Social Media may end Gender?

I came across this little video on TED and thought it was an interesting idea.  What do you think?  Do you agree, disagree, care?  What would it mean for the ad companies who rely on Jean Kilbourne's "techniques?"  Comment below.

Paper #1

Please post a comment here with a link to your focus article and a rough description of your idea for the paper as outlined in the paper description on the class Google Site.

Student Blogs

Please add a comment below with the URL of your personal blog. I will then add them to the list on the right and also to the Google Site.

Precious: the summer reading assignment based on the novel Push by Sapphire

Welcome to your first Race and Gender Blog Assignment. You will use this blog initially to comment on the summer reading at various points this summer, and you will continue to use the blog throughout the year as part journal, part discussion starter, part course reflector. Below and/or to the right, you will see the "prompts" I would like you to write about and the dates that I expect your entry to be completed. Some of the prompts will be straight forward answers, and others will require you to react to your classmates' responses. Your responses will not be graded for grammar or style, but be deliberate about how you craft your answer. Think about how your response might spark further discussion on the topic. There will be 3 Prompts in total.

Prompt #1 - Due Aug. 1

Pick a character from the book who reminds you of someone you know well.

1. Briefly describe the character and accompanying characteristics that are important to understanding the connection you are making.
2. Cite a passage from the book that shows one of these traits.
2. Describe the person you know and give an example or story that explains the similarity.
4. Explain how this connection might help you relate to the story of Precious.

Note: Try to see beyond the obvious when determining your comparison. For example, picking Miz Rain because she reminds you of a teacher you had who really cared about her students is obvious. Rather, Picking Ms. Rain because on page 64, Precious talks about how Miz Rain is "stupid" because she doesn't value money enough and that reminds you of a teacher who can't relate to the things you value, (even though they both have the best intentions) will make for much more interesting ideas.

Prompt #2 - Due Aug. 15

Ha Ha Ha, just kidding:) I did plan on having this as a due date, but only got a few responses to my first Prompt by Aug. 1. In any case, rolling with the punches, I will just have one more prompt (prompt 3 - Due Sept. 1). Look forward to reading your responses and seeing you all in a few weeks.

Prompt #3 - Due Sep. 1

For this post, the first person to post should answer the question directly. THEN ALL SUBSEQUENT POSTS should address something written by a previous "poster." In other words, if Jimmy is the first to post, he will write his thoughts about the question directly. If Jane is the second to post, she must respond to something that Jimmy said. Then when Bobby posts third, he can respond to either Jimmy or Jane; and so forth. Here is the prompt, from the Reader's Guide in the back of the "Major Motion Picture" edition:

"'Miz Rain say we is a nation of raped children, that the black man in America today is the product of rape.' What does Ms. Rain mean by the metaphor, and does it strike you as an accurate one?"