"Return to the bad old days? A news perspective" -- Grenada, Paul

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This is a short article that argues against blaming media for youth involvement in gangs. It focuses more on explaining the youth’s violence in relation to their environments, their family situations, and personal needs to prove themselves. “It would be easy to blame music or television. People always do. But media is as controlled as it has ever been. Yes, an album from a gangsta rapper may give them a soundtrack to their activities, but it's not the inspiration.”

I can use this article as a good piece to focus on countering its argument. I can see the sense in the Grenada’s opinion and agree, yet I feel that media plays a larger role that he gives credit. I, also, do not want to point only at the media and I would like to communicate that understanding in my final piece. I think it is too easy to argue that the media is entirely to blame or is not a problem at all. It may not directly cause the problem, but it is definitely influential. Many children, and even adults, are somewhat driven by encouragement, appraisal, and "punishment" (or society's consequences/ people looking down on a person). The media serves as encouragement. It may not be the first place kids get their ideas, but the media is there to back them up and glorify violent actions.