Great websites to learn more about today’s youth culture, and working with youth: http://cpyu.org http://www.ymnews.com/ http://www.cyfm.net/ http://www.freeyouthministry.com/ http://www.youthleadership.org/ http://www.christianitytoday.com/teens http://www.juniorhighpastor.com/ http://www.grouppublishing.com/ http://www.iugm.org/yth-res.html http://www.youthpastor.com/ http://www.youthspecialties.com/ A sample of what you will find at CPYU (Center for parent/youth understanding) website: I've been thinking... by Walt Mueller Archived Pages - <http://cpyu.org/page.aspx?id=77106> 3 <http://cpyu.org/Page.aspx?id=78477> 4 <http://cpyu.org/Page.aspx?id=103444> 5 <http://cpyu.org/Page.aspx?id=103446> 6 <http://cpyu.org/Page.aspx?id=103449> 7 <http://cpyu.org/Page.aspx?id=103502> 8 <http://cpyu.org/Page.aspx?id=103504> 9 <http://cpyu.org/Page.aspx?id=103505> 10 <http://cpyu.org/Page.aspx?id=103506> 2/10/06 Victoria has no secrets. . . . Before I get to the real subject of today’s blog, a few words about Kanye West. Did you happen to see him on the Grammys the other night? Evidence of Kanye’s arrogance can be seen in this report at MTV News <http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1524093/20060209/west_kanye.jhtml?headlines=true> . The most alarming news to come out of Camp Kanye is the short news byte that appeared on contactmusic.com yesterday. Here’s the full text of the article that begins with the headline, “Cocky West: ‘I Should Be In The Bible’” - “Cocky rap star Kanye West is calling for a revised edition of the The Bible because he thinks he should be a character in it. The ‘Jesus Walks’ hitmaker, who picked up three Grammy Awards last night feels sure he’d be ‘a griot’ (West African storyteller) in a modern Bible. He says, ‘I bring up historical subjects in a way that makes kids want to learn about them. I’m an inspirational speaker. I changed the sound of music more than one time. . . . For all those reasons, I’d be a part of the Bible. I’m definitely in the history books already.’” What can we say? Kanye West just might be the best thing to ever happen to Michael Jackson! Now the real subject of today’s blog. . . . The other day I received an email from a local youth worker’s wife. She asked me to take a look at a web site several local folks have created in response to a controversy that’s heating up at our local mall here in Lancaster County. The site is www.toneitdown.net <http://www.toneitdown.net/> – a place where citizens concerned about the over-the-top window display in the mall’s Victoria’s Secret store can send a message to Victoria’s Secret, asking them to change the display. I’ve seen the display, and you can look at it too at www.toneitdown.net <http://www.toneitdown.net/> . I don’t have a problem with Victoria’s Secret. They have every right to be in business. I’m also a supporter of free speech. I think the free flow of ideas and the ability to communicate and debate about those ideas is one of the freedoms we should cherish. For Christians who disagree with me on this. . . . think about the cultural shifts taking place in our culture. If it’s possible to lose your ability to speak out freely, it makes sense that the majority will dictate who can speak and who can’t. As a Christian, I’m in the minority. Think about it. By the way, bullying someone to be quiet doesn’t bring about a change of heart. But while I’m an advocate of free speech, I’m also an advocate of being responsible with that freedom. There are lines of decency that must be maintained, especially when one is promoting those ideas in the public square. In this case, I think Victoria’s Secret – which judging from the display photos is really an oxymoron – has gone over the edge. They can and should be in business. I’ve shopped there. But please don’t throw the extremes of your business into your front window where impressionable and vulnerable young children can see it all, especially right across the corridor from the one mall store that caters to the youngest of kids. It’s ironic that this email was sent to me this week. On Monday I’ll be in Washington speaking at the National Community-Based Abstinence Education Grantees Conference put on by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. My topic? “Understanding Pop Culture’s Powerful Push: How Media Defines Sexual Values and Behaviors.” I’ll be spending the day with a group of people who are dedicated to helping young people make sexual choices which allow them to fully experience the wonder and joy of the gift of sexuality. I’ll be talking about the lessons our kids learn long before their bodies are physically mature enough to engage in sexual activity. These are the messages that define and shape the sexual values that ultimately are lived out in their sexual choices and behaviors. I’ll be using our local Victoria’s Secret as an example of a pop culture voice sending loud visual messages that combine with the rest of the sexualized stuff in our kids’ cultural soup to shape who our kids are, how they treat others, and who they will be for the rest of their lives. Let’s be honest. The folks at Victoria’s Secret might be getting excited about all the free press they’re getting as a result of this window display. They’re a business. They market. They advertise. They want to develop a growing customer base. But advertising in today’s world isn’t just about selling a product. Ads sell a worldview. I’m not so much concerned about Victoria’s Secret as I am concerned about the advertising strategy they’ve employed here at our mall. To learn more or to find out how you can help the folks at Tone It Down, visit www.toneitdown.net <http://cpyu.org/www.toneitdown.net> . |
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