Opening

The topic of the place of morality in education and as well as in the public eye in general can often times be reflected best in the medium of entertainment. Students often emulate what they see on TV and what they hear on the radio. Educators must be in touch with the culture in order to model an example that goes against the anti-morality of the culture today. The most popular songs, movies cartoons and other items can often times be seen as a barometer of the moral climate around us. By taking a look at the songs that were popular, what was being read and what was being watched in time when morality was a little more clearly defined, like the 50's and contrasting it with pop culture of today, a marked decrease of normal moral standards can be seen . Educators are sometimes the last line of defense against the pressing of the culture and they would bode well to know what their students’ interests are and how to answer the objections against some of the songs and TV programs of today.

Revisions 2

Not only has the decline in culture infiltrated media, but it has also infiltrated the church world at large. The video below is a mix of music and ministering. It was delivered to the congregation of End Time Harvest. Please keep in mind that it is a sermon and might be offensive to some.

Revisions--

Some say religion is not essential to morality. I don’t believe that’s at issue. However, what is at issue is the religious community's bad habit of maintaining a fracture between belief and behavior. The video below is a sort of reminder for the church to do what it’s been called to do,be beacon of hope to the world at large. It was created by me and the song in the background was written and preformed by me, with Echoes in Eternity doing the the music and background vocals. The song itself is a testimony to the problem of belief not matching behavior. This problem has caused many to turn from the Judeo-Christian values that this great nation was founded upon. (please note that the song was recorded outside by an ipod and is not meant to be a professional sounding recording.)

It's All Around Us

Morality is conveyed whether we want it to be or not. The question is not are educators responsible for instilling morality, the question is what type of morality will they instill. Looking at something as simple as a television program reveals that through osmosis, people will pick up the moral values that are being conveyed. Granted they might not put those virtues into practice, but they are presented nonetheless. Take for instance the most popular TV program of 1952 to 1955, "I Love Lucy";


the show was clean, the humor was good and the morality, while not conveyed explicitly in the above clip, was just as the show was filmed in--black and white.

Contrasted with one of the most popular sitcoms of 2010, "Family Guy",

The humor is base and shocking. This is a program that would have never been aired on TV in the 1950's. Yet it is aired during prime time today. Sadly, we can see that TV is an accurate barometer of the culture climate and sadly is a benchmark in its decline.

It’s on the page

Comic books have been around as long as the pyramids, after all what are hieroglyphics but pictures that tell a story? Okay seriously though, comics have been a staple of American pop culture since the advent of Superman in 1938. Some educators have actually been using comics to teach. Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller and Maus by Spielberg are just a couple that have found their way into college courses. Just like music, they can capsulate the culture. Looking at the superheroes of the late 50’s and early 60’s Super-Man and Spider-Man where easily the most popular.

But when contrasted with some of today’s most popular characters, such as The Punisher or Wolverine, we can see a mirror image of the cultures they were written in. For instance, the alter ego of Super-Man and Spider-Man are both heterosexual males in monogamous relationships, they have respectable jobs, clearly defined morals and close family relationships. The alter egos of the Punisher and Wolverine do not. They have no clear morality, no families an no jobs, if the ends justify the means then whatever it takes to get the job done is acceptable. Educators can show students a snapshot of the difference between today and 50 years ago through the panels of comic books.

It’s In the Air

Like carbon monoxide, sometime we can be poisoned without even knowing it, such is the case of today’s youth and their beloved iPods. Educators need to be in touch with what is being funneled into the minds of students via the headphones, because while the students may say “I just like the beat” it’s foolish to think that the lyrical content is not making an impact. Below we have the lyrics of two major pop hits.
The first, Dean Martin’s smash hit “Memories are Made of This” topped the charts in the mid 50’s. Contrasted, Rihanna’s hit “Rude Boy” topped out at number 1 just last year, 2009. We have 2 songs, about essentially the same thing; one written in a time when morality was more universal the other in a time where pragmatic morality rules the day. A cursory glance at the lyrics for the two songs leaves little to be discussed. (below are links to amazon.com for a sampling of the songs mentioned)

Memories are Made of This:
http://www.amazon.com/Memories-Made-This-Digital-Remaster/dp/B000SXO2EY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1271781548&sr=1-1

Rude Boy:
http://www.amazon.com/Rude-Boy-Explicit/dp/B002X1Z64Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1271781649&sr=1-1

Memories are Made of This; Dean Martin
Sweet, sweet memories you gave-a me
you can't beat the memeories you gave-a me
Take one fresh and tender kiss
Add one stolen night of bliss
One girl, one boy
Some grief, some joy
Memories are made of this
Don't forget a small moonbeam
Fold in lightly with a dream
Your lips and mine
Two sips of wine
Memories are made of this
Then add the wedding bells
One house where lovers dwell
Three little kids for flavor
Stir carefully through the days
See how the flavor stays
These are the dreams you will savor
With His blessings from above
Serve it generously with love
One man, one wife
One love through life
Memories are made of this



Rude Boy; Rihanna
Come here, rude boy, boy; can you get it up
Come here rude boy, boy; is you big enough
Take it, take it baby, baby
Take it, take it; love me, love me
Tonight I'ma let you be the captain
Tonight I'ma let you do your thing, yeah
Tonight I'ma let you be a rider
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up babe
Tonight I'ma let it be fire
Tonight I'ma let you take me higher
Tonight, baby, we could get it on, yeah, we could get it on, yeah
Do you like it?
Boy, I want, want, want whatchu want, want, want
Give it to me, baby like boom, boom, boom
What I want, want, want is what you want, want, want
Chorus
Come here, rude boy, boy, can you get it up
Come here, rude boy, boy, is you big enough >
Take it, take it, baby, baby, take it, take it, love me, love me
Tonight I'ma give it to ya harder
Tonight I'ma turn ya body out
Relax; let me do it how I wanna
If you got it I need it and I'ma put it down
Buckle up; I'ma give it to ya stronger
Hands up; we could go a little longer
Tonight I'ma get a little crazy, get a little crazy,
Boy, I want, want, want whatchu want, want, want<
Give it to me, baby like boom, boom, boom
What I want, want, want is what you want, want, want
I like the way you pull my hair
Babe, if I don't feel it I ain't faking, no, no
like when you tell me 'kiss you there
like when you tell me 'move it there
So giddy-up; time to get it up:
you say you a rude boy: show me what you got now
Come here right now
Take it, take it, baby, baby, take it, take it, love me, love me


Even the English is bad in “Rude Boy”, the lyrics are as they appear in the liner notes of the CD, aside from that it is the equivalent of musical pornography. Note even the view of women is radically different in Martin’s song which views them as something to be treasured for life while Rihanna’s mentioning of “pulling hair” and “take it” seem to convey the idea of women as objects. Contrasted, a steep decline in the moral landscape from the 50’s to today can be seen. Educators in touch with the culture need to realize that the likes of Rihanna’s wares are being hawked at students a young as 9, Rihanna was chosen to perform at the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice awards this year. Educators have the means, the time and the influence to counteract this poison.

Closing and Sources Sited

The media is a powerful force. What is listened to, what is watched on TV what is read; all play a role in developing the morality of students. Educators must strive to make positive deposits in the lives of their students if we're to see a moral and just society in the next 50 years. By looking back and realizing what has been cast off and left behind by the sexual revolution of the 60's and 70's, the rebellion against traditional family values of 80's and 90's and the "anything goes" attitude of the new millennium; and seeking to get the baby that has been thrown out with the proverbial bath water, educators can make a difference. contrasting the attitudes of the past with the attitudes of the present concerning morality will yield not only an interesting conversation but also has the capacity to encourage students to develop a more traditional and, in many ways, a more solid moral worldview.

Sources Cited

Amazon.com: Memories Are Made Of This (1997 Digital Remaster): Dean Martin: MP3 Downloads. Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & More. Web. 20 Apr. 2010.

Amazon.com: Rude Boy [Explicit]: Rihanna: MP3 Downloads. Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & More. Web. 20 Apr. 2010.

Andru, Ross, Gerry Conway, Steven Grant, Stan Lee, Frank Miller, Len Wein, and Mike Zeck.The Punisher. New York: Marvel Pub., 2006. Print.

Busiek, Kurt, and Jay Anacleto. Marvels: Eye of the Camera. New York, NY: Marvel, 2009. Print.

Byrne, John, Art Adams, Dick Giordano, Jerry Siegel, and Joe Shuster. Superman: the Man of Steel. New York: DC Comics, 2008. Print.

Hutchcraft, Ronald, and Lisa Hutchcraft. Whitmer. The Battle for a Generation: Life-changing Youth Ministry That Makes a Difference. Chicago, Ill.: Moody, 1996. Print.

Marshall, Peter, and David Manuel. The Light and the Glory. Old Tappan, N.J.: Revell, 1977. Print.

Martin, Dean. Dino the Essential Dean Martin. Capitol, 2004. CD.

Millar, Mark, John Romita, Klaus Janson, Kaare Andrews, Randy Gentile, Rus Wooton, Paul Mounts, Chris Eliopoulos, and José Villarrubia. Wolverine. New York: Marvel Comics, 2008. Print.

Rihanna. Rated R. Def Jam, 2009. CD.

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Top TV Shows, 1950's. Entertainment Scene. Web. 20 Apr. 2010. .

YouTube - Lucy, Lucy, Lucy. YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 20 Apr. 2010. .

YouTube - Family Guy - Cavity Search. YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 20 Apr. 2010. .