A Strategic Move Indeed

So after composing my research proposal and ruminating on the beginning of Epstein's text I was forced to revisit a query that has plagued me during the last few days: why does the subculture I'm studying appear content, almost docile within the adult sphere? We have thus far discussed this semester the teen rebellion that grinds against the hegemonic culture. Youth subcultures come to be defined, in a rudimentary sense, as reactionary groups opposing the dominant social, economic, and political ideologies. They cannot coexist with adults, because adults are the pillars of these oppressive ideologies. These ideologies have demonized youth by arbitrarily placing them on the negative side of a binary. At a basic level, it becomes adult versus youth, with everything virtuous and moral listed under adult and everything problematic and detestable projected onto youth. Hedonistic desires, nihilism, freedom from being politically correct, and any other aberrant adult desires are thrust onto youth. Youth become the repository for the liberties adults pine for and adults react with disdain towards their suppressed selves.....I mean, react with disdain towards youth.
This is the great irony; adults must appear appalled and outraged at the youth that corrode our society, yet they really are pleased and stimulated at the emergence of their suppressed selves. I have started to once again poke around the surface of the war that rages on between youth and adults, but I swear it has a purpose. As I mentioned earlier, I have difficulty finding sites of resistance within the subculture I'm studying and I was initially bemused by their complacency and docility. This binary surely exists so why are youth not outraged at the ideologies that have marginalized and misrepresented them? Then it hit me. These youth are being heavily co-opted. The appearance of this church is modern, vibrant, and suffused with a youthful energy. There are electrical guitars, keyboards, and drums that produce the beats present in youth's music. Youth services are delivered through the assistance of the Internet in a room that emanates a nightclub vibe. Coca-Cola and Nachos are grudgingly digested by adults worried about their figure, while youth voraciously devour these items. In a multitude of ways there is appropriation and co-optation of youth within New Life Worship Center.
They do not leave the youth marginalized, left to feel denigrated and othered by this binary. Instead, they embrace youth through appropriation and co-optation. There are many negative labels that popular culture applies to Christians and more specifically to religious fanatics a.k.a Evangelists (Saved!, Jesus Camp, Friends of God, Mike Huckabee and his acoustic, etc) to name a few examples. However, youth are empowered by the adults within the church and feel a security and acceptance that allows them to I suppose withstand the secular heat. Within this church it appears as though the battle between the ages is temporarily frozen and that by doing so the adults have recruited an important demographic into their panoply: the youth.

A Warm Invite

There is certainly a plethora of terms and theory crammed into Epstein's introduction, which prepares us for a text steeped in theory. I still feel uncertain of some terminology and believe that a more solid understanding will occur after a class dissection and examination of these terms. However, the latest post made me revisit my fieldnotes and conceptualize what I noticed and recorded in regard to Epstein's introduction. My first, formal field observation was conducted on February 15 at 7:00. This was inconvenient for me, but a strategic move to maintain the purity of the church's youth. This is an ideal time for a youth service because during this time on a Friday night temptation and sin run rampant in the streets. Aside from my apparent gripe with the time, I was awestruck by both the facility and number of youth in attendance. Everyone was approaching me and inquiring about why I was here and how I learned about their church. I could easily give a vivid account of the jovial youth, their heavy and costly reliance on technology, and snippets from my skeptical, internal monologue, but I won't for several reasons. What I will share is the lack of "resistance" among these youth. They were not angered, boisterous, rebellious, calloused, etc. They didn't appear judgemental and eagerly approached me; excited that another prospect had stumbled upon their church. The few that I conversed with spoke in a respectful, almost revered tone for their pastor. They also talked highly of other church elders and didn't disclose any grievances they had agaisnt adults. In fact, the way in which I overheard thirteen year olds facetiously conversing with twenty something year olds accentuated this accepting, welcoming subculture. I could not detect any resentment or reservation among these teens. I felt as though they viewed adults not as their enemy, but rather as their ally. This is plausible once I saw how the youth interacted during the sermon. They were empowered and given voice when they were handed the microphone. Two youth read scripture and one even proceeded with a short oration! The minister also acted as though he was having dialogue with a youth, albeit, the youth simply acquiesced by repeatedly nodding his head. Even so, sitting down with a youth, breaking bread with them (nachos and soda), and then closing the conversation with a tight embrace helps persuade the youth that the adults are on their side. They didn't feel excluded from the adult world, but instead included. This involvement in the adult world is a rare occurence and certainly would alter one's feelings towards adults. We can certainly debate whether they are innocently included or included as part of a greater scheme, but this debate and the adults' intent is irrelevant to this issue. What is relevant, however, is how youth are invited into the adult realm and feel appreciated rather than rejected by adults. This welcoming approach is how adults can pull the wool over eyes and mollify resistance. They become our friends, not our foes.

Humanizing through dehumanizing.....it must be done, right?

I am ecstatic to have visited both websites, which present the public with a genuine glance into the lives of youth. These sites are loaded with heavy, problematic issues that our society faces and teens are in touch with these issues. I was not awestruck that teens would speak out against social injustices, because they listen to condemning harangues and receive glowering looks all the time. They often empathize with the disenfranchised because they themselves are the disenfranchised! We hear individuals claim that teens are narcissistic and self absorbed, yet they are more morally grounded and altruistic than most adults. Our media certainly doesn't paint an accurate portrait of the teen. Instead, what we are fed are dubious images of teens; getting high at parties, whining because their sweet 16 party only cost $100,000, and lolling on the sofa playing videogames. We condemn their irresponsible, indolent behavior and corral all teens in a stable of negativity. However, we, the sagacious adults, are afraid to scrutinize ourselves. What would we see? AVARICE, HUBRIS, INDIVIDUALISM, CRUELTY, BLOODLESSNESS. We, the wielders of power, superimpose these labels onto teens and extract their humane characteristics. We apply these characteristics to ourselves and perpetuate the universal lie that teens are abominations and we are saintly beings. That refinement of character is contingent on chronological progression. But I will let you in on a little secret.....I don't believe this fallacy. That is why I have chosen to become a teacher.

Youth, don't let the wool be pulled over your eyes!

Well, there is certainly much excitement and publicity in regard to the upcoming presidential election......too bad there wasn't this much hype over the recent gubbernatorial race. Anyone following this election knows that Barack Obama is appealing to the younger demographic (18-29) and he is also garnering a fair amount of support from the older demographic. In fact, the recent breakdown of voters (race,gender,age,socioeconomic) indicates that Obama is attracting voters from everywhere! His orations paint pictures of an idyllic United States: we will evacuate from the Middle East, everyone will have health insurance, and our flawed education system will be revamped. I mean the montage of images in collaboration with Sean Kingston's powerful song "Changes" lucidly illustrates the suffering and harrowing issues our society faces. Fortunately, one candidate can revive and restructure a screwed up society. If you can't tell by now I'm playing Devil's advocate and trying to nuance Barack's message of change. Barack is a charismatic candidate, a superb orator, and an individual whose heart is likely with the downtrodden and impoverished. However, his campaign efforts have somewhat deceived the youth. He, unlike Hilary and Edwards, did oppose the war from the start. However, he doesn't yet have a clear evacuation plan. His health care plan, contrary to belief, will not insure every individual. His plan is not for universal health care because he believes the premiums are too high for some adults and some will have to pay a fine. However, his plan will insure every child. My point is not to dissuade people from voting for Obama, because I feel he is an excellent candidate. I am simply aiming to make the point that youth, like adults, are often persuaded by propaganda. Obama's campaign ads are saturated with propaganda, from the dazzling theatrics that mirror a concert to the use of a popular music artist and montage of mawkish images. He evokes many positive feelings not only in youth, but in many adults. But lets approach not just Barack, but all candidates with caution. Hopefully, we are all educated voters who will not be easily hoodwinked through some political propaganda. And lets hope that teens significantly impact this election, like I believe they will, but have knowledge of candidates' policies before heading off to the polling stations.

Teenagers don't "taste" reality; they live it.

There is much to discuss in regard to the educational video on emotional development. Even though our society appears far removed from Davey's, our erroneous understanding of and interaction with teenagers has not improved. I have always been and continue to be appalled at how adults trivalize teenage crises. Davey has not simply lost his "steady" to the esteemed football player, but rather to the individual who he felt conspired with the football coach agaisnt him. This is equally detrimental to the formidable husband, who becomes aware of his spouse's infidelity with his "unworthy", recently promoted colleague. Regardless of age, we quickly feel betrayed, livid, and tottering on the edge of sanity. How could my girlfriend/spouse become intimate with an individual I detest? Davey reveals this emotionally tearing experience to his parents and his dad offers the brilliant idea that they should watch the upcoming football game from the sidelines! I'm well aware that a husband would surely be in attendance at a keynote speech; a speech delivered by the despicable, vermin who has been intimately involved with his wife. Enough of being crass, my point is that the father makes a grossly illogical suggestion that they should be spectators at the next football game. A relationship abruptly ending, especially with an unpleasant surprise, is just as devastating for an adult as it is for a teenager. In Davey's defense, his violent reaction pales in comparison to Richard Gere's ghastly act in "Unfaithful". We must stop acting indelicately to teenage heartache because this heartache is just as valid and no less "real" than what we experience as adults. This is to say that we must alter our understanding of teenagers simply having a mollified "taste" of reality and adopt the understanding that they are living "our" reality.