Social Awareness Project

1.Media and News Immersion - Online News Articles - News Diary from 11/28/14 - 12/2/14

November 28th

The article read today was called “‘Shocking Mistake’ Exposed in Darren Wilson Grand Jury.” The article discusses one major inconsistency in the Wilson case. There was a comparison to a similar case in the supreme court back in 1979. In this case, Tennessee vs. Garner, the Supreme Court went in favor of Garner. This meant that it is now unconstitutional for a cop to kill anyone for fleeing to escape, and it must be believed that the person was violent in order to shoot them. In the Wilson trial, this information was revealed in what seemed like a deliberately confusing manner. The question one juror asked, was if that ruling had any place over Missouri statutes. The answer from an ADA was “don’t worry about it,” when a simple yes would have sufficed. It is suggested that if the jury had a better understanding of the 1979 ruling, they may have decided to indict.

This makes me believe that there was some bias in the Wilson trial. The Tennessee vs. Garner case was a fairly well known case, as evidenced when one ADA said, “we don’t want to get into law class.” So if this was a fairly known ruling, why was the jury informed to not worry about it? Since Wilson did not know if Brown was involved in an altercation or any violent activity, then Wilson would have no reason to fire. But Wilson did, and the 1979 ruling clearly says an officer can not shoot a non-violent fleeing subject. So why did prosecutors ignore this entirely? Weren’t they supposed to help indict Darren Wilson. Overall, this article makes me have doubts about the Wilson trial.

Source: thefreethoughtproject.com

November 29th

Today I read the article “Darren Wilson, Officer in Ferguson Shooting, Resigns From Police Dept.” This article describes how after intense pressure form Ferguson protestors, Darren Wilson felt the need to resign. He released a statement saying how he thought it was best for him to leave. This is one of the many demands of the protestors have made. However, protestors feel like this is not enough. They still want an indictment and will continue to peacefully protest until that happens. Overall, this does show signs of Ferguson, and the nation, on the road to recovery.

I think this is a very important development in the Ferguson protests. It shows that there is some progress being made here. And although there is a very long road to recovery and an improvement in race relations, there is an end in sight. It is also gratifying to see that many protestors are staying peaceful, and the looting and arson are limited to only a few. It’s been a tough couple of months, and there will be a couple more tough months, but things are looking up for Ferguson and Mike Brown’s family.

Source: New York Times

November 30th

Today I read the article “Bullying the Bullies,” which describes the new fad of “doxxing” on social media. What happens is, if a social media user, usually from tumblr, sees racist comments online, keep in mind that these comments can be really out of line, they will post their personal information and sometimes get them either fired from work or suspended from school. The article debates whether or not this is a fair practice. Sure, people who are so blatantly racist and post it online deserve to be punished, but is such vicious attacking really the answer?

As a participant of social media, I have witnessed people getting doxxed. Online, most people celebrate this behavior. It shames racist people and shows them that there are consequences for their actions. This article tries to point out that there are better ways of handling this type of behavior, although it doesn’t really specify many other options. Yes, it is harsh, but it sends a strong message. In my opinion, doxxing is justified and if you think it’s okay to say such offensive things on social media, or anywhere else, you deserve whatever outrage and punishment that comes for you.

Source: techcrunch.com

December 1st

Today I read the article “Terry Crews is ‘Not Going to be Silent’ about Feminism.” The article explains how TV star Terry Crews, currently on ‘Brooklyn Nine Nine,’ expressed his view on feminism in an interview. He wants men to stop treating women as trophies, and even compares this abuse of women to the Taliban or ISIS. He understands feminism and wants more men to know about it.

I think this article, and Terry Crews’ actions are very important. We are used to only hearing female celebrities talk about feminism and the unfair treatment of women, such as Emma Watson or Beyonce, but we don’t hear men out on the issue as often. But here, Terry Crews freely discusses his opinion on feminism and urges other men to respect the feminist movement. I think this is a big step for feminism, because if the issue is supposed to be properly discussed, both men and women have to weigh in on the issue.

Source: TIME

December 2nd

Today I read the article “Ray Rice tells ‘Today’ Show He Had ‘One Bad Night.” In this article, infamous football player Ray Rice, tries to redeem himself in an interview with the Today Show. He claims that he only had “one bad night” and hopes the NFL would give him a “second chance.” He explains that he and his wife, the one who he had beaten, are happily married and that he would do anything for her. It is also explained that Ray Rice is no longer suspended, but no team has decided to hire him.

I don’t think that Ray Rice deserves redemption. There is literally footage of him beating his then fiancee, and that is not acceptable. Even if he just had a bad night, that doesn’t make it okay. He could have another bad night, and who would he hurt then? Passion or excitement doesn’t excuse domestic abuse. Ray Rice can do as many interviews as he wants, but I don’t think the public will ever forgive him, let alone let him on to a football team.

4.   Reading Response to a Social Issue in a Literary Work - Song

With its catchy chorus and mellow beat, “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People managed to be a hit song back in 2011. However, this seemingly simplistic song sounds a lot more sinister when you listen to it a second time. The story “Pumped Up Kicks” tells is of the troubled teen, Robert, who after finding his father’s gun, is preparing to shoot other people. This disturbing narrative becomes even more powerful when compared to school shootings such as the Sandy Hook Newtown shooting. But this isn’t the only reason this somewhat cheery song is so eerie. “Pumped Up Kicks” investigates the mind of an outcast and how isolation and abuse can have an affect on a teen.

In order to properly express this narrative, the singers decided to write it in first person and from the point of view of the killer, not the victim. It is very essential that the song is in the point of view of the outcast. On the news, the reports of violence being committed by psychopaths can never be explained. However, in this song we can get the reasoning used by Robert, though it is flawed, instead of just seeing the carnage that someone like the victim would see. We can clearly see the causes of this teen’s anger. He mentions how his dad is coming home late and bringing a “dark surprise.” One way this surprise could be interpreted is as abuse. This is also supported by the fact that his father has a closet with a gun inside along with a “box of fun things.” So his father is a source of abuse, or at the very least, neglect, and that’s already enough to push a kid over the edge. Robert also seems to be ostracized from his peers. He says, “All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you better run, better run, outrun my gun.” His anger is directed at his peers who have “pumped up kicks.” After some research, I discovered that these “kicks” were referring to the Reebok Pump Basketball Shoe. These were essentially another option that one could buy, instead of getting Air Jordans. People who tended to buy these had money to spare. Robert on the other hand probably doesn’t, considering it appears to be only him and his dad, who works late. So his peers could be ignoring him due to his economic status. Or, it could be that he just doesn’t fit in. He doesn’t wear these pumped up kicks like everyone else, and he feels separated and different because of it. Because of these reasons, Robert clearly feels very frustrated and he thinks the only way he can feel better is targeting those who hurt him.

Although we know understand why Robert seems to be in this emotional state, we must also address why he is so emotionally turbulent. Is the problem bullying and social exclusion, parental abuse, or just a psychological problem. Perhaps it is a combination of all three. What we have to do after addressing the cause of these shootings, we must find the solution. School shootings are tragedies of the worst kind. The only way to stop them is to stop it at the source. Hopefully people will one day realize this.

5.   Write an Original Literary Piece - Poem

“Crying”

people anywhere and everywhere

are crying out

from here to there

throughout the world people shout

for freedom and peace

and things about

justice, and the need to be free

but some people

refuse to see

they ignore and quiet

those who speak out

leaving no choice but to riot

silence is what is desired

to snuff out the voices

but it only makes them tired

freedom of speech is what we need

and the charade can only stay up for so long

before its wounds start to bleed

so people join hand in hand 

to get what we demand

but everyone knows

how the story goes

sometimes silence wins

and that’s the challenge

My poem “Crying” is mainly about the current protests going on throughout the world. We all know here in the United States that people are protesting the events in Ferguson. However, the rest of the world is in outrage to. In Mexico, Russia, and Hong Kong people are standing up for their rights. And people in other countries lend there support by protesting in the name of a cause. But this poem isn’t only about protesting and people wanting their rights. It’s also about censorship and what governments will do to silence there people. From tear gas and rubber bullets to the warped portrayals in the media, people in power like to stay in power and silence the opposition. Sometimes it succeeds, and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s like a tug of war, people against their leaders. I ended the poem on an ominous note because, sometimes people forget. The news will seem boring and no one will want to hear about it anymore. And the demand for human rights fades into the background. That’s partially why there is so much outrage now, people either didn’t remember or didn’t care, but hopefully, people will finally hear the world crying out and give it the attention it deserves.