Blog #4: The Government cares about their image just as much as you do

In news, it is so difficult to come across valuable and reliable news sources that convey what is going on in the world. Often times, new stations and news companies are covering the same information and not scoping out bigger issues that may be going on in the United States, or the world. 

The question is, why might that be? How come the mainstream media does not cover issues like those covered in more discrete sites such as antiwar.com? 

The simple answer is this: 

Just as we like to control our image and how others perceive us, so does the government.

Fortunately, because of our first amendment rights, the government has limited control over what they can restrict and censor. For example, it might be more difficult to acquire and find more obscure websites, but the government cannot use prior restraint to prevent those journalist's articles to be unseen. The government cannot take down an article that may paint them in a bad light. It may be difficult to find these websites, but at least we can seek them out thanks to our first amendment rights. 

Strong writers and opinions can be intimidating. Media is used to create a sense of reality through our perception. Because of this, the media is incredibly important in defining what we know and believe. Thus, it is in the government's best interest to try to manage the information that is put out.

Take a look at this article from antiwar.com that reveals US bombings in Africa. In fact, the headline is "US Bombings in Africa: Why Are People Unaware?"

 https://www.antiwar.com/blog/2020/10/01/us-bombings-in-africa-why-are-people-unaware/

This article conveys the damage control that the United States government tends to try to use through various news sources. The one cited in the article shares how the headline of a New York Times article revealed that the US is "seeking authority to expand counterterrorism" when in reality, the US bombings are doing the exact opposite. Another example of intentional wording was at the beginning of quarantine. I remember seeing a TikTok that revealed a dozen or so news stations that were all saying the same things verbatim. It was a perfect example of media being mass communicated intentionally. 

Thankfully, we also live in a time where each individual American has the ability to be there own journalists just as I am able to talk about this right now. With smartphones and other technological devices, many are able to document and speak up about their beliefs through their own personal pages. This is how we can share and create discourse and often learn about other perspectives which is essential to bettering our communities. 

So I leave you with this: rather than depending on more traditional news sources such as FOX or CNN, try to explore other outlets that may share more about what you are interested in. Seek out new sources. Seek out opinionated pieces. And most importantly, share your voice because many others in this world do not have that freedom. 

Blog #3: BLM Protests: Constitutional or Unconstitutional?

After the devasting death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, protests all over the United States have been taking place to demand racial justice in our country. In fact, it is our duty and right to fight for justice as a citizen of the United States.

The U.S. Constitution is one of the many ways in which our country is unlike any other. Through the Federal, State, and Individual, we have the unique process of checks and balances. In order to maintain "Ordered Liberty," it is essential that we, citizens, speak out to promote change in our government when needed in the face of injustice. 

In order to best understand how to perform our civil duties, it is important to understand our civil liberties represented in the Constitution. 

First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Through the lens of the Black Lives Matter movement, it is important for us as citizens to acknowledge and understand that our freedom to protest is constrained by being able to peaceably assemble to petition the Government. 

Therefore, amidst the controversy, it is our civil liberty and duty to peacefully protest the racial injustices that consume our country in order to petition the United States to redress these issues. 

Although many believe that most BLM protests are spurring unnecessary violence and looting, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, around 93% of racial justice protests have been peaceful and non-destructive since the George Floyd incident. Because of this, the majority of citizens that are fighting for racial justice have been doing so constitutionally, and through their civil liberties. 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/04/us/blm-protests-peaceful-report-trnd/index.html

Compared to the 2,440 locations that held peaceful protests, fewer than 220 locations experienced violent demonstrations. Although violent protests are not a freedom in the constitution and therefore disciplinary action can be taken, it is very important to recognize that the entire Black Lives Matter movement is not primarily violent. 

As a United States citizen, it is essential to recognize the importance of the First Amendment and what it deems appropriate. In order to main "Ordered Liberty," we must utilize our rights to speak out against controversies, especially racial injustice, whether that be through peaceful protests or our own fundamental personal right of the press to demand the government to redress issues in our nation.

Blog #2 SCOTUS

SCOTUS

SCOTUS, Supreme Court of the United States: highest federal court, head of the judicial branch of government. 

After being established by the U.S. Constitution in Article Three, the SCOTUS evaluates the constitutionality of laws and the other branches of government exemplifying the concept of checks and balances. By evaluating constitutionality, The SCOTUS serves a large role in maintaining ordered liberty in the United States.

Supreme Court Justices

To be a justice on the Supreme Court, the POTUS nominates individuals who are either confirmed or denied by the U.S. Senate. Over the SCOTUS history, the number of justices has fluctuated from 5-1o justices. Since 1869, 9 justices sit on the Supreme Court including the chief justice, the highest judicial officer in the nation. The role of the chief justice is to preside over the supreme court, setting the agenda for weekly meetings. The chief justice also presides over impeachment trials against the POTUS if necessary.

Supreme Court Cases

The SCOTUS has made lasting impacts on our nation, for better or for worse. In the more recent years, famous SCOTUS cases have revolutionized and fought for civil liberties. For example, Brown v. Board of Education banned school segregation during the civil rights movements and Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationally. However, there have been many cases that have perpetuated lasting negative impacts on our country as well. For example, the SCOTUS in 1857 denied citizenship to African American slaves in Dred Scott v. Sandford. In 1896, state segregation laws were upheld in Plessy v. Ferguson. 

It is no question the power and influence the SCOTUS serves within our federal government, but it is important to note how impactful the Supreme Court holds in building and maintaining ordered liberty in the United States; something that separates us from other countries. I believe the United States has been able to grow and adapt over time largely because of our unique Supreme Court. It it wild to think of the founding fathers who constructed the idea of the SCOTUS within the Constitiution which still functions heavily in our nation today.

Blog #1 My News Sources

In a world encompassed by mass media, critically examining how we consume media is essential to avoiding false perceptions of our world and reality. In order to do this, we must identify where we receive our information and differentiate whether that source is reliable.

When looking at my own sources of information, I have 5 main outlets that I often consume.

1. The Skimm

https://www.theskimm.com/

The Skimm is a morning newsletter that is sent to my email every day. I love it because every morning I can learn about the most recent news in a concise way. This provides me a quick look at what is going on so that I can utilize other news sources to dive deeper into the material The Skimm discusses. This company was created by two former news producers who wanted to reach a millennial age group so that younger people could be more involved in politics. I love recommending this resource to my friends to help them get more connected to the news.

2. Vice

https://video.vice.com/en_us/video/holiday-in-chernobyl-tourism-in-the-exclusion-zone/571e3813e9e0a25f31d44f88

Vice News is a news source that often utilizes digital media to convey their messages. I love watching their videos and documentaries that they produce because they are very well done. As I love documentaries, I appreciate Vice using videos as a form of news production. I also really like the syntax and language Vice uses because it helps me understand and relate better to the material.

3. CNN

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/04/us/blm-protests-peaceful-report-trnd/index.html

CNN is another news source I often look to for more mainstream news updates. For example, when I get notifications on my phone from the news app, it is often from CNN. Over the years I have found CNN to be very direct in the articles. I think they provide a pretty unbiased interpretation of the news compared to other outlets such as Fox and MSNBC.

4. Buzzfeed

https://www.buzzfeed.com/bestoftheinternet/tiktok

Buzzfeed is probably one of my most favorite places to receive popular culture news and updates. Not only does BuzzFeed have super fun quizzes to take, but they also present interesting information on celebrities and cultural fads. I will say I would not trust BuzzFeed as a reliable source for more serious topics, but if you want to learn about the funniest TikTok's circling right now, BuzzFeed's got you covered.

5. Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/soyouwanttotalkabout/?hl=en

The last form of media that I use to learn about current events and topics is through social media. Although social media is definitely not a super reliable source, I often learn about new issues through these types of mediums. For example, when different topics are trending on Instagram, I usually go to CNN or VICE to research more about these topics. Social media is normally more of a tool for me to learn more about a concept or issue rather than facts and detailed information. I think social media can be a great tool to gain insight on a topic through various perspectives while also bringing awareness about topics that may not get world news coverage.