The Limited View of the News

Terrorist attacks occurred in Mumbai, India in the past week. There were over 200 deaths. How much coverage did this event get in the media eye? Close to none. CNN ran the event for 24 hours, but that was one of the only channels. Why is it that if death happens in other countries it's not as serious as when it happens in the United States? Like in a discussion in class, the 9-11 attack was overly publicized and on every station on television for months and months. And why? Because it's America. We are so dramatic when it comes to our country and our people. I'm not saying that the attack shouldn't have been publicized. I just think that it's ridiculous when events similar to that happen in other parts of the world and aren't publicized and aren't taken seriously just because it isn't happening here. How are U.S. citizens supposed to be informed when our source of news is controlled again by a select few who choose what they want society to see? How are Americans supposed to have a valid view and comprehension of the world and its issues when the coverage on them is slight and distorted? The attack in India is just one example of how the media has a limited view.

I know Now

I know now, like I kinda knew before why people aspire to be celebrities, and give them such glory. It's because they are the select elite in our country, where everyone knows their name. Who at some point in their life doesn't want to be well-known? I bet it feels good to feel individualized in a sea of billions.

A Never-ending Conversation

Every now and then I will probably say something about celebrity media and how terrible it is. I could talk forever (though I'm not) about how persuasive and manipulative this type of media is. It can control your life and consume your daily conversations. I know, because I have been subjected to it and a witness of it. It is now considered normal and even conversation-friendly to bring up an event related to a celebrity. To me, it's just scary.

So Last Century

The discussion of the Stephen Lewis column led me to write this post. Hundreds of years ago, African Americans were brought to America and bought and sold to wealthy white men. Hundreds of years later, even though America is filled with hundreds of races and ethnicities, the country is still known for its binary racism of black and white. It's a very ignorant perspective. And most of these perspectives and notions are stemmed from media. Because the media chooses to represent the problems only among the those two races, those are the only racial conflicts that mass society will likely see. It doesn't even have to be conflict. Until recently, other races such as Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Latin American, and Central American people weren't really represented in our media world, even though they exist and are just as much present as Blacks and Whites. And it all comes back to binary racism. Hopefully, with our new President-elect, Barack Obama, America will overcome this obstacle of the races.

On a Lighter Note...

Not all media and its content is malevolent. Some media content allows people to know how to check for certain cancers, how to eat healthier, and suggestions for everyday exercise. Good media can keep people informed to live healthy lives.

That's right.

Even when it comes to basic living, media plays a role in our lives. Although social norms play a large part in what's culturally acceptable, media makes those things popular. When I say basic living, I mean what stereo to buy, what stove to purchase, what exercise video to use. Advertising and media not only persuade people to spend their money, but where to spend their money. Consequently, the media is our nation's biggest trendsetter.

Submerged

It's no wonder that children and adults today find heroes in celebrities. Celebrities' faces are plastered everywhere. They're idolized, cherished, and envied. People want they're lives, their cars, their style, their haircut, their clothes, anything that resembles that person. However, these celebrities would be nothing without media.