Jour 4250: January 25 lecture

During class today, we were shown a video that discussed news coverage and the bias that can easily seep into stories that are featured. This video started a lot of good conversation of which I was able to take part in. I commented that a possible marketing reason for airing crime stories first was to reel in the audience due to humankind love for self. Questions like why should I care? or how will this effect me? initially enter into our minds. Personally, I do feel that many of the crime stories aired, whether about crimes done by whites or by another minority ethnicity, are put into the media to aid the public in making smarter decisions or to raise an awareness. The media has only a brief moment to capture its audience and they do so by displaying why people should care first and foremost.
Throughout the conversation in our class we were able to touch on the unfair treatment of people, whether white, black, hispanic, female or male, and how it is seen played out in our government and police force. As a white female with blonde hair, I am often labeled as a bimbo or as someone who is more interested in getting attention for my looks than my intelligence. I am aware that these stereotypes are put on me, yet it gives me even more of a reason to grow in my knowledge and wisdom to further downplay these negative schemas. Due to my beliefs in Jesus Christ, I am no longer held to an American standard of which I am to be or act like, but believe that I should fear the Lord and not mankind and what they may or may not think of me. Once I let these accusations and stereotypes go, I am able to focus on who the Lord has made me and how I may glorify His name in all of my words and work. This is not to say that I do not feel these pressures of proving myself and how I am different, only that I should not place my identity in other's eyes.