An Evaluation of “Ghetto Life 101”
After looking through the audio titles, Ghetto Diaries 101 caught my attention. The diary takes the audience through the daily lives of 13-year-old LeAlan Jones and his best friend Lloyd Newman. Focusing on their lives in the ghettos of South Chicago, the young teens touch on everything from education, substance abuse, and gang violence to teen pregnancy. Despite the heavy topics, the radio documentary primarily sets an optimistic tone. As it first began, Jones tells us “Good Morning! Day one. Walking to school. Leaving out the door.” Followed by the sound of a door closing, we hear some faded background music. The music plays a large part in the story telling. It is an upbeat and urban tone, reflecting the positive personalities of these young teenagers. The music also echoes the urban culture of 1993, but the interviews really hinge on the background noise from the boys’ environment. It immerses the audiences into the story, but primarily into their home life. The sounds of doors closing, kids running around, and busy streets recreates their environment. It makes one feel as if they are at that moment physically there with the young boys. As they carry on with explaining their day, they conduct a few interviews with peers and family members. With their casual and informal style of interviewing, their charismatic personalities shine through and one can emotionally bond with them. Although at times their casual style instills a lighter feeling to the interviews, the young boys touched on some very tragic stories. In the end, they leave off on a positive interview with Jones’ Grandmother where she explains her difficult life, but sings a gospel that she finds strength in. Saving his grandmother’s interview for the last reinforces the optimistic tone that Jones and Newman constantly convey.
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