Christensen Article

Author and Title:
Christensen--"Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us"

Some things I understand:
Christensen wants the readers to understand that cartoons are much more than an entertaining show for children. Instead, they are making stereotypes about gender, race, money, happiness, etc. To show how this is being done her class completed a project, charting data of the stereotypes and Christensen shares some of them in the article.
One example that I enjoyed was when Christensen states, "I am uncomfortable with those messages. I don't want students to
believe that change can be bought at the mall, nor do I want them thinking
that the pinnacle of a woman's life is an "I do" that supposedly leads them
to a "happily ever after." I don't want my female students to see their "sisters" as competition (or that scarce and wonderful commodity -men." This is so true! Every little girls dreams about her wedding day as a young girl... seeing the future of being happily ever after and everything perfect. But in many cases this is not true. People can very well be happy, loving life and not married or have any intention of getting married. Another statement by the author, " They looked at how overweight people were portrayed as buffoons... They noted the absence of mothers, the wickedness of stepparents." This is true and I as well can think of many examples to support the stereotypes. Throughout the article the author uses much detail and many examples in supporting her argument. They are all very good and agreeable.

I enjoyed reading the article and I agree with Christensen. I know the media makes many portrayals that are not true, but I did not know or see how there were used in children's cartoons. No matter how hard the creators of the shows will try to not make stereotypes or say that there are none, someone will always find and be able to pick one out. It is sad, but true and I do no think that it will ever be changed. After all, if it was changed then shows would be perfect and who would want to watch a perfect show with no drama, no out of the ordinary, and no chaos?

Some things I don't understand:
--I was a little confused at the beginning or the article (first page, right side) because I wasn't sure where the author was going with it.... until I read on.
--Is there variety of people that create they shows? Why are there so many stereotypes being used?
--Did the essays make a difference (the ones that were published)? No information showed if they were successful in any way, if people agreed, if the writers were persistent with their ideas and arguments.

Connections to other texts or course themes:
--This text relates to "Media Matters" assumption that I discussed with other peers last week.
--The article seems to be what a good portion of the class will be about, because it directly discusses the media (t.v.) and all the things it portrays to the viewers.

Questions/Comments/Points to share:
--Why/how have people become so wrapped up in the media?
--How young do you think the viewers of the media start to pick up on the portrayals of stereotypes?

T H I R T E E N

When I was 13... I was in eighth grade. During my last year of middle school I remember friends, friends, friends. I was always with my friends and loved being with them. We did everything together (shopping, sleepovers, homework, babysitting, going to the movies, talking on the phone...). This was the age that I can remember wanting to always be with my friends rather than my family. I had a two year old sister at this time and even though she was cute as a button she was also a pain. On the other hand, there were times when I needed to come home. Coming home meant that I had enough of my friends and needed a break from the girls because being together too long just causes girl fights. This is when we don't talk for like 1-3 days and then everything is normal again; weird, but true. :-)

Another memory that stands out like a sore thumb in my memory was back to school shopping. It was around August and I can remember fighting with my parents because I wanted to go shopping on my own, or better yet with Dad because he always lets me get the "cool" stuff. After arguing and getting mad at my parents I got my way. Some cash was handed my way and Dad took me with him. I did some shopping on my own and some with my friends. When I was at the store I can remember thinking that I needed to pick out the coolest clothes because I was going to HIGH SCHOOL and that was a big deal.

On that note... now I just wear what I like and what I think looks good and is "cool" to me.

I'm sure much more happened in the long year that I was thirteen, but I can't remember everything. And if I don't remember it then the time was probably not that important because I can usually remember lots and lots of things.