Music:
1. Suburbs:
Straight A's (Dead Kennedys) - This was the most interesting one for me. When I think of songs about school, this is the first one that comes to mind. It's a song about a student who is under a ton of pressure from his parents to get good grades, and although he manages, he is miserable. His "friends" use him for answers and don't even like him. His parents are so strict about him getting good grades that he never has time to go out, as he constantly does homework. What makes this so interesting is that nowhere in the song does he mention where he's from. When I talked about this with my cousin, I asked whether this should be classified as "urban" or "suburban." Without hesitation, he said "suburban." I asked why, and his answer gave an inclination to some of the innate stereotypes we might have: he said "I don't think urban schools have too many nerds." Essentially, he automatically associated the pressure (and, to take it a step further, the very possibility) of getting Straight A's with suburban schools.
No Such Thing (John Mayer) - a song that brings out how futile it is to plot out the course of your life based on high school success. Some answers can't be found in books when you're 17 years old.
Jeremy (Pearl Jam) - terrifying song about a Texas school shooting. The bullied kid lashes out
2. Urban
Juvenile Delinquentz (Terminator X) - a song that critiques urban schools in every category from curriculum to disgusting lunches.
Brain Damage (Eminem) - a story about a bullied kid in a Detroit school and his efforts to avoid his fears before finally being forced to confront them.
School Spirit (Kanye West) - Kanye telling the story about how he didn't need school, and bragging about how he proved his doubting teachers wrong.
Straight A's (Dead Kennedys) - This was the most interesting one for me. When I think of songs about school, this is the first one that comes to mind. It's a song about a student who is under a ton of pressure from his parents to get good grades, and although he manages, he is miserable. His "friends" use him for answers and don't even like him. His parents are so strict about him getting good grades that he never has time to go out, as he constantly does homework. What makes this so interesting is that nowhere in the song does he mention where he's from. When I talked about this with my cousin, I asked whether this should be classified as "urban" or "suburban." Without hesitation, he said "suburban." I asked why, and his answer gave an inclination to some of the innate stereotypes we might have: he said "I don't think urban schools have too many nerds." Essentially, he automatically associated the pressure (and, to take it a step further, the very possibility) of getting Straight A's with suburban schools.
No Such Thing (John Mayer) - a song that brings out how futile it is to plot out the course of your life based on high school success. Some answers can't be found in books when you're 17 years old.
Jeremy (Pearl Jam) - terrifying song about a Texas school shooting. The bullied kid lashes out
2. Urban
Juvenile Delinquentz (Terminator X) - a song that critiques urban schools in every category from curriculum to disgusting lunches.
Brain Damage (Eminem) - a story about a bullied kid in a Detroit school and his efforts to avoid his fears before finally being forced to confront them.
School Spirit (Kanye West) - Kanye telling the story about how he didn't need school, and bragging about how he proved his doubting teachers wrong.
Movies:
1. Suburban
John Hughes - no, that's not a movie. He's a director who pretty much shaped every stereotype of suburban high schools in the 80's with movies like Weird Science, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, and The Breakfast Club.
Mean Girls - a great movie about a girl from Africa trying to fit in. I love how the character changes throughout the movie, and actually compromises who she is, just to make friends.
Revenge of the Nerds - college nerds exacting revenge on a fraternity of jocks. The title is exactly what you get.
2. Urban
Half Nelson - I love how in this movie, we don't get the "teacher riding in on a white horse to fix everything" stereotype. Ryan Gosling's character is very flawed (a drug addict) and it's interesting to see how his elementary students react to him
Sunset Park - movie about an NYC high school basketball team coached by a white woman. It really touches on every problem a team of students can encounter: teammates on drugs, on probation, in academic trouble, getting shot, etc.
Hoop Dreams - Documentary about two African American kids who commute 90 minutes so they can attend a high school with a renowned basketball program. It follows the two students over the course of five years
John Hughes - no, that's not a movie. He's a director who pretty much shaped every stereotype of suburban high schools in the 80's with movies like Weird Science, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, and The Breakfast Club.
Mean Girls - a great movie about a girl from Africa trying to fit in. I love how the character changes throughout the movie, and actually compromises who she is, just to make friends.
Revenge of the Nerds - college nerds exacting revenge on a fraternity of jocks. The title is exactly what you get.
2. Urban
Half Nelson - I love how in this movie, we don't get the "teacher riding in on a white horse to fix everything" stereotype. Ryan Gosling's character is very flawed (a drug addict) and it's interesting to see how his elementary students react to him
Sunset Park - movie about an NYC high school basketball team coached by a white woman. It really touches on every problem a team of students can encounter: teammates on drugs, on probation, in academic trouble, getting shot, etc.
Hoop Dreams - Documentary about two African American kids who commute 90 minutes so they can attend a high school with a renowned basketball program. It follows the two students over the course of five years
TV Shows:
1. Suburban
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - what makes this interesting is that it goes beyond the premise of an urban child living with a suburban family. Throughout the show, there is an underlying message that the Banks family (particularly Carlton) is "less black" than Will.
Saved By The Bell - like many movies that portray suburban schools, this show focuses on a group of stereotypical kids in school. Some of the stereotypes: the Jock, the Nerd, the Geek, and of course, the Black girl
Beverly Hills: 90210 - an insight into the lives of privileged high schoolers
2. Urban
The Wire - probably the most sobering show in the history of television. When the series shifts its focus onto the education system of Baltimore, the issues that are brought up are terrifying, but very real. Honestly, this is the only show that needs to be seen on this topic. It runs the gamut completely.
Boston Public - a great show about a troubled high school in Boston. Of course, after too many school shootings, inappropriate teacher/student interactions, lawsuits, etc., my suspension of disbelief could take no more, and the show started to feel ridiculous. But for a couple seasons, it was a powerful drama.
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - what makes this interesting is that it goes beyond the premise of an urban child living with a suburban family. Throughout the show, there is an underlying message that the Banks family (particularly Carlton) is "less black" than Will.
Saved By The Bell - like many movies that portray suburban schools, this show focuses on a group of stereotypical kids in school. Some of the stereotypes: the Jock, the Nerd, the Geek, and of course, the Black girl
Beverly Hills: 90210 - an insight into the lives of privileged high schoolers
2. Urban
The Wire - probably the most sobering show in the history of television. When the series shifts its focus onto the education system of Baltimore, the issues that are brought up are terrifying, but very real. Honestly, this is the only show that needs to be seen on this topic. It runs the gamut completely.
Boston Public - a great show about a troubled high school in Boston. Of course, after too many school shootings, inappropriate teacher/student interactions, lawsuits, etc., my suspension of disbelief could take no more, and the show started to feel ridiculous. But for a couple seasons, it was a powerful drama.
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