After waiting a year, viewers were finally able to watch Black in America part 2 on CNN. I have to say that overall I thought it was better than the last one, and it definitely had a more positive spin.
I have decided to lay out some of my thoughts on Black in America 2 in bullet form, so that it is easier to read and to the point.
My thoughts:
-I was disappointed that we didn’t get an update on the stories she featured in Black in America 1
-I just loved this quote from Malaak Compton Rock-“Service is the RENT you pay for living.” It is SO true, because volunteerism and giving back is essential to everyone’s lives and the community
- Journey for Change: I think it is a wonderful program, and I do think that showing underprivileged kids others who have less than them can be an eye opener, but I don’t think it's enough. You can’t take underprivileged kids and show them more poverty, and then expect them to take that and do well. Or change the way they've been living. I think that if you want them to be successful, to expand their horizons or do better, then you need to show them successful, accomplished black people. They need to SEE success first, so they can EMULATE it.
-Everything about Steve Perry and his school was impressive and amazing. Great success story. My only problem- 2,000 on the waiting list to get in?! Something needs to be done. Let's talk EXPANSION! (question: Is it possible that his success rate is so high because the school only has 80 students?)
-I have too many questions left over about MLT. How do you get in the program? Does it cost money? If so, how much? Is MLT the reason that the young lady got into Northwestern’s MBA program? Or was it just because she was intelligent enough on her own? (I mean, she was a Chemical Engineer after all) Oh and don't be surprised if they make a reality show out of it. (It definitely looked like it could be one.)
-I thought that the Doctor had a good quote- “We’re invisible because we don’t fit the stereotype”. SO true. But if the elite black upper class is so invisible to most of America, then why didn’t you show MORE of it, Soledad? I definitely felt that more could’ve been shown.
-Another good quote: “Never use race as an excuse, or as an advantage”
-Soledad O’Brien is DEFINITELY the hardest working woman in journalism right now. (CNN "Reclaiming the Dream" special, Latino in America, promos, etc.)
These are just SOME of my thoughts on Black in America 2. Do you agree?
What did YOU think of Black in America 2? Was it better than the first?
Let’s talk about it.
My words are up.
I have to say that although Black in America 2 thus far is better than the first one, I am still disappointed by it. It could very well be that my expectations for the program was so high because I have been wait for months for its premier. I personal think that the show does not do a good job at portraying the wide spectrum of social classes within the African American community. It only shows the low and upper class, but what about the millions of black working middle class families in America. I hope that tomorrow’s episode will include sections that I am able to relate to more. Alex you brought up some really good points in your posts that I completely agree with.
ReplyDeleteI watched the second part expecting it to be a continuation of the first one, so I was left wanting updates about the stories from the first one.
I think that the work that Malaak Compton Rock is doing with Journey for Change is really commendable as she is introducing inner-city students to a whole new world. I just think that changes need to be made within the program as it does not hold student accountable for change after returning from Africa. It’s one thing to talk about the changes you are going to make as a result of the mission trip but these students need step by step guidance to actually make sure that they implement these changes in their daily lives.
As a future educator I was really impressed by Steve Perry’s story. The fact that 100% of his seniors graduate and attend 4 year colleges along speaks for itself. With today’s public education systems, those types of accomplishments are really rare.
Little Bit, thanks for creating this forum.
ReplyDeleteBlack in America was better this time around. I appreciated the common theme of self-reliance and self-motivation that was in each story. The stories seem to connect more, where in the previous season the stories seemed scattered around multiple themes. Personally, I was able to relate with these stories this time around.
I must disagree with one of your critiques. For example, you suggested the black upper class should have been given more of an opportunity to showcase its lifestyle and story. However, I think providing more insight on the black upper class would not have provided any solutions to problems addressing the majority of African-Americans. What problems do the upper class have that they can’t address themselves? Since the show was advertising a discussion about various solutions, I think an expansion of the black upper class segment would have been out of place and unnecessary. While I can understand the importance of highlighting the tuxedo ball and the affluent black lifestyle, I do not see the importance of exploring that lifestyle beyond the surface.
I also think the story around Steven Perry was very impressive. However, the show failed to provide which methods he used to be successful. The terms “tough love” and a passion for teaching was constantly used to describe how the school was successful. However, these are vague ideas that I think is present in schools that are failing miserably. Thus, what specific methods used by Perry and his staff would have been more helpful for a show geared around solutions. Note, Perry did speak on having a longer school day and shorter breaks, yet he failed to discuss the school’s curriculum, how the students score on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, and more importantly what type of institutions the students are attending after high school.
Just a few of my thoughts…..
I enjoyed last's nights Black in America, however I didn't see the first one, so I can't compare. Alex, I agree with you that students need to see success and then emulate it. Most of the kids who went on the journey for change trip know what NOT to do, but this doesn't necessarily mean that they know what TO do.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I was very impressed by Steve Perry's school. Not many schools can say that 100% of its graduates go on to college, let alone a 4 year college. I do wish that he spoke a little more about how he started the school, what struggles he went through, etc. a little more in detail.
I would have liked to hear more of Bertram's story, being one of very few African American students at his university. When he said that people have asked if he was a thug when he wears his hat a certain way...Bertram didn't elaborate, but how did it make him feel? Although, I know from first hand experience, minorities get asked the strangest questions...