The Blog: ministry, music, media

Media Literacy, Faith and Family posted on June 9, 2009

As people informed by faith, do you ever find yourself at odds with popular media? Do you argue with your kids about what movies and video games they may or may not see, rent, play or view? Do you sometimes just give in because their arguments are stronger than your intention to be protective? Or do you stay firm in your resolve that your 10 year old needs not to see that PG-13 rated film on the big screen (or anywhere)? As parents, what becomes our responsibility in terms of teaching the kids how to use, rather than be used by, media?

Media culture is where we live and parents are well advised to pay attention to what the children are into. I spent some time with my friends at Odyssey Networks in a discussion on media literacy and how a person can make media choices informed by their faith for their family’s entertainment, well being and faith journey. Check it out: Pastor Robin on beginning media literacy. And, check out their website offering tips and helps to a life in faith. There is actually a great deal we can do to make friends with media.

What about what we do here, at CGR, namely offer music online? Common Good Radio is not only an online companion in faith offering commercial-free music (let’s break that down in another post). We are also a faithful response to the media that would point itself at your kids without your clear parental understanding of what is actually going on. That is, what is being sung, spoken, supported, enticed or nudged on commercial television and radio is to help your kids reach into their personal cash reserves. That’s right, birthday money, counts. Money management is important and part of learning to live in this world, on this we agree. I just think that with music and media, we can bless each other rather than hurt each other. With all media constructs, ask yourself this and see if it begins to offer clarity: who made this product, and why?

Case in point:
I attended a famous, iconic children’s brand marketing seminar about 15 years ago to lap up sage bits from the mouths of the masters because I had been involved with creating music and media for children for over 5 years (my first CD came out in 1988, remastered in 1998). The seminar leader talked about their company’s unmatched success at product awareness and branding through its various platforms (theme parks, games, books, TV). How to market directly to children (as commodities) because ‘children are consumers, too’, was the point of the marketing VP’s seminar. I like to pay my bills, too, but I was stunned at the greed he expressed at market capture through the children not the parents and I felt gut-punched by the surprise. The air left the room for me for a minute or two. Here I thought children were to be nurtured, cherished, loved, respected, educated, prayed over and sung to. I thought the whole village was to look after the children, lovingly. I thought it was always best to talk to the parents, supporting them in their efforts to rear compassionate, loving children even when bringing a product to market.

Perhaps I am naive (not so much) and uneducated (uh - not according to my seminary student loans). I still refuse to accept that we cannot provide something good for children and families in music and media that operates as a small business (nfp) and does not invite kids to do anything but attend to the music with its uplifting messages. So, all these years later, the Internet gives us all this chance to do this good thing with Common Good Radio!
It is simple: CGR is a commerical-free resource so you and your can kids to listen to music that lifts the spirit, enriches the faith experience and validates arts as expression, online. We gratefully accept donations to help pay the bills.
That’s pretty much it.

Music
If talking about generosity with the children would help, listen for: Ella Jenkins and Pete Seeger. This Land Is Your Land, was recorded by both artists. Sherri Hoffman’s, What Can I Give Away Todayis sung by a child thinking about, generosity. Search your scriptures for examples of, generosity. In the Bible consider: 2 Corinthians 8:1, Genesis 1:1-31, or in the Quran, 17.23. All these passages speak of being generous.

If parenting tips are your thing - they are here, too. Enjoy.

Feel invited to start the conversation about media life in your family. What has worked for you and what has been more challenging?

blessings for the common good, Pastor Robin