.. Mini Essays...

Carry out in depth research into the main theory/theorist you plan to use for your Critical Investigation and summarise the info. On a word doc. How can this be applied to your text/topic you’re researching? Write a 300 word (minimum) mini-essay.

For my research I will be focusing on both Marxism and Liberalism theorists. Firstly Marxism is an ideology derived from the writings of the sociologists Karl Marx (1818-83), which sees society as dominated by capitalist structures which maintain the hegemony of the ruling class and lead to the exploitation of workers. In addition modern Marxists concentrate on the ways in which social institutions such as the media sustain dominant ideology and false consciousness in the interest of the ruling elite, this therefore will link to my study as I am focusing on the representations of young black boys and the media obviously may concentrate on this topic more than other topics in the media. Secondly Liberalism this refers to the belief in the importance of individual freedom. I can link this with my critical investigation, due to black people wanting a change, so they can be looked as positive role models. It is a fact that 85% of major media news people fall into the liberal category, which is far from representative of the general population; this can be seen as biased in many ways.

Carry out in depth research into the main issue/debate you plan to use for your Critical Investigation and summarise the info. On a word doc. How can this be applied to your text’ topic you’re researching?

"To what extent does the advertising media undermine the black youth within society coinciding with the stereotypical behaviour and clothing of those teenagers".

> Nearly a third of children in the UK have been affected by gun and knife crime

> One in five 16 year-old boys admits to having attacked someone and intended to hurt them seriously with a knife

> 63% of young people surveyed believe image is directly linked to gun and knife crime; 61% think gun and knife crime is about revenge and reprisals; and 63% believe peer pressure is a main reason for gun and knife crime.

> The most commonly given reason for carrying a knife is ‘for protection'. Other reasons include ‘in case there's a fight' and ‘for use in crimes': Source: Offending, Crime and Justice Survey 2005.

The Net has launched two new radio adverts to discourage young people from carrying knives.
Building on the success of Operation Blunt's 'Knife City', the radio adverts target young people aged from 11-19.

Horrific photos of real stab wounds are being used in a new campaign against knife crime.
The graphic images feature in "viral" internet and mobile phone adverts.
One shows a man with a Swiss army knife and a screwdriver sticking out of his chest.
Others show exposed intestines which have emerged from a knife wound, a leg which has become gangrenous after a knife attack, the hand of a victim whose thumb has been severed and deep wounds to the bone.
The campaign hopes to drive home the message that people who carry knives are more likely to become stab victims.

http://www.itv.com/?vodcrid=crid://itv.com/20285&DF=1

The mother of a knife attack victim has rubbished a Home Office shock advert campaign to tackle the crime. Ann Rock's son, Christopher, was the target of an attack in 2006. The 21 year old was stabbedsix times in an unprovoked attack outside his home in South Wales.
He nearly died after receiving wounds in the arm, back, lung and diaphragm - one narrowly missed his heart.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sky-News-Archive/Article/20080641317443