Just yesterday I called up my niece. She told me that she got the ToysRus catalog in the mail and had started picking out what she wants for Christmas, so when I came across a documentary looking at working conditions in toy factories I had to watch it.
I watched a documentary on Free Documentaries Online called "Santa's Workshop." This documentary looked into toy making factories in China and showed some of the working conditions inside the factories and how inhumane they were. They interviewed many people such as factory workers, factory management, toy companies, human rights activists, and European consumers.
I was shocked to see how the factory management viewed working conditions for their employees. We learned that although the management shows authorities records of wages and time cards, they are not accurate. Workers are paid to lie about the number of hours they work as well as how much they get paid. Management also says that the factory has a union the workers can join, bu they are fired if they join.
Workers in the factory they filmed in were not allowed to speak to the cameras, so they were forced to find other factory workers to interview.
The documentary also spoke with European toy companies and got their perspective on the issue. Both toy companies that were interviewed blamed the low cost of toys on the consumers. They said that consumers were not willing to pay enough for their companies to pay more for toys. They also claimed they were unaware of the working conditions in factories in China.
The video also touched on the fact that other countries, such as Thailand were now having trouble competing with the companies in China. Although they fight for better wages, their toys are not being bought because they cost more than the toys made in China.
The last person interviewed was an environmentalist who discussed the huge amount of mercury that is being deposited into China's water supply and the dangers this is causeing for the community.
This film had a clear purpose: to inform consumers as well as toy companies of the working conditions of toy factories in China. In the beginning of the film they ask consumers if they know where the toys are made, and they know they are made in another country, but do they know why the prices are low? Do they know what working conditions are like for people who make these toys? The interviews seemed to be valid and made me think twice about things.
As I start doing my Christmas shopping this year, this film will make me think twice about what I buy and what I am willing to pay for something. The treatment of these workers is not acceptable, but consumers are making it acceptable. This documentary had a clear goal to inform people about how toys we buy are made. Although we heard from European toy companies, who claim they have not seen such a problem, as well as factory management who claims to care about their workers, the film presents them as looking stupid and not caring. We hear them, but only through questions that are meant to make them sound unbelievable.
Teaching students about working conditions in other countries is a great way for students to become aware of their role as a consumer. Many clothing brands are made in other countries and produced in factories that have very similar conditions to the toy factories I saw in the documentary I watched. It would be interesting to have students see where their clothes are produced and read articles about certain companies and how they get their clothing. We could look at popular clothing stores such as the Gap, Banana Republic, Forever 21, etc. I think students would find it very interesting to see how what they pay for something impacts individuals who produce their clothing. This would help students think critically and also help them see their role as a consumer in society.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Nov. 12 Blog Post: News
I watched WCCO Channel 4 News at 5pm on Wednesday evening. WCCO is a local news station of the Mpls/St.Paul area that is owned by the CBS Corporation. CBS is a publicly owned corporation owned by its share holders. While the company is owned by the shareholders, it is run by the board of directors and officers. A statement from CBS' website states, "CBS Corporation is a mass media company with constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of the media industry."
While watching WCCO local news, I noticed many things in particular. The news started with a 3 main headline stories: a car crash in Eagan, MN, Vetrans who didn't have health insurance, and a preview of the new Northstar Rail that is starting to operate on Monday.
The first story that was talked about was a story in relation to a car crash in Eagan, MN/ The man who was involved in the crash was being interviewed in the hospital. This story lasted about 2 minutes.
Next was a story about Veterans' Day, that lead into the story about Veterans who did not have health insurance. This story lasted about 3 minutes. There was also a segment of a local elementary school celebrating Veteran's Day.
Next they talked about a Somalian man who was put on the "Do Not Fly" list and did not know why. This story was very short.
They also did short stories regarding a United Airline pilot who was accused of flying while drunk, a Gopher basketball player who is accused of stealing, and Oprah who interviewed staff from Fort Hood. Of course, they squeezed in some weather and then went on to the Light Rail story. After this they talked about the first public H1N1 vaccine, and went on to weather again. Then they turned to sports and ended the newscast with a story about a 60 year old man who is currently on a college football team.
The news broadcast was only 30 minutes, and one thing that I noticed was the commercial time. I timed the commercials and found that the commercials took up about 11-12 minutes of the broadcast. I also noticed that much of the newscast was spent talking about the new light rail. A reporter was aloud to go on a test run and interviewed many people that were involved with the light rail. The news channel also had people write in to get their opinions on the light rail. I also noticed that they had mentioned the light rail story right in the beginning of the newscast and did not mention it until about 20 minutes into the show. I also thought it took them a while to get to the weather, which is something that a lot of people actually do want to hear. I'm sure they don't tell viewers pressing information unti later to get them to keep watching. I also noticed the tone of the reporters themselves. Frank and Amelia, the main newscasters, are married. Also, all of them joke with one another and appear to have a fun relationship. I also noticed that Chris Schaeffer, while reporting the weather, pointed to his grandma's town and said "Hi Grandma!" The reporters try to connect with the viewers.
I don't watch much TV, but I do watch the Office which is owned 80% by General Electric (which is a publicly owned company) and 20% Vivendi (which is also also publicly owned company.
Some Newspapers that I frequently check for news are The Drudge Report, which is owned by a man named Matt Drudge. I think the site has a bit of a conservative twist to it. I also check New York Times, which is owned by the New York Times Company. They are a public company...in a way, but the publicly traded shares have no voting rights and shareholders can not control the company in any way. Some websites I use on a daily basis are: Google, which is public, and I often check my Facebook, which is a private company that is owned by Mark Zuckerberg.
It is very interesting to look at who owns what and what spin the medium has based on its owners. I think with news in particular, it is useful for students to realize that news stations usually have political motivation behind them. For example, Fox News, is a more conservative view point. Students could compare news channels in order to see what kinds of stories they cover and the tone in which they tell their stories. If students do not realize the motivations behind companies, they are subject to falling into traps in their perceptions of events and viewpoints.
While watching WCCO local news, I noticed many things in particular. The news started with a 3 main headline stories: a car crash in Eagan, MN, Vetrans who didn't have health insurance, and a preview of the new Northstar Rail that is starting to operate on Monday.
The first story that was talked about was a story in relation to a car crash in Eagan, MN/ The man who was involved in the crash was being interviewed in the hospital. This story lasted about 2 minutes.
Next was a story about Veterans' Day, that lead into the story about Veterans who did not have health insurance. This story lasted about 3 minutes. There was also a segment of a local elementary school celebrating Veteran's Day.
Next they talked about a Somalian man who was put on the "Do Not Fly" list and did not know why. This story was very short.
They also did short stories regarding a United Airline pilot who was accused of flying while drunk, a Gopher basketball player who is accused of stealing, and Oprah who interviewed staff from Fort Hood. Of course, they squeezed in some weather and then went on to the Light Rail story. After this they talked about the first public H1N1 vaccine, and went on to weather again. Then they turned to sports and ended the newscast with a story about a 60 year old man who is currently on a college football team.
The news broadcast was only 30 minutes, and one thing that I noticed was the commercial time. I timed the commercials and found that the commercials took up about 11-12 minutes of the broadcast. I also noticed that much of the newscast was spent talking about the new light rail. A reporter was aloud to go on a test run and interviewed many people that were involved with the light rail. The news channel also had people write in to get their opinions on the light rail. I also noticed that they had mentioned the light rail story right in the beginning of the newscast and did not mention it until about 20 minutes into the show. I also thought it took them a while to get to the weather, which is something that a lot of people actually do want to hear. I'm sure they don't tell viewers pressing information unti later to get them to keep watching. I also noticed the tone of the reporters themselves. Frank and Amelia, the main newscasters, are married. Also, all of them joke with one another and appear to have a fun relationship. I also noticed that Chris Schaeffer, while reporting the weather, pointed to his grandma's town and said "Hi Grandma!" The reporters try to connect with the viewers.
I don't watch much TV, but I do watch the Office which is owned 80% by General Electric (which is a publicly owned company) and 20% Vivendi (which is also also publicly owned company.
Some Newspapers that I frequently check for news are The Drudge Report, which is owned by a man named Matt Drudge. I think the site has a bit of a conservative twist to it. I also check New York Times, which is owned by the New York Times Company. They are a public company...in a way, but the publicly traded shares have no voting rights and shareholders can not control the company in any way. Some websites I use on a daily basis are: Google, which is public, and I often check my Facebook, which is a private company that is owned by Mark Zuckerberg.
It is very interesting to look at who owns what and what spin the medium has based on its owners. I think with news in particular, it is useful for students to realize that news stations usually have political motivation behind them. For example, Fox News, is a more conservative view point. Students could compare news channels in order to see what kinds of stories they cover and the tone in which they tell their stories. If students do not realize the motivations behind companies, they are subject to falling into traps in their perceptions of events and viewpoints.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Ad I Created...
Tanning beds...more like death beds.
As a melanoma survivor myself, it drives me CRAZY to see people using tanning booths. More needs to be done to show people that melanoma is a serious form of cancer that is just as deadly as many other cancers. People often times think that skin cancer is far less dangerous than other types of cancer, but it is not true. I strongly believe that people need to be proactive about their health and do what they can to protect their bodies. Wear SPF, limit your time in the sun, check your moles on a regular basis, and most importantly, stay OUT of tanning booths. Ok, now I will jump off my soap box :)
As a melanoma survivor myself, it drives me CRAZY to see people using tanning booths. More needs to be done to show people that melanoma is a serious form of cancer that is just as deadly as many other cancers. People often times think that skin cancer is far less dangerous than other types of cancer, but it is not true. I strongly believe that people need to be proactive about their health and do what they can to protect their bodies. Wear SPF, limit your time in the sun, check your moles on a regular basis, and most importantly, stay OUT of tanning booths. Ok, now I will jump off my soap box :)
Analysis of an Ad
Santa bringing...cigarettes...for Christmas???
This ad is a really old camel cigarette ad. It's kinda of funny, but disturbing at the same time. Obviously, the ad is pushing for people to give cigarettes and chewing tobacco as a Christmas present. Santa, who is a beloved childhood character of many of us, is even condoning smoking. I think it's important to remember that people at this time might not have known the negative effects of tobacco (like cancer). When most people think of getting gifts from Santa things like dolls and socks come into mind...not smokes. Santa seems to bring a sense of innocence to the quality of smoking or chewing tobacco. This add also ties in the idea of the "Christmas Spirit." In order to celebrate Christmas and be in the holiday mood, one should light up.
Audience: This add could even be directed at children. Santa is in the ad and the cigarettes are wrapped up like a present. Children see Santa as a "good guy" bringing fun gifts, not cigarettes. Santa also says, that you can say "Merry Christmas" by also saying "pleasant smoking." This ad could also be aimed at older adults, wondering what to get their husbands or wives for Christmas.
Images: Santa, holidays, presents,happiness, a "Christmas Morning!" feel.
This ad caught my attention right away. It makes me wonder how far some companies will go...come on...Santa?? Really???
How To Teach?
Analyzing ads is worthwhile for students. I think having them either do a Voice Thread, or a simple collage, like we did in class would be effective for students. Not only would they get to look at ads that they see everyday, they would also get to look at them critically. I think looking at images with a critical lens is important in order to understand what our society is focused on. Advertising is such a huge part of our world, we are influenced by it everyday. Looking at advertising with a critical eye is crucial. I think students would really enjoy analyzing ads.
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