A Day and a Life in the Ghetto
I choose the audio composition called “Ghetto Life 101” about LeAlan Jones, thirteen, and Lloyd Newman, fourteen, collaborated with public radio producer David Isay to create the radio documentary Ghetto Life 101, their audio diaries of life on Chicago’s South Side. They recorded for ten days walking listeners through their daily lives where you learn a little about LeAlan and Lloyd and what it’s like to live in the Chicago South Side.
I found this audio story to be complying because it gives to the a documentary/movie feeling through out the piece. It first starts off with LeAlan giving you a step by step walk through of his morning; him walking out the door, giving you a glimpse of what its like on his way to school, in school, and different other place. Immediately it music faded into story to give you the feeling of motion while he was on his way to his friend Lloyd’s house, where you meet him and where he intertwines into the story. Music is used a lot throughout the story to fill pauses and to create movement. The music also makes sense with the topic of the story.
It keeps you wanting to hear more because it uses humor and emotion to pull you in. It also includes interviews from different people talking about the neighborhood, life, and the struggle. You’ll hear about some interesting people and their lives, most of the interviews are their family members.
Grandma: I think I been blessed, because things could have been a whole lot worse than they have been.
Jones: But she has had plenty of troubles — the kinds of things you see in every family around here. My grandmother had one son who was murdered. She has another son who’s addicted to drugs and is in and out of jail. Her grandson, my cousin Jermaine, came down with leukemia when he was six. He was cured, but the medication left him learning disabled . It upset his mother so much that she started drinking. Now he lives here with my grandmother — sleeps in her bed.
This story will take you on a journey through Chicago by two young men that makes you feel like your side by side during the entire story. You’ll probably be surprised by how much they witness and go through at such a young age which keeps your ears turned in and your mind drawing the picture.
Views All Time
Views Today
I evaluated the same audio diary and I couldn’t agree with you more. It was through their charismatic tone, that kept me so involved in their story. I felt as if I was their new friend that they were showing around their neighborhood. I believe that it was through their series of interviews that we could learn so much about the people who lived in that environment. Their responses were raw and it was an eye opener. Their overall interview style made me genuinely like these boys and after I heard their audio I decided to google them. I wanted to see if they turned out alright, and good news they both are well accomplished. It’s interesting how a strong interview can make you feel bonded to the subjects.