Best Choice

I think that the best choice for this group of students that we read this year would be Black and White. This book brings up many of the issues that young people face everyday in our society. As much as people ignore it and deny it, there is still a very large percent of the population that are prejudice against any other race than their own. Black and White shows how this prejudice can surface, even between the families of two very close friends. All the events that happen in this book illustrate how confusing it can be for young people to sort out this issue. They have to deal with loyalty, family opinions, doing what is best for themselves, and most importantly doing what is right. In tough situations, like the one presented in this novel, all the considerations that must be taken into account can pull a person in totally different directions which makes coming up with a decision very hard. Not only is the decision making process hard, but the after effects of that decision can weigh on a person. Guilt and questioning whether or not the right choice has been made is something that a person will have to live with forever and somehow find a way to deal with it. I found this story both realistic to the society of today and practical for young readers. It was entertaining and easy to read which makes it all the better as a selection for this group of students.

Ties That Bind, Ties That Break

In my opinion Mulan has been westernized, maybe not overly westernized, but definately changed in order to fit the more stereotypical views that Disney tends to display in movies. I do think that this westernization can serve the purpose to help the american viewers, specifically children, in relating to the character. It can be hard for even adults to understand foreign cultures so this westernization, although potentially stereotypical, is sometimes necessary. I do not think tha Disney is entirely at fault. They alone certainly have not created all of the generalizations that go along with gender and race. It is the common views and perceptions of the American people that have created these. However, Disney is a business and has incorporated these things into their movies in order to make money and therefore has not done much in the way of stopping this practice or common perceptions. On the other hand, I think that with more of the more representative characters appearing in the mainstream media, it could be possible that viewers would be able to relate to characters of different cultures. This needs to be a change in the media though. One movie or television show will not make the change that some would argue is needed. There has to be a comittment from both the viewers and produceers to try and make the media a more real experience. I have grown used to the westernized movies that Disney spits out every year and it may take some time for the audiences of such films to get used to a change like the one proposed. It may be meet with some opposition but in general I think that audiences would find it refreshing and enjoyable.