1. Activity- Roger and Me (1 of 3)
Watch the movie, Roger and Me, a documentary by Michael Moore about de-industrialization.
Watch the movie by clicking here
As you watch, keep in mind these questions:
1 How do the early Flint years compare to the (then) current state of Flint as depicted in the movie? Consider such things as the physical state of buildings, the number and types of businesses, the types and quality of housing, etc.
2. What types of jobs were people laid off due to plant closings able to secure? How did they pay relative to their former jobs at GM? What types of additional activities did people engage in to try to make money (e.g., the bunny lady)?
3. Why did GM close so many of its plants in Flint? Where did the plants and jobs go? How did the pay in the new location likely compare to the pay in Flint? What did GM do with its monetary savings due to closing the plants?
4. According to the people at the country club and those at the private party. what should laid off people do? What did Bob Eubanks, Miss Michigan, Pat Boone, and other "celebrities" suggest that the laid off workers do?
5. What were the implications of de-industrialization and unemployment for crime and violence in Flint, including as time went on during the movie (and real life)? Which type of "business" flourished in Flint as a result (i.e., new jail construction)? What type of jobs did this help create? What did the richer persons think about the jail's opening?
6. In addition to lost jobs, what other things were influenced in Flint? For example, who, other than Roger Smith, had the most secure employment? What were the implications for city services (and their indirect effects (e.g., rats)?)?
7. What did Flint city officials try to do in order to restart the economy? How well did these efforts work?
8. What are the likely psychological impacts of the job losses and related changes in Flint? For example, consider the kids watching the evictions, former friends of Michael Moore, etc.
9. By the end of the movie, who was left living in Flint? What is the likely future for the city of and people remaining in Flint?5.1 Discussion
Roger and Me
After watching Roger and Me by Michael Moore,
write a discussion post of at least 2 paragraphs
with your thoughts about these questions:
write 2 paragraphs
2. Read Anderson's Code of the Street.
As you read, keep in mind these questions:
1. According to Anderson, why is the drug economy so important? How do drug markets help to create/increase violence involving their participants and non-participants who reside nearby? Why are economic changes and conditions so important to understanding the presence of drug markets? Why was the introduction of crack particularly important for the community?
2. What roles do grandmothers play in some families? How have these roles changed with the introduction of crack?
3. What does it mean to "see but don't see"? Why do many people "see but don't see" instead of calling the police? Why do "old heads" and others hesitate to get involved when they see crime and violence occur? Why don't people contact the police or assist them with their investigations? How do the police seem to view the community residents and violence victims?
4. According to Anderson, what are some of the appropriate ways to act to avoid being robbed? If one is robbed what are some of the things one should do? What are some of the things one should not do? What are the benefits of robbery for the offender?
5. Why does the possibility of a violent death not seem to not matter to some people? How does the community react when homicide does occur?
6. What does Anderson mean by the "decent daddy"? What role does the decent daddy play for his family? That is, why is he important? Why don't more of the biological fathers become "decent daddys" (or, what is required to become a "decent daddy")?
7. For those individuals who try to become role models in the community after previously having been involved in crime (e.g., Robert), how do others respond? What are some of the difficulties they face in trying to make such changes?