Talking Points #4 Christensen

Christensen argues that media provided to children, specifically cartoons, literature, and television, perpetuate existing stereotypes and biases, in regard to race, sex and class. She instructs children and adults on how to identify, analyze and most importantly take action against this system.

• "The messages, or 'secret education', linked with the security of their homes, underscore the power these texts deliver. As Tatum's research suggests, the stereotypes and worldview embedded in teh stories become accepted knowledge"

Her idea of secret education is critical to her theory. She believes that children are being educated by the media sources that are revealed to them. If these media sources contain elements of bias, racism, and stereotypes, children will become privy to them. With this in mind, it is important for parents and adults to be aware of exactly what children are learning from the media. The consequences of perpetuating the harmful effects of the media have proven to be dangerous.

• "They accept the inequalities in power and exploitative economic relationships. Their acceptance teaches me how deep the roots of these myths are planted"

She is commenting on the deep-rooted myths that these children have accepted, in terms of who has power in our culture. She us upset with not only the fact that children are exposed to these myths, but that they have accepted them as reality. This is why it is important to be aware of these things early, so that children dont accept them as reality. It is important to realize that children's concept of reality is something that is constructed in their youth, and something that stays with them for their entire life.

• "Instead of leaving students full of bile, standing around with their hands on their hips, shaking their head about how bad the world is, I provided them the oppurtunity to make a difference"

This comment proves her passion for the children to take action. It is very common for people to identify things in the world that are wrong and unjust, but to actually take action is extremely important. It is important to teach children how to take action and what to take action against. I think that this aspect of her writing is the most important.

I enjoyed reading this article. It is well written and gets to the point. It guides you through her experience with her students. The article being written by a teacher gives it more validity. The article is inspiring when it shows the actual success that Christensen, and the students had. My only criticism of this article would be, as is the case, I have found, with many of these articles, is that it seems a bit outdated. Many of the examples that she used (duck tales, ninja turtles, etc.) are sources of media that children arent exposed to anymore. This doesnt negate, or take anythign away from her argument by any means. I simply would prefer more recent and applicable sources, as they would be more effective for us, as pre-service teachers. That being said, her theory is solid and informative, and she proves it substantially.