Most recent public comments by Austin Courtney https://nowcomment.com/users/2457 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505862 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505862 Camille makes an amazing connection here, one that I had not thought of until I read her comment. Yes, racial bias in media is feeding into the problem but as Camille states I think confirmation bias IS the primary cause of minorities being represented negatively in the media. As Camille said, confirmation bias stems from preexisting beliefs and biases that many in the news media do not even think they have. Similar to Camille, I wonder if this media frame will ever be rewritten. Hopefully after graduation some of us will go into the news industry and do what we can to stop confirmation bias and rewrite the aforementioned media frames. Mon, 04 Apr 2016 19:16:07 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505831 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505831 Last class Professor Williams asked the class a question along the lines of - is watching The Wire and learning about the major themes prevalent in the series is helpful? Or does it just make us grateful that we are "winning" in this game? In my opinion, I think shows like The Wire are so important because it helps open people's eyes to the racism that still exists today in America. SO many Americans try to make ignorant statements about how racism is disappearing from our society .... etc. etc. when really many of the problems such as institutional racism and mass incarceration are only getting worse. Alexander says that she wrote this book to "stimulate a much needed conversation." I think watching The Wire and learning about topics related to the show is performing the same function for our class - to stimulate a MUCH-needed conversation. I have had so many amazing conversations with people outside of class this semester about racial injustice and have used many of the things I've learned from readings, lecture, and The Wire to help educate others about these important topics. Taking this class is important because not only does it help the members of our class learn about these deep seeded issues, but it helps prepare us to go out into the world and work towards positive change using the knowledge we've gained from this course. Mon, 04 Apr 2016 22:16:23 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505816 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505816 Alexander writes that those who have meaningful economic and social opportunities were unlikely to commit crimes, while those who go to prison are far more likely to commit crimes again in the future. Why is this the case? Are previous felons more likely to end up back in jail because they are not decent or is because once they get out of jail the only way they can make money is by getting back into the game and participating in illegal activities? I would argue in favor of the latter, but I would love to hear what other people think. Tue, 05 Apr 2016 00:52:17 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505789 https://nowcomment.com/documents/52798?scroll_to=505789 After reading the first two pages of this reading I wanted to learn more about the laws behind disenfranchisement. I found a very interesting website that offers a state by state chart of felon voting rights. The chart shows: - In 11 states, felons may lose the right to vote PERMANENTLY. - In 19 states, voting rights are restored after a felon's term of incarceration + parole + probation. - In 4 states, a felon's voting rights are restored after term of incarceration + parole. - In 14 states, a felon's voting rights are restored after term of incarceration. - In 2 states, Maine and Vermont, convicted felons may vote by absentee ballot while in prison. For more info see: http://felonvoting.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000286. Mon, 04 Apr 2016 16:41:44 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=484955 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=484955 I think Aislyn highlights many important points. I agree, I do not think it is fair to place blame entirely on a school system for the fate of a student. However, I do believe individual teachers do heavily influence the potential of their students. I believe that there are teachers out there who have completed turned students' lives around and have made unsurpassed efforts to reach out to those struggling and to relate to them. I also believe there are teachers out there who let students fall behind and who do not take the time to fully invest in struggling students. There are so many factors that play into a student's ability to perform well in school - their parents, friends, family, environment, the list goes on and on. Although these factors play major roles in a student's outcome, I do believe that teachers have a lot of pull in determining the potential success, or failure, of struggling students. Wed, 02 Mar 2016 11:48:28 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=484926 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=484926 Caroline highlights an extremely important and valuable question - do the children at Edward Tilghman Middle School misbehave in class because they find it difficult to trust their teachers or persons of authority? Growing up in a fairly racially and economically diverse public middle and high school, I always got really upset (internally) when students would blatantly disrespect teachers or other persons of authority. I just assumed they had not been raised well and their parents had not taught them basic manners and how to treat people. I never even thought of the idea that maybe kids were acting out because they did not trust the teachers. Maybe they were acting disrespectful because they felt they needed to guard themselves in some way. I agree with Caroline, I do believe many of the children in The Wire are somewhat decent, however they act out because they do not trust those involved of the powerful institutions that are constantly pushing them and their families down. Wed, 02 Mar 2016 11:40:55 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483706 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483706 Within this extremely disheartening piece by Kozol, I found this tidbit to be one of the only places in which an institution actually does the right thing. I have a lot of respect for the journalists that accompanied Kozol to Martinique, seeking to expose the corruption occurring within the walls of that horrific place. These journalists, although took a beating, remind me of David Simon - ex reporter for Baltimore Sun, left because he was dissatisfied with how the paper was operating. These journalists and Simon highlight the idea of the news media working as the Fourth Estate. I believe this is an amazing example of good journalism because they are checking those in powerful positions and holding them accountable. I would love to see if Nightline was able to put together a piece on this or not. Wed, 02 Mar 2016 12:31:12 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483702 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49882?scroll_to=483702 Wow - this reading is extremely heavy. I am struggling to grapple with Vicky's roller coaster of a life. I am left feeling proud that Lisette "made it," against all odds, even with multiple societal institutions against her. While I am proud of Lisette, I am extremely sad that Eric was pushed so far as to kill himself. This reading is extremely frustrating because it demonstrates and illuminates racial injustice and how many African Americans are repeatedly knocked down over and over again by powerful institutions within society. Even with Dr. Edwards and the Church by their side, Vicky and her family still could not make it out. From living in the Martinique hotel, Prince Georges, and then experiencing constant ups and downs in Montana, Vicky and her family's story is extremely unsettling... and that is why is important that we read stories like these and share them. The Wire captures audiences the same way this story does, making it nearly impossible to not see the racial injustice that is occurring. Stories like this, although difficult to hear, are significantly important to hear. Tue, 01 Mar 2016 23:48:10 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481920 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481920 I think Chelsea highlights an important idea - the fact that besides D'Angelo and Donnette's child, The Wire leaves young children out of the narrative. This is interesting and ties into a discussion above about the show and its failure to touch on the theme of religion. What other themes or major life moments does The Wire neglect? Since the show does not touch on people having babies and religion does this make The Wire a less legitimate or less real interpretation of Baltimore? Mon, 29 Feb 2016 17:33:58 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481916 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481916 Caroline draws attention to a very important point. Prior to this reading and her comment I had not recognized how little religion is mentioned in The Wire. I am not sure if African Americans in Baltimore do not attend church as much as other blacks in cities but I am surprised The Wire does not address the institution of the church and religion as a whole more often. I think religion plays an important role for enough people for it to be addressed in a show like The Wire. Although addressed in season 4, I wish the show touched on religion more throughout the series. Mon, 29 Feb 2016 17:27:51 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481912 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481912 This part instantly reminded me of the Moskos reading from last week. Moskos emphasized that far too often people are dealing strictly because the legal job market offers few other real alternatives (72). I think Anderson/Du Bois' argument echoes the same notion as Moskos, adding that often times blacks turn to "hustling" in the underground economy due to their lack of trust in mainstream institutions. I feel both authors offer an important insight to this issue and I enjoy how Anderson expands on this problem even more, Mon, 29 Feb 2016 17:19:35 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481907 https://nowcomment.com/documents/49884?scroll_to=481907 Du Bois' social organization of the black community is super interesting to me. Anderson highlights Du Bois' typology which identifies 4 different classes within the black community. It is fascinating to me that within society there is not just one overarching class system - although there are some who might be inclined to argue that society is broken into upper class, middle class, and lower class. For me, this was an important point to address because far too often I see myself thinking about class too simplistically, often failing to recognize that there are certainly classes within classes. Mon, 29 Feb 2016 17:10:13 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=454741 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=454741 Carolyn makes a fascinating point. I could not agree more with the connection between shows such as Making a Murderer blurring the line between news and entertainment. Similar to The Wire, Making a Murderer seeks to inform the public and expose corruption in the criminal justice system. Although the star of the Netflix documentary show's star, Steven Avery, was all over the news years ago, people did not pay as much attention to him and his case when it was covered by traditional media outlets. Yet, when Avery's case was framed via a Netflix series, people across the country took interest. Very interesting point. Wed, 03 Feb 2016 10:37:24 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=454700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=454700 Margaret makes an extremely valuable point, emphasizing how Simon is able to expose and highlight difficult issues in ways that traditional journalism and the media can not. What Simon did through The Wire reminds me of what comedians like Stephen Colbert are doing when using comedy to critic powerful institutions. Why does it have to be this way? Why does it take a fictional HBO series to truly expose the corruption and struggles that are taking place in Baltimore and why does it take a comedy show to actually check institutions and individuals in power? As regular citizens and media studies students what can we do to change the system of journalism in place? Wed, 03 Feb 2016 10:29:38 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=454485 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=454485 I feel strongly that The Wire would not have been as successful if it had been on another channel besides HBO. Regular channels such as NBC, Fox, ABC, etc., cater their shows to broad audiences of people who want to see a happy ending at the end of each episode. The Wire is a show unlike any other and differs from standard Hollywood films because it does not always offer its audience a happy ending. It takes a particular kind of viewer to appreciate the realness of The Wire. Wed, 03 Feb 2016 10:19:14 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=454425 https://nowcomment.com/documents/46407?scroll_to=454425 By creating The Wire, Simon has done something many reporters who feel betrayed by newspapers wish they could do. But not every reporter who feels betrayed by the bureaucratic news and justice system has the means or connections to create a show like The Wire to expose such controversial topics. What are other ways in which reporters who are dissatisfied with the current system express themselves? Wed, 03 Feb 2016 11:59:55 -0500