Media and Politics

I was surprised to find that if you change the frame of a situation you are also changing the schema. When we read about the LA Riots, it was interesting to learn that Oprah felt that the people who were causing the riots were just punks on a rampage. By her being black, she was able to take that stance. When we went through the list of causes for apathy, it was sad to see how bored people have become of politics. This past election was an exception, but for the most part constituent feel as if they have loss the popular control. Many feel that their one vote isn't going to change anything.

Race

This week in class, I was surprised to learn about Race. We have learned through the school systems about the racial problems the Blacks faced with the Whites. After doing the readings, I realized how our minds are effected by how the media portrays an individual. The thought has never crossed my mind that Sandra O or Michelle Kwan were a "different" race. It also embarrasses me how my white ancestors looked at blacks. The video we watched made me realize how bad it probably was during the early years. To know that blacks had to darken their skin and widen their smiles due to our portrayal of them is sickening. I do feel that blacks and other races still face racial problems, but I also feel that young children are being taught that there isn't a difference between white, yellow, and black skin!

Gender

During the past election, we were able to see how Men and Women are viewed in the media. One of the most major things I would relate to the article, is how Sarah Palin was described as a beauty queen who used republican money to buy a new wardrobe. Palin and Clinton were both compared to one another in how they dressed. The women had to make it clear they would be strong enough to hold such a position. The men have always been shown as strong figures who can run a country. Clinton was also in a tough position due to her pubic life. She had already been the first lady, a Senator, and now was running for President. The media didn't know how to portray her. I feel as if they through out everything they already knew about her and just showed her as the first female running for president. Rather than showing all her strengths she has had in her political life.