Extra, Extra!

Our way of putting news out in print has maintained a certain structure: A concise, yet captivating title, an introductory paragraph that tells you who, what, when, where, and why, and more paragraphs laying out the evidence and details. Deliver news by means of a newspaper has, more often than not, kept biases out, right. Ha, no.

In some ways it has been used to create a subtle divide through how the picture is painted. It has become a tool to expand racism, to strike fear, and to sway people into viewing things a particular way. 

Some examples:

When The Media Treats White Suspects And Killers Better Than Black Victims

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WHITE MASS SHOOTERS ARE TREATED MORE SYMPATHETICALLY BY THE MEDIA

Racism and the Media: A Textual Analysis

News media offers consistently warped portrayals of black families, study finds

And that is only a few of the first ones that come up. So, what do these articles have in common? They use studies to back up their ideas that there is a divide in how white persons versus people of color are depicted. 

Now, this goes beyond just newspaper. Ya see, no longer are news papers really all that relevant. Now, it's the same idea - except its all over the internet just waiting for people to get angry and share it. So, we are perpetuating the divide by allowing the obvious bias to consume us before we know the actual facts. And because certain people are painted more negatively by some, we (by default) view them more negatively. 

A way of gaining information has become a way of losing out on our unbiased truths in things happening around us. 

My Writing: Academic vs Casual

I have noticed that when it comes to writing for academic purposes it sounds so confined and like I am trying to sound prestigious (which i am far from). For example, in academic writing I would never end a sentence with a preposition. But here I am, doing it now. Writing like I talk. Which is - a bit like how a high school girl speaks. Rocking it. 

When I write on a platform such as this, I try to appeal to anyone who could be reading. It doesn't feel like a grade. But even this, knowing it is a grade, is still a bit more formal than if I were to post a general thought to my own, personal blog. However, in both situations I am more comfortable allowing the words to flow. I don't feel like I have to be concise - I can take the time to say "Here's what I'm thinking," "Oh, and this," and "Ya know, this, too." I don't have to limit myself to having only one opinion on something. I am not restricted. And that, that is something that I will always appreciate about a more public, open forum.

Love, Not Like

Love and Marriage 

"goes together like a horse and carriage..."

Or, like a game of Russian Roulette. Who will fall victim to the deadly blow? 

I must say, though reading the Amorous Lady was fun, I will forever love the competition (if it we can even call it that) between Jonathan Swift and Lady Mary Wortley Montague. Though, it is obvious even in these poems that the saying is true: Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. 

I am beyond impressed with her ability to take his words and use them against him, I mean, honestly, who would have thought that works? (*cough* *Cough* women everywhere *cough* *cough*) Though I doubt that many of us are able to reach her level of savageness. 

See, here'e where my respect for him diminishes: He tries to make women sound disgusting. Like, have you met men?!? You want to talk about foul smells and realizations. Don't get me wrong, women are not perfect, but we come much closer than men. (Please note: I do want to hate on men, I simply reply to his harsh words less respectfully than Lady Montague)

But honestly though: did home-slice think he was going to get away without any repercussion? Has he actually met a woman or was he in the wrong dressing room? Bless him.

I will say this type of back and forth has never truly gone away. I love all the petty back and forth remarks as seen on Facebook and other social media. People are constantly calling out the other sex and putting it on blast. Why? Because if one person  has a felling/opinion on a matter then someone else probably shares the same thoughts. 

Though some may take it to heart and respond in a point-blank "calling you out" kind of way, others simply look at it, acknowledge some of the truth, and say suck it up, buttercup.