Discrimination

In Dallas, Texas there has been a movement against the African American culture. Did you know that there are people trying to dictate what you kind of clothes you can wear?
In the past few weeks there have been two new laws brought forward by the city, to decide if it will be legal to wear "baggy pants" or pants that show any underwear. And a law that would ban loud bass music while driving. If you look at these laws you should immediately realize that these so called "city ordinances" are an attack on the African American culture, much less an all out assault on our freedoms as an individual.
If me or any other person feels as though they should wear pants of any type then let it be. I feel as though this is a HUGE step backwards for all of humanity if these inconceivable laws become enforced. Will we sacrifice our right to individuality and freedom for our communities to be "less black"? I hope not.

Jena 6

I find Jena 6 an extremely interesting topic. Many people are crying racism and others are flat out denying it. What I would like to know is the truth. What we know for sure is that 6 black kids beat up one white kid. This alone would start a mad rush of anger if this were the only part of the story. However, it is not. We also know that white kids were harassing the black kids and putting up nooses in the trees where the black kids were sitting. People claim this is freedom of speech, but any intelligent person would recognize that this is not freedom of speech but a direct mental assault on a group of children. Were these kids punished for hanging nooses, I do not know. Were the black kids treated fairly for what they did to the white kid, I do not know. The only thing I know, is that I know nothing.

The Disabled

The one group of minorities that we rarely hear about is the disabled. I often wonder what would happen in certain situations (I.E. 9/11) if you where disabled and stuck in the buildings without an elevator; however I rarely hear anything of the sort make it to the local or national media. I believe there is a definite stigma going around about disabled people in todays society and that is, that they are not disabled, they are just "faking" it. I work for a police department and you wouldn't believe how many times Ive heard someone say that they see people all the time with handicap placards they do not need them. My question is "do they?". Do these handicapped people need the "convenience" of a closer parking space. The answer I believe, is yes. Yes they do need these little things that make their lives easier. Its the least we can do as a society to help take a little stress of these people that are not as privileged as you and me.

Stereotypes in Mass Media

Stereotyping to me is a nessecary evil. Stereotyping in the media however, i find not only incorrect but harmful to our society. I do not mean that the news shouldn't show an african american male robbing a store. I mean that it should not show this and the turn around and show 5 more african males being put in jail. A lot of people argue that these things should be put in the media because it is a part of freedom of speech. The freedom we have for speaking does not mean we can say and do whatever we want. I believe it means we can say and do whatever we want as long as it does not directly negatively affect another individual or group of individuals.

My news habits

I generally get my news from three sources: TV, internet, and Quick newspaper. I read/watch news at least once a day.
Online news I get from Yahoo! front page, and I read articles about science, technology and astronomy. Offline news I get from the Quick newspaper; I read the sports section, local and funnies. I probably seek news out around three hours a week.
My assumptions for race/gender/sexualities/disabilities in the media is that the demographics need to be filled. It doesn't matter if a group of people are offended by something in the media, because a demographic wants to see/hear that, otherwise it wouldn't be in existence.