Showing posts with label nerd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nerd. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Who wants to be Carlton anyway?

Who wants to be Carlton? We all want to be Fresh Prince!

I watched an episode of The Fresh Prince last night. I recalled a study that was done about that revealed the subtle, negative message black youth are given about achievement and success. The study noted that through many images, many perhaps unintended, youth are prompted to frown on education. The Fresh Prince was a glaring example given.

It appears that Carlton is a highly educated, scholar who speaks foreign languages and is skilled in the arts, economics and other areas. However, rather than being the hero of the series, Carlton is depicted as "Not cool" and a "Nerd." On the other hand, Will Smith is depicted as not too smart,fun loving, popular, street wise and loveable. Despite the fact that he is a dropout and non-achiever, he is the one that kids most want to emulate. The suggestion is clear: Education means Nerd; dropping out and being street wise means being "The Fresh Prince."

That's not the shows intended goal but the results are clear: No black kid admires Carlton but most admire Will Smith. Such shows give the impression that learning, discipline and achivement will turn them into Carlton, a nerd.

What a subtle suggestion! It's powerful.

Our youth should be urged to hang with those who are trying to climb higher and to do God's will, not those who are doing just the opposite.

There are two verses in the bible that speak to this subject. Psalms 1:1-2 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely.

People may laugh at Carlton because he can't dance, but he'll probably end up owning the dance hall and the rap group that provides the music.