avery r. young's view & stew:
Good Times (tv gets ghetto)

by Jose

folk may trip on Good Times but I have come to understand a great deal of advocacy from it. the character of James, JJ and Michael Evans are prime examples of Black struggle, black promise and black pride - all the things I found accessible inside my household. I did not grow up in cabrini green and did not have to understand economics n urban bight; I had a big mama who had limited education but worked hard so that mine would be limitless.

in the Episode "My Girl Henrietta" from Season 1, limits are placed upon a young lady who JJ has fallen in love with. the family sees her pregnancy as a major problem that Jj is to irresponsible to handle. Of course, America doesn't want its white youth to believe that sex and teen aged pregnancy is manageable and may can increase a sense of responsibility so the media leaves it up to communities of color to be the examples as to why fucking is catastrophic to one's life and the countries economy.

I say watch this episode and then watch a movie like Juno n compare for yourself how in which Hollywood lays out two different circumstances of the same situation and see who gets the better hand.

The interesting thing about Josc's answers is how he can understand the moral politics that are expressed through the episode. being a father of two at 17 and in a place where his decisions keep him away from his two children, focusing on this show from Henrietta and Thelma's point of view could have gave him way more insight on what the mothers of his two children must be going through.

Points of Inquiry

  1. Who is the president at the time? Ford
  2. What is J.J. contemplatin? Getting a job. Why? To help take care of Henrietta
  3. What is James and Florida's immediate reaction they they meet Henrietta? they are tripping cause she is prenant. Why? They think JJ is the father.
  4. Who has the brightest future, Thelma or Henrietta? They futures are the same Why? Anybody can make a bad mistake and anybody can make a good choice, it depends on the next step you make after the good or bad choice.
  5. Why marry? Because then you can have somebody to be with forever.
  6. How old is Henrietta? 17
  7. Where are her parents? They at home gone off the pitron. How crucial do you think their presence is inside her dilema? I mean they aint sober enough to guide her, but she the one that got pregnant.
  8. Why will her life be "hell"? That's what people want you to think that a baby messes up things or that you have it rough. How much more heaven is the life of the Evans? Their life can't be heaven, they live in the projects.
  9. Is it better to be poor and morally right? It aint ever better to be poor.
  10. Are babies mistakes? No. Explain. That case everybody is one.

Focus: Thelma & Henrietta

After viewing... Pretend you are Thelma and ask Henrietta 10 questions.

Did it hurt?
Why JJ?
Are you a bust down?

Do they make that blouse any bigger?
Are you scared?
What happens when my brother leaves you for the next girl?

What does the hurt feel like?
What you going to name the baby?
Do you know everybody talks about you?