Jazzy Jeff

What is your topic for the research paper? How does this topic currently impact American culture (or another country, if that's where you're going with this)? How is your book/show/movie different from all of the other books/shows/movies out there like it? How is it unique? What specific cultural issue will you be addressing in your research essay and why is it relevant TODAY?

My research topic is based on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I chose this show because I admire it deeply! I think it challenges American families because of it takes a black family to a new level. It shows a prestigious family in Bel Air and it deals with realistic issues such as sex, drugs, alcohol, weight, class, etc... This is a unique quality to find in a television show especially in the past. I haven't really came up with a specific cultural issue quite yet, does anyone have any ideas for me? Possibly something having to do with Will Smith's role as a troubled teenager and the benefits and drawbacks to his presence? This topic could be relevant today because he is an example of the rebellious teenager like most today.. It is still a work in process..

"Do you think it was a good idea to add the chapters about Walt (Chris’ father) and Krakauer as individuals? What did it do for you for your views of the novel? Did anything change your opinion or did it support what you already thought? Why?"

I think it was a great idea that Krakauer added the chapters about the father and himself because it is always better to know more than one side of a story, what made these people the way they are. I understood more why Chris didn't respect his father, but I felt as though Krakauer made out Walt how he felt about his own father. There were a lot of similarities and I think Krakauer realized this.