injustice and racism society and a at unease that remains today. This corresponds to the issue of the misrepresentation as it is seemed to be very difficult to label all black people by images. In addition, it further shows that the ways where which black British teens have been treated in the past has been unacceptable whereas white people have never been shown in this light as “thugs” or convicted murderers.
"Overall black workers earn less than white workers"[6] black people have largely portrayed as part of the mainstream low class/middle class which does not accurately reflect the lives of the black people who which consider find themselves barred from such a life as highly developed. This connotes as a further stereotype as it is known that the working class black people are according to the stereotype is more likely to cause controversy with others. "street crime occurs when gangs spend much of their time, energy disrespecting rival gangs and other teenagers that do not look familiar with them"[7] To fully understand stereotypes held against black characters and how these representations might have changed. “Blacks are natural causes of tension within films”[8], this creates a momentous importance as to why black British teens were given a tough upbringing in terms of the media having to deal with the repeatedly negative news reports. However, this soon moves on as blacks understand their rights and create their own opinions on other black people when they see other black reported in the media in a negative way. Moving on from the negative vibes from the media that the blacks have been receiving the rise of black entertainers and performers changed the way they were portrayed as they moved from an obvious to a slight representation as the comedy era become famous within the black ethnic group. From this we had performers such as Richard Pryor who is known to be one of the funniest comedians of all time which shows that the blacks are slowly but surely have their grip in society as positive consumers.
When looking at the genre of some films that black British teens play is typically gangster as well as being action packed movie genres. Some of the genres have been represented in gangster and comedy is both leading categories. “Comedy success has also come from more recent generation of black performers such as Will Smith, Chris Tucker, and Chris Rock to what extent of that statement do you believe is true?”. Well, the new beckon of comedy era changed the way black people, actors; actresses were being portrayed as it has changed them from being represented as servants, uncivilised and Niggers to be more a happy thoughtful and funny people as all American comedy shows i.e. Are We Done Yet? (2007) and Daddy Day Camp (2007). This emphasis that institutions for instance Warner Bros still transmit black people as interior to white people as they have distorted their image which does not give permission to the audiences to realise with the black actors in the film. New York, Oprah Winfrey has reclaimed the title of being the most popular celebrity on TV in a new poll. Oprah Winfrey is one of the fairly minority women to have establish a personal as a distinctive, characteristic as well as being extremely wealthy. Oprah Winfrey has also established herself as a bit of a Hollywood comedian in recent years in her talk show. Therefore, Oprah Winfrey unquestionably can be an iconic figure to many black British teens that watches her show and follows her every move as there are loyal fans and want to aspire to be like her. She is portrayed very wealthy, very sophisticated and elegant women who are going against the dominant stereotypes of black people in general and in the media.
Colors is a 1988 police procedural crime film starring the likes of Sean Penn and Robert Duvall which the narrative that takes place is in south central, Los Angeles and is about an experienced LAPD cop (Duvall) and his rookie partner (Penn) who try to keep the gang violence between the Bloods and Crips at bay “I’m a black British teen and joining a gang is dangerous” [9]. “Violent conflict between gangs are common, and gang members are at least 60 times more likely to be killed than the rest of the population"[10]. This film portrays how difficult it was for black people to achieve liberty that they want to gain particularly in these hard times. This film highlights evident violence that black teenagers are facing each other. When hegemony takes place within the youths of black people, they result fiercely as they believe that they are the only people that control what happens in their area and their gang/crew. Sean Penn who is the officer who has just transferred to LAPD’s unit from patrol teamed with 19 year old veteran Robert Duvall he is a hot-headed adrenaline junkie.
This film caused somewhat debate across America as the director implied how these youths are acting upon one another and how they destroy one another. This movie also raised some eye brows as the director was accused of just showing how abusive and destructive these youths are having no self respect. "Racism is what happens when ways of labelling and stereotyping people. That’s when gangs form these street crimes"[11]. This left off screen opinions of not just black youths but also black people as a whole as they were portrayed within the film as the black characters were shown to have no remorse between one another with two identical gangs doing what has to be done to defend their so called “ends”. The fact that both police men are white actors this connotes the treatment of black people in films to be inferior to white people as they are the police which shows a sense of hegemony and black teenagers don’t like that especially if they are white people. "Young teenagers resolve to crime because of the racial abuse that they might believe still exists"[12] this can be seen as black character are exposed and misinterpreted within this movie.
Taking it back in time, where black people were exploited to slavery many films have taken advantage of this and decided to replicate what had happen to modern day issue with street crime increasing but both gun and knife crime. The way that the black characters were portrayed within films has given the black people something to consider when they are acting aggressively so that this way they could turn away the stereotypes that might be reinforced by the media nowadays. "White people using their power to exclude black or Asian people from opportunities for good health care, education and employment"[13] suggests that black people shouldn’t have the top level success and therefore should remain a lower class and remain with lower class jobs. However, positive British movie directors such as Noel Anthony Clarke have increased with Noel Clarke being one of many black British teens’ role models having won a BAFTA award winning English actor, director and screenwriter from London. He is best known for playing Wyman Norris in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Mickey Smith in Doctor Who. Clarke appeared in and wrote the screenplay for Kidulthood and wrote, directed and starred in the sequel, Adulthood which gained £1, 209, 2319 from the opening weekend of its release. The success of Noel Clarke has moved from negative representation of black British people from the media to the new era of multi talented actor. With the burst of new Black British actors as well as directors was on the verge of changing the representation of black characters within the films also in the media and what positive affects this could bring to people. Vice versa, the increase across the world in positive black role models for the media and other people to realise has changed the way they are being portrayed as they gone away from the visible unenthusiastic stereotype as the action period started. This is the ideal time with the number of black British teens involved in street crime increasing in the UK and having successful idols such as Noel Clarke playing his role to remove all the negative patches that the black people have by having such fantastic early success and proving the media wrong that not all black British people are all the same in terms of going out and causing crime. In the sequel of kidulthood, adulthood has many positive scenarios that the blacks’ British teens face on a regular day. Clarkes demeanour in adulthood connotes the way black people are not always after revenge and not wanting to fight back at their fellow blacks which emphasis that black people just need that wake up call so show them some sense that street crime isn’t the way. Contrastingly, the dominant representations of black characters this film challenges the stereotypes and shows the protagonist (Noel Clarke) as being strong, intelligent and single minded man which is an alternative representation but one that does not pull the wool over your eyes black of people.
Word Count - 2,065
[1] Luton, George – 1999 - Representation on Race.pg 36.
[2] 10 Black People and The Criminal law - Braham, Peter (1992).Pg. 85.
[3] ibid. Pg106.
[4] Robert Ferguson. (1998) By Arnold (Hoddle Headline Group).pg 47.
[5] Gifford, Clive - Gang (2006).pg.66.
[6] Ibid.pg32.
[7] Gifford, Clive - Gang (2006), London - Evans Brothers Limited.pg.50
[8] Wignall, Paul - Prejudice & Difference (2000) - Reed Educational and Professional Publishing LtD.pg.111.
[9] Striniatic, Dominic (1995) by Routledge.pg578
[10] Ibid.pg480.
[11] Race, And Unemployment - Donnellan, Craig - Published by Independence. (2003).pg.124.
Bibliography
Works Cited
Books
Humpfry, Jay - Published by Heward Ellen - Black Culture (2000)
Luton, George - Published By Phil David - Representation on Race (1999)
10 Black People And The Criminal law - Braham, Peter - Rattansi, Ali - Racism and antiracism (1992) - London, SAGE Publications LtD.
Robert Ferguson, First published in (1998) By Arnold (Hoddle Headline Group)
Gifford, Clive - Gang (2006), London - Evans Brothers Limited.
Wignall, Paul - Prejudice & Difference (2000) - Reed Educational and Professional Publishing LTD.
Striniatic, Dominic - First published (1995) by Routledge
Race, And Unemployment - Donnellan, Craig - Published by Independence (2003)
Phil, Cane - Published by Paul Mattson - Racism & Culture (2000)
Edward, Price - Published by Ford Knewton - Gang Culture (2001)
Internet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVYIBIlTIQs
This essay will argue how black British teens that become involved in street crime are represented in the media. This essay will also dispute why these young black British adolescents are involved in street crime in the first place. We can agree that street crime has become an increasing talking point over the past year or so having seen a dramatic increase of both gun and knife. “We won’t stop this by pretending it isn’t young black kids doing it,” he said[2] this suggests that it is actually the young black British teens who are in the driving seat and are the main ones to blame. Therefore finding out how much of that statement is actually true. At the same time, the dramatic increase in street crime would not have happen if there were more and more police on road to make the public feel safer and not to worry about any young teens.
Ever since the slavery days black people have been somewhat subject to controversy for many years. In this day and age, there is still negative label which lingers over the black culture. Stereotypes have occurred to black people because of the ways that they conduct themselves on the streets, and the way in which they draw attention. Stereotypes within the black ethnic group transpire because of the way they dress, for instance wearing big black hoodies, baseball caps and have their trousers somewhat low down. “US gangster films such as Get rich or die tryin has countless features which enable young adolescents to replicate”[3] starring the likes of 50 cent who is known to be a global icon for young youths today. These conventions are artificial for the black British teens to convey on our streets and commit these streets. “Wars, murders, racist attacks are part of the seemingly endless flow of media representation of black British teens” [4]. On the other hand, a cultural theorist and sociologist Stuart Hall talks about the misrepresentations of black people go through from the media along with the negative representations which are illustrated in society. This highlights the impact of the media on people and may not address the negative representations. This essay will argue the ways that black people are being represented in the media and whether they are true or not.
Historically, black people have been represented in the bad light and rarely ever spoken highly of. Having said that, only recently has the world witnessed the most powerful person in the world and has been a breakthrough with having a new black president. But how does this have a positive impact on the British society? Historical references show how the media uses images of black thugs in order to impose moral panic upon society. "It’s not possible to know why black people are serving longer sentences than whites, other than that a high proportion of black people are convicted of offences involving drugs, street crime"[5] a moral panic which was lead to a great deal of injustice and racism society and a at unease that remains today. This corresponds to the issue of the misrepresentation as it is seemed to be very difficult to label all black people by images. In addition, it further shows that the ways where which black British teens have been treated in the past has been unacceptable whereas white people have never been shown in this light as “thugs” or convicted murderers.
"Overall black workers earn less than white workers"[6] black people have largely portrayed as part of the mainstream low class/middle class which does not accurately reflect the lives of the black people who which consider find themselves barred from such a life as highly developed. This connotes as a further stereotype as it is known that the working class black people are according to the stereotype is more likely to cause controversy with others. "street crime occurs when gangs spend much of their time, energy disrespecting rival gangs and other teenagers that do not look familiar with them"[7] To fully understand stereotypes held against black characters and how these representations might have changed. “Blacks are natural causes of tension within films”[8], this creates a momentous importance as to why black British teens were given a tough upbringing in terms of the media having to deal with the repeatedly negative news reports. However, this soon moves on as blacks understand their rights and create their own opinions on other black people when they see other black reported in the media in a negative way. Moving on from the negative vibes from the media that the blacks have been receiving the rise of black entertainers and performers changed the way they were portrayed as they moved from an obvious to a slight representation as the comedy era become famous within the black ethnic group. From this we had performers such as Richard Pryor who is known to be one of the funniest comedians of all time which shows that the blacks are slowly but surely have their grip in society as positive consumers.
When looking at the genre of some films that black British teens play is typically gangster as well as being action packed movie genres. Some of the genres have been represented in gangster and comedy is both leading categories. “Comedy success has also come from more recent generation of black performers such as Will Smith, Chris Tucker, and Chris Rock to what extent of that statement do you believe is true?”. Well, the new beckon of comedy era changed the way black people, actors; actresses were being portrayed as it has changed them from being represented as servants, uncivilised and Niggers to be more a happy thoughtful and funny people as all American comedy shows i.e. Are We Done Yet? (2007) and Daddy Day Camp (2007). This emphasis that institutions for instance Warner Bros still transmit black people as interior to white people as they have distorted their image which does not give permission to the audiences to realise with the black actors in the film. New York, Oprah Winfrey has reclaimed the title of being the most popular celebrity on TV in a new poll. Oprah Winfrey is one of the fairly minority women to have establish a personal as a distinctive, characteristic as well as being extremely wealthy. Oprah Winfrey has also established herself as a bit of a Hollywood comedian in recent years in her talk show. Therefore, Oprah Winfrey unquestionably can be an iconic figure to many black British teens that watches her show and follows her every move as there are loyal fans and want to aspire to be like her. She is portrayed very wealthy, very sophisticated and elegant women who are going against the dominant stereotypes of black people in general and in the media.
Colors is a 1988 police procedural crime film starring the likes of Sean Penn and Robert Duvall which the narrative that takes place is in south central, Los Angeles and is about an experienced LAPD cop (Duvall) and his rookie partner (Penn) who try to keep the gang violence between the Bloods and Crips at bay “I’m a black British teen and joining a gang is dangerous” [9]. “Violent conflict between gangs are common, and gang members are at least 60 times more likely to be killed than the rest of the population"[10]. This film portrays how difficult it was for black people to achieve liberty that they want to gain particularly in these hard times. This film highlights evident violence that black teenagers are facing each other. When hegemony takes place within the youths of black people, they result fiercely as they believe that they are the only people that control what happens in their area and their gang/crew. Sean Penn who is the officer who has just transferred to LAPD’s unit from patrol teamed with 19 year old veteran Robert Duvall he is a hot-headed adrenaline junkie.
This film caused somewhat debate across America as the director implied how these youths are acting upon one another and how they destroy one another. This movie also raised some eye brows as the director was accused of just showing how abusive and destructive these youths are having no self respect. "Racism is what happens when ways of labelling and stereotyping people. That’s when gangs form these street crimes"[11]. This left off screen opinions of not just black youths but also black people as a whole as they were portrayed within the film as the black characters were shown to have no remorse between one another with two identical gangs doing what has to be done to defend their so called “ends”. The fact that both police men are white actors this connotes the treatment of black people in films to be inferior to white people as they are the police which shows a sense of hegemony and black teenagers don’t like that especially if they are white people. "Young teenagers resolve to crime because of the racial abuse that they might believe still exists"[12] this can be seen as black character are exposed and misinterpreted within this movie.
Taking it back in time, where black people were exploited to slavery many films have taken advantage of this and decided to replicate what had happen to modern day issue with street crime increasing but both gun and knife crime. The way that the black characters were portrayed within films has given the black people something to consider when they are acting aggressively so that this way they could turn away the stereotypes that might be reinforced by the media nowadays. "White people using their power to exclude black or Asian people from opportunities for good health care, education and employment"[13] suggests that black people shouldn’t have the top level success and therefore should remain a lower class and remain with lower class jobs. However, positive British movie directors such as Noel Anthony Clarke have increased with Noel Clarke being one of many black British teens’ role models having won a BAFTA award winning English actor, director and screenwriter from London. He is best known for playing Wyman Norris in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Mickey Smith in Doctor Who. Clarke appeared in and wrote the screenplay for Kidulthood and wrote, directed and starred in the sequel, Adulthood which gained £1, 209, 2319 from the opening weekend of its release. The success of Noel Clarke has moved from negative representation of black British people from the media to the new era of multi talented actor. With the burst of new Black British actors as well as directors was on the verge of changing the representation of black characters within the films also in the media and what positive affects this could bring to people. Vice versa, the increase across the world in positive black role models for the media and other people to realise has changed the way they are being portrayed as they gone away from the visible unenthusiastic stereotype as the action period started. This is the ideal time with the number of black British teens involved in street crime increasing in the UK and having successful idols such as Noel Clarke playing his role to remove all the negative patches that the black people have by having such fantastic early success and proving the media wrong that not all black British people are all the same in terms of going out and causing crime. In the sequel of kidulthood, adulthood has many positive scenarios that the blacks’ British teens face on a regular day. Clarkes demeanour in adulthood connotes the way black people are not always after revenge and not wanting to fight back at their fellow blacks which emphasis that black people just need that wake up call so show them some sense that street crime isn’t the way. Contrastingly, the dominant representations of black characters this film challenges the stereotypes and shows the protagonist (Noel Clarke) as being strong, intelligent and single minded man which is an alternative representation but one that does not pull the wool over your eyes black of people.
Word Count - 2,065
[1] Luton, George – 1999 - Representation on Race.pg 36.
[2] 10 Black People and The Criminal law - Braham, Peter (1992).Pg. 85.
[3] ibid. Pg106.
[4] Robert Ferguson. (1998) By Arnold (Hoddle Headline Group).pg 47.
[5] Gifford, Clive - Gang (2006).pg.66.
[6] Ibid.pg32.
[7] Gifford, Clive - Gang (2006), London - Evans Brothers Limited.pg.50
[8] Wignall, Paul - Prejudice & Difference (2000) - Reed Educational and Professional Publishing LtD.pg.111.
[9] Striniatic, Dominic (1995) by Routledge.pg578
[10] Ibid.pg480.
[11] Race, And Unemployment - Donnellan, Craig - Published by Independence. (2003).pg.124.
Bibliography
Works Cited
Books
Humpfry, Jay - Published by Heward Ellen - Black Culture (2000)
Luton, George - Published By Phil David - Representation on Race (1999)
10 Black People And The Criminal law - Braham, Peter - Rattansi, Ali - Racism and antiracism (1992) - London, SAGE Publications LtD.
Robert Ferguson, First published in (1998) By Arnold (Hoddle Headline Group)
Gifford, Clive - Gang (2006), London - Evans Brothers Limited.
Wignall, Paul - Prejudice & Difference (2000) - Reed Educational and Professional Publishing LTD.
Striniatic, Dominic - First published (1995) by Routledge
Race, And Unemployment - Donnellan, Craig - Published by Independence (2003)
Phil, Cane - Published by Paul Mattson - Racism & Culture (2000)
Edward, Price - Published by Ford Knewton - Gang Culture (2001)
Internet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVYIBIlTIQs
Friday 22 January 2010
An investigation into how Black British teens that become involved in street crime are represented in the media.
"My Bro from down the road yeah...Got sent away for 7 and a half Years for holding his Fork... Justa Fork Blud, he was feeding his baby."
This essay will argue how black British teens that become involved in street crime are represented in the media. This essay will also dispute why these young black British adolescents are involved in street crime in the first place. We can agree that street crime has become an increasing talking point over the past year or so having seen a dramatic increase of both gun and knife. “We won’t stop this by pretending it isn’t young black kids doing it,” he said[1] this suggests that it is actually the young black British teens who are in the driving seat and are the main ones to blame. Therefore finding out how much of that statement is actually true. At the same time, the dramatic increase in street crime would not have happen if there were more and more police on road to make the public feel safer and not to worry about any young teens.
Ever since the slavery days black people have been somewhat subject to controversy for many years. In this day and age, there is still negative label which lingers over the black culture. Stereotypes have occurred to black people because of the ways that they conduct themselves on the streets, and the way in which they draw attention. Stereotypes within the black ethnic group transpire because of the way they dress, for instance wearing big black hoodies, baseball caps and have their trousers somewhat low down. “US gangster films such as Get rich or die tryin has countless features which enable young adolescents to replicate” starring the likes of 50 cent who is known to be a global icon for young youths today. These conventions are artificial for the black British teens to convey on our streets and commit these streets. “Wars, murders, racist attacks are part of the seemingly endless flow of media representation of black British teens” [2]. On the other hand, a cultural theorist and sociologist Stuart Hall talks about the misrepresentations of black people go through from the media along with the negative representations which are illustrated in society. This highlights the impact of the media on people and may not address the negative representations. This essay will argue the ways that black people are being represented in the media and whether they are true or not.
Historically, black people have been represented in the bad light and rarely ever spoken highly of. Having said that, only recently has the world witnessed the most powerful person in the world and has been a breakthrough with having a new black president. But how does this have a positive impact on the British society? Historical references show how the media uses images of black thugs in order to impose moral panic upon society. "It’s not possible to know why black people are serving longer sentences than whites, other than that a high proportion of black people are convicted of offences involving drugs, street crime"[3] a panic which was lead to a great deal of injustice and racism society and a at unease that remains today. This corresponds to the issue of the misrepresentation as it is seemed to be very difficult to label all black people by images. In addition, it further shows that the ways where which black British teens have been treated in the past has been unacceptable whereas white people have never been shown in this light as “thugs” or convicted murderers.
"Overall black workers earn less than white workers"[4] black people have largely portrayed as part of the mainstream low class/middle class which does not accurately reflect the lives of the black people who which consider find themselves barred from such a life as highly developed. This connotes as a further stereotype as it is known that the working class black people are according to the stereotype is more likely to cause controversy with others. To fully understand stereotypes held against black characters and how these representations might have changed. “Blacks are natural causes of tension within films”[5], this creates a momentous importance as to why black British teens were given a tough upbringing in terms of the media having to deal with the repeatedly negative news reports. However, this soon moves on as blacks understand their rights and create their own opinions on other black people when they see other black reported in the media in a negative way. Moving on from the negative vibes from the media that the blacks have been receiving the rise of black entertainers and performers changed the way they were portrayed as they moved from an obvious to a slight representation as the comedy era become famous within the black ethnic group. From this we had performers such as Richard Pryor who is known to be one of the funniest comedians of all time which shows that the blacks are slowly but surely have their grip in society as positive consumers.
When looking at the genre of some films that black British teens play is typically gangster as well as being action packed movie genres. Some of the genres have been represented in gangster and comedy is both leading categories. “Comedy success has also come from more recent generation of black performers such as Will Smith, Chris Tucker, and Chris Rock to what extent of that statement do you believe is true?”. Well, the new beckon of comedy era changed the way black people, actors; actresses were being portrayed as it has changed them from being represented as servants, uncivilised and Niggers to be more a happy thoughtful and funny people as all American comedy shows i.e. Are We Done Yet? (2007) and Daddy Day Camp (2007). This emphasis that institutions for instance Warner Bros still transmit black people as interior to white people as they have distorted their image which does not give permission to the audiences to realise with the black actors in the film. New York, Oprah Winfrey has reclaimed the title of being the most popular celebrity on TV in a new poll. Oprah Winfrey is one of the fairly minority women to have establish a personal as a distinctive, characteristic as well as being extremely wealthy. Oprah Winfrey has also established herself as a bit of a Hollywood comedian in recent years in her talk show. Therefore, Oprah Winfrey unquestionably can be an iconic figure to many black British teens that watches her show and follows her every move as there are loyal fans and want to aspire to be like her. She is portrayed very wealthy, very sophisticated and elegant women who are going against the dominant stereotypes of black people in general and in the media.
Bibliography..
1) Robert Ferguson, First published in (1998) By Arnold (Hoddle Headline Group)
2)Striniatic, Dominic - First published (1995) by Routledge
3)Race, And Unemployment - Donnellan, Craig - Published by Independence (2003)
4)Gifford, Clive - Gang (2006), London - Evans Brothers Limited.
This essay will argue how black British teens that become involved in street crime are represented in the media. This essay will also dispute why these young black British adolescents are involved in street crime in the first place. We can agree that street crime has become an increasing talking point over the past year or so having seen a dramatic increase of both gun and knife. “We won’t stop this by pretending it isn’t young black kids doing it,” he said[1] this suggests that it is actually the young black British teens who are in the driving seat and are the main ones to blame. Therefore finding out how much of that statement is actually true. At the same time, the dramatic increase in street crime would not have happen if there were more and more police on road to make the public feel safer and not to worry about any young teens.
Ever since the slavery days black people have been somewhat subject to controversy for many years. In this day and age, there is still negative label which lingers over the black culture. Stereotypes have occurred to black people because of the ways that they conduct themselves on the streets, and the way in which they draw attention. Stereotypes within the black ethnic group transpire because of the way they dress, for instance wearing big black hoodies, baseball caps and have their trousers somewhat low down. “US gangster films such as Get rich or die tryin has countless features which enable young adolescents to replicate” starring the likes of 50 cent who is known to be a global icon for young youths today. These conventions are artificial for the black British teens to convey on our streets and commit these streets. “Wars, murders, racist attacks are part of the seemingly endless flow of media representation of black British teens” [2]. On the other hand, a cultural theorist and sociologist Stuart Hall talks about the misrepresentations of black people go through from the media along with the negative representations which are illustrated in society. This highlights the impact of the media on people and may not address the negative representations. This essay will argue the ways that black people are being represented in the media and whether they are true or not.
Historically, black people have been represented in the bad light and rarely ever spoken highly of. Having said that, only recently has the world witnessed the most powerful person in the world and has been a breakthrough with having a new black president. But how does this have a positive impact on the British society? Historical references show how the media uses images of black thugs in order to impose moral panic upon society. "It’s not possible to know why black people are serving longer sentences than whites, other than that a high proportion of black people are convicted of offences involving drugs, street crime"[3] a panic which was lead to a great deal of injustice and racism society and a at unease that remains today. This corresponds to the issue of the misrepresentation as it is seemed to be very difficult to label all black people by images. In addition, it further shows that the ways where which black British teens have been treated in the past has been unacceptable whereas white people have never been shown in this light as “thugs” or convicted murderers.
"Overall black workers earn less than white workers"[4] black people have largely portrayed as part of the mainstream low class/middle class which does not accurately reflect the lives of the black people who which consider find themselves barred from such a life as highly developed. This connotes as a further stereotype as it is known that the working class black people are according to the stereotype is more likely to cause controversy with others. To fully understand stereotypes held against black characters and how these representations might have changed. “Blacks are natural causes of tension within films”[5], this creates a momentous importance as to why black British teens were given a tough upbringing in terms of the media having to deal with the repeatedly negative news reports. However, this soon moves on as blacks understand their rights and create their own opinions on other black people when they see other black reported in the media in a negative way. Moving on from the negative vibes from the media that the blacks have been receiving the rise of black entertainers and performers changed the way they were portrayed as they moved from an obvious to a slight representation as the comedy era become famous within the black ethnic group. From this we had performers such as Richard Pryor who is known to be one of the funniest comedians of all time which shows that the blacks are slowly but surely have their grip in society as positive consumers.
When looking at the genre of some films that black British teens play is typically gangster as well as being action packed movie genres. Some of the genres have been represented in gangster and comedy is both leading categories. “Comedy success has also come from more recent generation of black performers such as Will Smith, Chris Tucker, and Chris Rock to what extent of that statement do you believe is true?”. Well, the new beckon of comedy era changed the way black people, actors; actresses were being portrayed as it has changed them from being represented as servants, uncivilised and Niggers to be more a happy thoughtful and funny people as all American comedy shows i.e. Are We Done Yet? (2007) and Daddy Day Camp (2007). This emphasis that institutions for instance Warner Bros still transmit black people as interior to white people as they have distorted their image which does not give permission to the audiences to realise with the black actors in the film. New York, Oprah Winfrey has reclaimed the title of being the most popular celebrity on TV in a new poll. Oprah Winfrey is one of the fairly minority women to have establish a personal as a distinctive, characteristic as well as being extremely wealthy. Oprah Winfrey has also established herself as a bit of a Hollywood comedian in recent years in her talk show. Therefore, Oprah Winfrey unquestionably can be an iconic figure to many black British teens that watches her show and follows her every move as there are loyal fans and want to aspire to be like her. She is portrayed very wealthy, very sophisticated and elegant women who are going against the dominant stereotypes of black people in general and in the media.
Bibliography..
1) Robert Ferguson, First published in (1998) By Arnold (Hoddle Headline Group)
2)Striniatic, Dominic - First published (1995) by Routledge
3)Race, And Unemployment - Donnellan, Craig - Published by Independence (2003)
4)Gifford, Clive - Gang (2006), London - Evans Brothers Limited.
Wednesday 20 January 2010
MEST 4 Xmas Task #3
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/4241/Are-young-black-kids-to-blame-for-the-gun-and-knife-crimewave
This article shown above is from the daily express talking about the increase of knife and gun crime and whether young black kids are to blame for the gun and knife crime wave that UK are currently witnessing. This article was displayed a long time ago in April 2007 whilst Tony Blair who was the former prime minister was in charge. Tony Blair felt that the young black British teens are the ones to blame. Having said that, he strongly believed that it was the fault of black teens committing these crimes as he is quoted in the article saying “We won’t stop this by pretending it isn’t young black kids doing it,”
This outburst has not only had a negative response from the audience but also the MPs. In which there response was provoked exasperation among victims’ groups and MPs. This article was showing how the number of not only knife crime but also gun crime as increased which has expectably caught the attention of the British government with death toll increasing ever so much.
This article has nothing in the matter of consideration for those lost ones as ruthless as it sounds this article have no consideration to those who have lost their children, partners and loved ones. I believe that this sums up the article as inconsiderate and only want to get what they believe is true in terms of who to blame for the tragic losses. As mentioned above, this article was published in early 2007 highlighting another young innocent victim of knife crime. In addition, the reason why I chose this particular article was because it interested me also because of how thoughtless it was to the people who may have lost their children and all it discusses about was what Mr Blair said.
This article has displayed typical skills of reinforcing stereotypes as they have put a hot topic from the news into their daily newspaper only giving from one point of view. Having done that, the daily express have then allowed the audience to have their say knowing that they have just been fed information from a different perspective. In addition, the question on whether black British teens are the ones to blame for the increase of gun and knife crime has allowed parts of the audience to agree with the institution who are arguably incorrect.
This article shown above is from the daily express talking about the increase of knife and gun crime and whether young black kids are to blame for the gun and knife crime wave that UK are currently witnessing. This article was displayed a long time ago in April 2007 whilst Tony Blair who was the former prime minister was in charge. Tony Blair felt that the young black British teens are the ones to blame. Having said that, he strongly believed that it was the fault of black teens committing these crimes as he is quoted in the article saying “We won’t stop this by pretending it isn’t young black kids doing it,”
This outburst has not only had a negative response from the audience but also the MPs. In which there response was provoked exasperation among victims’ groups and MPs. This article was showing how the number of not only knife crime but also gun crime as increased which has expectably caught the attention of the British government with death toll increasing ever so much.
This article has nothing in the matter of consideration for those lost ones as ruthless as it sounds this article have no consideration to those who have lost their children, partners and loved ones. I believe that this sums up the article as inconsiderate and only want to get what they believe is true in terms of who to blame for the tragic losses. As mentioned above, this article was published in early 2007 highlighting another young innocent victim of knife crime. In addition, the reason why I chose this particular article was because it interested me also because of how thoughtless it was to the people who may have lost their children and all it discusses about was what Mr Blair said.
This article has displayed typical skills of reinforcing stereotypes as they have put a hot topic from the news into their daily newspaper only giving from one point of view. Having done that, the daily express have then allowed the audience to have their say knowing that they have just been fed information from a different perspective. In addition, the question on whether black British teens are the ones to blame for the increase of gun and knife crime has allowed parts of the audience to agree with the institution who are arguably incorrect.
MEST 4 Xmas Task #5
In my introduction I will be briefly explaining my critical investigation an the reasons why I have chosen to discuss about this particular topic. Furthermore, I will also be trying to research the reasons as to why young black British teens commit crimes. During this essay I will also be talking about why I have chosen this topic and this area of focus.
1st paragraph
In the first paragraph I will be discussing reasons why young black British teens commit crimes. During this investigation I will also be finding out what makes them want to commit these crimes. From the media’s point of view I will also be talking about the stereotypes of black people within the print media and other sources in order to broaden my knowledge. I will then be talking about any theorists that talk about gender and try to fit it into my investigation in terms of the most likely genders that will commit these crimes.
2nd paragraph
In the following paragraph, I will be focusing on print media and institutions such as the daily express the daily mail and the sun. In the essay will also be talking about in greater detail the reasons why I chose these institutions as my primary focus. I will also be focusing on the historical events that could have driven these young adolescents into crime. There are several things why teenagers commit street crime and during this essay a number of reasons will be given along with concrete researched information and i could draw back to when needed.
3rd paragraph
In the 3rd paragraph I will be focusing on what positive icons if you like that young teenagers can aspire to be rather than become street thugs and become some sort of intimidation towards others. Speaking of positive icons for young teenagers I will be using examples such as the current president of the USA which is Barack Hussein Obama, the likes of Thierry Henry who is a global phenomenal in his profession as he is known world wide and etc. These are just a few black role models that these young teenagers could look up to and one day become something rather than nothing.
4th paragraph
The 4th paragraph will contain information on both comparing my current investigation and the information that i have gathered up along with any historical text that i could find during this investigation. I will talk about how the stereotypes and the representations might be changing towards the minority. This will also allow me to talk about the media and the moral panics this could arise between the public and these black British teens. Moreover, I will talk about the issues and debates which can lead to these stereotypes. With each print media I look at I will also be talking about the hegemony between rivalry gangs and what part they play in this.
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5 will allow me to discussing about one gang in particular that have neither icons nor role models and trying to find out what they plan to do in the future or if they will be carrying on these street crimes for their rest of their lives. This will be important to know for my critical investigation as I will need to know in order to answer the question appropriately. This paragraph will interpret the current issues and debates along with theorists like the uses of gratification for other teenagers as they might find this entertaining and fun to hear it on the news day in and day out.
The Conclusion..
To conclude with my finished essay will be privileged of having concrete information and research into why there are so many negative stereotypes of young black British teens in print media and some element of media in general. Furthermore, the contexts that seems to be reinforcing the stereotypes of black British teens.
1st paragraph
In the first paragraph I will be discussing reasons why young black British teens commit crimes. During this investigation I will also be finding out what makes them want to commit these crimes. From the media’s point of view I will also be talking about the stereotypes of black people within the print media and other sources in order to broaden my knowledge. I will then be talking about any theorists that talk about gender and try to fit it into my investigation in terms of the most likely genders that will commit these crimes.
2nd paragraph
In the following paragraph, I will be focusing on print media and institutions such as the daily express the daily mail and the sun. In the essay will also be talking about in greater detail the reasons why I chose these institutions as my primary focus. I will also be focusing on the historical events that could have driven these young adolescents into crime. There are several things why teenagers commit street crime and during this essay a number of reasons will be given along with concrete researched information and i could draw back to when needed.
3rd paragraph
In the 3rd paragraph I will be focusing on what positive icons if you like that young teenagers can aspire to be rather than become street thugs and become some sort of intimidation towards others. Speaking of positive icons for young teenagers I will be using examples such as the current president of the USA which is Barack Hussein Obama, the likes of Thierry Henry who is a global phenomenal in his profession as he is known world wide and etc. These are just a few black role models that these young teenagers could look up to and one day become something rather than nothing.
4th paragraph
The 4th paragraph will contain information on both comparing my current investigation and the information that i have gathered up along with any historical text that i could find during this investigation. I will talk about how the stereotypes and the representations might be changing towards the minority. This will also allow me to talk about the media and the moral panics this could arise between the public and these black British teens. Moreover, I will talk about the issues and debates which can lead to these stereotypes. With each print media I look at I will also be talking about the hegemony between rivalry gangs and what part they play in this.
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5 will allow me to discussing about one gang in particular that have neither icons nor role models and trying to find out what they plan to do in the future or if they will be carrying on these street crimes for their rest of their lives. This will be important to know for my critical investigation as I will need to know in order to answer the question appropriately. This paragraph will interpret the current issues and debates along with theorists like the uses of gratification for other teenagers as they might find this entertaining and fun to hear it on the news day in and day out.
The Conclusion..
To conclude with my finished essay will be privileged of having concrete information and research into why there are so many negative stereotypes of young black British teens in print media and some element of media in general. Furthermore, the contexts that seems to be reinforcing the stereotypes of black British teens.
Monday 4 January 2010
MEST 4 Xmas Task #6, INTRODUCTION & FIRST PARAGRAPH
Critical Investigation Tittle - An Investigation into how Black British teens that become involved in street crime are represented in print media.
Introduction..
Introduction..
This essay will argue how black British teens that become involved in street crime are represented in print media. This essay will also dispute why these young black adolescents are involved in street crime in the first place. We can agree that street crime has become an increasing talking point over the past year or so having seen a dramatic increase of both gun and knife. A number of sources believe is the young black British teens who are in the driving seat and are the main ones to blame, and therefore I will be finding out how much of that statement is actually true. At the same time, I believe that street crime would not have increased if there were more and more police on road to make the public feel safer and not to worry about any young teens.
Young black British teens are becoming more involved in street crime for many reasons. One is that there aren’t any black role models that they could aspire to. Only recently have we witnessed the first black president of the United States of America but some experts are suggesting that, that isn’t enough. British based movies such as kidult hood and adulthood are not having positive impacts on them because of the nature of the texts it persists of. The major reason behind any gang related teenager that has been involved in street crime as the ambition of having lots of money, having a great deal of power to a certain extent etc.
- Street crime in DC - youth can change
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y59Hypb1gv0
2. Gangs in DC: fighting street crime by keeping crews together
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PGfXfiAnCw
3.UK Labour Party Youth Street Knife Gun Crime in UK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZARB2n1c7hQ
4.BBC1: Knife Crime in South London (ft. Nathan John)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkXXwq0h6qc&feature=related
5.KNIFE CRIME: Straight From The Streets
Sunday 3 January 2010
MEST 4 Xmas Task #2, ADDITIONAL READING
Humpfry, Jay - Published by Heward Ellen - Black Culture (2000)
"Black teens resort to violence because of the role models they have, this manily being in the music industry".
This quote will be neccessary for me when im doing my essay as it relects on my critical investigation. this quote is all about the lack of role models that young black teens have that could resort into street violence.
Luton, George - Published By Phil David - Representation on Race (1999)
"Young Teenagers resolve to crime because of the racial abuse that they might believe still exisits"
"Street crime invloves young and old teenagers that are involved in gangs"
These quotes are useful for me when doing my essay as it helps me to figure out why street crime is happening and the cause of them.
10 Black People And The Criminal law - Braham, Peter - Rattansi, Ali - Racism and antiracism (1992) - London, SAGE Publications LtD.
"Discussions of the criminalization of black people in Britian"1
"Conspiracy charges were also used against the islington 18, black youths who were also arrested because of street fighting"
"Only 35% of those arrested in Brixton, south london were granted bail"
Robert Ferguson, First published in (1998) By Arnold (Hoddle Headline Group)
"Wars, murders, racist attackts are part of the seemingly endless flow of media representation of black british teens"
"Black British teens who in which later associate in gangs are often reported in the media as a modern issue"
Gifford, Clive - Gang (2006), London - Evans Brothers Limited.
"street crime occurs when gangs spend much of their time, energy disrespecting rival gangs and other teenagers that do not look familiar with them"
"I'm a black British teen and joining a gang is dangerous. violent conflict between gangs is common, and gang members are at least 60 times more likely to be killed than the rest of the population"
Particularly the first quote gives me extra reasons as to why young teenagers become involved in street crime. And then the second quote is all about the likelyhood of what will happen when they do join gangs and streetcrime. these two quote will really be useful for me when doing my essay as i can refer back to these quotes.
Wignall, Paul - Prejudice & Difference (2000) - Reed Educational and Professional Publishing LtD.
"Racism is what happens when ways of labelling and stereotyping people. Thats when gangs form these street crimes"
"White people using their power to exclude black or Asian people from opportunities for good health care, education and employment"
"Black people make up only 5% of the United Kingdom's population. however, over 50% of the prison population is black and 40% of the black population is unemployed".
Striniatic, Dominic - First published (1995) by Routledge
"The gangster film has a number of features which can usefully be explored by younger teenagers".
"The gangster film is about law, street crime and young black teenagers".
"Its not possible to know why black people are serving longer senteces than whites, other than that a high proportion of black people are convicted of offences involving drugs, street crime".
Race, And Unemployment - Donnellan, Craig - Published by Independence (2003)
"Young black teens out of jobs so they resort to violence and street crime. Whilst in this path they will be selling drugs"
"Whilst unemployment rates increase, young black hopefulls believe that they have no choice other than to join a gang"
"Overall black workers earn less white wokers"
Phil, Cane - Published by Paul Motson - Racism & Culture (2000)
"Some street crime and violence occurs when gangs are racial to one another"
"An increase of violence due to dislikes of other gangs"
Edward, Price - Published by Ford Knewton - Gang Culture (2001)
"Gangs is a way of young teens to feel save so that they don't get targeted by others"
"Black teens resort to violence because of the role models they have, this manily being in the music industry".
This quote will be neccessary for me when im doing my essay as it relects on my critical investigation. this quote is all about the lack of role models that young black teens have that could resort into street violence.
Luton, George - Published By Phil David - Representation on Race (1999)
"Young Teenagers resolve to crime because of the racial abuse that they might believe still exisits"
"Street crime invloves young and old teenagers that are involved in gangs"
These quotes are useful for me when doing my essay as it helps me to figure out why street crime is happening and the cause of them.
10 Black People And The Criminal law - Braham, Peter - Rattansi, Ali - Racism and antiracism (1992) - London, SAGE Publications LtD.
"Discussions of the criminalization of black people in Britian"1
"Conspiracy charges were also used against the islington 18, black youths who were also arrested because of street fighting"
"Only 35% of those arrested in Brixton, south london were granted bail"
Robert Ferguson, First published in (1998) By Arnold (Hoddle Headline Group)
"Wars, murders, racist attackts are part of the seemingly endless flow of media representation of black british teens"
"Black British teens who in which later associate in gangs are often reported in the media as a modern issue"
Gifford, Clive - Gang (2006), London - Evans Brothers Limited.
"street crime occurs when gangs spend much of their time, energy disrespecting rival gangs and other teenagers that do not look familiar with them"
"I'm a black British teen and joining a gang is dangerous. violent conflict between gangs is common, and gang members are at least 60 times more likely to be killed than the rest of the population"
Particularly the first quote gives me extra reasons as to why young teenagers become involved in street crime. And then the second quote is all about the likelyhood of what will happen when they do join gangs and streetcrime. these two quote will really be useful for me when doing my essay as i can refer back to these quotes.
Wignall, Paul - Prejudice & Difference (2000) - Reed Educational and Professional Publishing LtD.
"Racism is what happens when ways of labelling and stereotyping people. Thats when gangs form these street crimes"
"White people using their power to exclude black or Asian people from opportunities for good health care, education and employment"
"Black people make up only 5% of the United Kingdom's population. however, over 50% of the prison population is black and 40% of the black population is unemployed".
Striniatic, Dominic - First published (1995) by Routledge
"The gangster film has a number of features which can usefully be explored by younger teenagers".
"The gangster film is about law, street crime and young black teenagers".
"Its not possible to know why black people are serving longer senteces than whites, other than that a high proportion of black people are convicted of offences involving drugs, street crime".
Race, And Unemployment - Donnellan, Craig - Published by Independence (2003)
"Young black teens out of jobs so they resort to violence and street crime. Whilst in this path they will be selling drugs"
"Whilst unemployment rates increase, young black hopefulls believe that they have no choice other than to join a gang"
"Overall black workers earn less white wokers"
Phil, Cane - Published by Paul Motson - Racism & Culture (2000)
"Some street crime and violence occurs when gangs are racial to one another"
"An increase of violence due to dislikes of other gangs"
Edward, Price - Published by Ford Knewton - Gang Culture (2001)
"Gangs is a way of young teens to feel save so that they don't get targeted by others"
MEST 4 Xmas Task #4, ADDITIONAL WEB RESEARCH..
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/149446/Armed-police-targeted-young-blacks
"Armed police patrols that sparked a storm of controversy were designed to target a handful of young black gunmen, it can be revealed".
This quote can be counted for to my essay to how the black british teens are being closely monitored not only by the police but armed police which shows you how dangerous teens can be. This quote can be used as evidence for my essay that nowadays black british teens are becoming more violence and ruthless.
http://www.express.co.uk/videos/v/iLyROoafMhS1/Barack-Obama-urges-teens-to-become-scientists-and-doctors
Barack Obama urges teens to "become scientists and doctors".
President Barack Obama has urged "young black Americans to have bigger dreams than becoming rap or football stars".
This quotes can also be used in my essay to argue the flipside of the black british teens and how they get involved in street crime. Where the link shows us that the president Barack Obama urges young black americans to have greater dreams rather than dreaming about being a rapper or a football star. This quote will help me with my essay as this quote is suggesting young black teens to have a positive career rather than doing else what.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/4241/Are-young-black-kids-to-blame-for-the-gun-and-knife-crimewave-
“We won’t stop this by pretending it isn’t young black kids doing it,” he said. (Tony Blair)
This quote can be beneficial for my essay as the former government is suggesting that young black kids are to blame for the increase of knife and gun crime. This quote will be interesting to use to as you wouldn' t expect this quote from a government as this could raise lots of complaints from the black community.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/52543/Search-for-black-role-models
"There needs to be a collective effort to combat underachievement and low aspirations amongst our young black men. These kids need realistic alternatives to show them that every opportunity is available to them."
I feel that this quote will be necessary for me as this quote is suggesting that young black teens in the UK need to have more positive black role modles to look up to and to hopefully follow in their footsteps. This quote is useful because they are offering positive paths for the young teens to go in.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/45960/Filmmaker-calls-for-end-to-violence
"If someone hits you you don't have to go and get your friends and hit them back. You can walk away and that's what I'm trying to say is walk away."
This quote comes from Noel Clark who is the director of the well known movies such as kidulthood and adulthood. And he is urging that young black teens to walk away from the violence that they might have face. This quote is a positive one as he telling these teens not to respond to the violence or abuse they might face.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/14218/Capital-street-crime-blitz-launched
"I would like to warn anyone who is thinking about travelling into the West End to commit crime to think again. Not only will there be more police and community safety officers out on the streets but we will be deploying undercover officers to target offenders in the area."
This quotes suggests the automatic increase in policing for those traveling to the west end because the increase of street crime. This quote also suggests there will be undercover police which will be even more difficult for thugs to comit crimes and will hopefully decrease the number of street crime. This will be useful for my essay to give another point of view from the police and what they tend to do to crack down on street crime.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-442261/Teens-worried-violence-issue-study-reveals.html
"Our consultation shows that young people are fearful for their own safety, they have few places to go and very little to do every day."
This quote suggests the little things that teens can do and therefore become more fearful of their own safety. This quote can help me in my essay as the result in street crime partcially comes from the limited things that teenagers are able to do.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1031783/I-want-mum-The-words-teenager-stabbed-death-planned-ambush-dispute-girl.html
'We as parents are very angry because nothing's being done and every single day we're burying a child.'
This quote will be helpful for me as this quote comes from the parent of the stabbed and murdered innocent victim. It always will be useful to the the perspective from the parents who have lost their love ones.
"I don't want to die" and "Where's my mum, I want my mum".
This quote comes from Shakilus who is the victim of this brutal attack on him. I believe that its always fascinating to the last words of the dying victims and to hear what the had to say. Its not always you hear words from someone who have been attacked in this manner in which i believe is useful for me to use in my essay.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2780036/Teen-murdered-in-street-attack.html
"We know who is he is but await formal identification and for next of kin to be informed. A post mortem examination will be arranged in due course."
This quote comes from a spokesman about a stabbing that has taken place in the new year. this quote will help me in my essay because it will ensure that street crime will be decreasing.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2741351/Teen-charged-with-killing-street-attack-schoolboy.html
Jaz Lasczyk, creator of one site, called him a "legend" and said "he would never be forgotten".
She added: "Miss you. You didn't deserve to be taken so young."
This quote is quite unsual from where The Sun have got this quote from. this quote is from a creator of a site suggesting the victim that has been stabbed was a legend and will never be forgotten. This quote will help me in my essay as it shows the different perspective on what someone had to say about the tragic death.
"Armed police patrols that sparked a storm of controversy were designed to target a handful of young black gunmen, it can be revealed".
This quote can be counted for to my essay to how the black british teens are being closely monitored not only by the police but armed police which shows you how dangerous teens can be. This quote can be used as evidence for my essay that nowadays black british teens are becoming more violence and ruthless.
http://www.express.co.uk/videos/v/iLyROoafMhS1/Barack-Obama-urges-teens-to-become-scientists-and-doctors
Barack Obama urges teens to "become scientists and doctors".
President Barack Obama has urged "young black Americans to have bigger dreams than becoming rap or football stars".
This quotes can also be used in my essay to argue the flipside of the black british teens and how they get involved in street crime. Where the link shows us that the president Barack Obama urges young black americans to have greater dreams rather than dreaming about being a rapper or a football star. This quote will help me with my essay as this quote is suggesting young black teens to have a positive career rather than doing else what.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/4241/Are-young-black-kids-to-blame-for-the-gun-and-knife-crimewave-
“We won’t stop this by pretending it isn’t young black kids doing it,” he said. (Tony Blair)
This quote can be beneficial for my essay as the former government is suggesting that young black kids are to blame for the increase of knife and gun crime. This quote will be interesting to use to as you wouldn' t expect this quote from a government as this could raise lots of complaints from the black community.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/52543/Search-for-black-role-models
"There needs to be a collective effort to combat underachievement and low aspirations amongst our young black men. These kids need realistic alternatives to show them that every opportunity is available to them."
I feel that this quote will be necessary for me as this quote is suggesting that young black teens in the UK need to have more positive black role modles to look up to and to hopefully follow in their footsteps. This quote is useful because they are offering positive paths for the young teens to go in.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/45960/Filmmaker-calls-for-end-to-violence
"If someone hits you you don't have to go and get your friends and hit them back. You can walk away and that's what I'm trying to say is walk away."
This quote comes from Noel Clark who is the director of the well known movies such as kidulthood and adulthood. And he is urging that young black teens to walk away from the violence that they might have face. This quote is a positive one as he telling these teens not to respond to the violence or abuse they might face.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/14218/Capital-street-crime-blitz-launched
"I would like to warn anyone who is thinking about travelling into the West End to commit crime to think again. Not only will there be more police and community safety officers out on the streets but we will be deploying undercover officers to target offenders in the area."
This quotes suggests the automatic increase in policing for those traveling to the west end because the increase of street crime. This quote also suggests there will be undercover police which will be even more difficult for thugs to comit crimes and will hopefully decrease the number of street crime. This will be useful for my essay to give another point of view from the police and what they tend to do to crack down on street crime.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-442261/Teens-worried-violence-issue-study-reveals.html
"Our consultation shows that young people are fearful for their own safety, they have few places to go and very little to do every day."
This quote suggests the little things that teens can do and therefore become more fearful of their own safety. This quote can help me in my essay as the result in street crime partcially comes from the limited things that teenagers are able to do.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1031783/I-want-mum-The-words-teenager-stabbed-death-planned-ambush-dispute-girl.html
'We as parents are very angry because nothing's being done and every single day we're burying a child.'
This quote will be helpful for me as this quote comes from the parent of the stabbed and murdered innocent victim. It always will be useful to the the perspective from the parents who have lost their love ones.
"I don't want to die" and "Where's my mum, I want my mum".
This quote comes from Shakilus who is the victim of this brutal attack on him. I believe that its always fascinating to the last words of the dying victims and to hear what the had to say. Its not always you hear words from someone who have been attacked in this manner in which i believe is useful for me to use in my essay.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2780036/Teen-murdered-in-street-attack.html
"We know who is he is but await formal identification and for next of kin to be informed. A post mortem examination will be arranged in due course."
This quote comes from a spokesman about a stabbing that has taken place in the new year. this quote will help me in my essay because it will ensure that street crime will be decreasing.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2741351/Teen-charged-with-killing-street-attack-schoolboy.html
Jaz Lasczyk, creator of one site, called him a "legend" and said "he would never be forgotten".
She added: "Miss you. You didn't deserve to be taken so young."
This quote is quite unsual from where The Sun have got this quote from. this quote is from a creator of a site suggesting the victim that has been stabbed was a legend and will never be forgotten. This quote will help me in my essay as it shows the different perspective on what someone had to say about the tragic death.
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