The Lure of the Mass Media

From: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/08/01/world/africa/20110802-SOMALIA-11.html

The world is a funny place. People only care about mass horrors happening around the world when the media pays attention. The media has been “advertising” the famine in Somalia. Famines do not happen overnight, but we are a reactionary society. A soon as the NY Times or CNN puts up a picture of a baby starving to death and it reaches the "masses" the world freak outs. The “CNN effect” has helped to bring attention to events and issues happening in our globally community, but the effects on society are fleeting. Everyday people coming across images and new articles and begin thinking, "OMG, those poor children." Our society love’s "Delicious Horrors," (Rozario, Kevin."Delicious Horrors": Mass Culture, The Red Cross, and the Appeal of Modern American Humanitarianism) we cannot turn away from the awfulness. We feed on it. Yet, it’s a time old tale, as soon as the media leaves we will forgot about Somalia. I mean come on; the media barely covers Darfur, where thousands of children are still starving to death.

Africa is a scary place that needs so much help. I wish I had the answer, but I truly believe Africans need to save themselves. I know this is a conversational statement to make, but if Africa as a continent is to become strong then the African Union needs to step up and take action. The AU has made many strides from transitioning from the OAU, but it is still not enough. They complain of lack of money, but the organization is still filled with corruptive leaders. We need strong and powerful leaders that will make changes. The AU needs strong laws with enforcement mechanism. Without the AU stepping up, more famines will occur. More people will die each day and more Africans will be forgotten.

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/networks-step-up-coverage-in-famine-zones/

Words to Live By

Some quotes I stumbled upon that I thought were worth sharing...

Osama is Dead and Our Reaction

Many Americans celebrated the death of Osama bin Laden last night and our T.V. screens were filled with people celebrating and waving American flags. "Justice has been served," but those images bear a striking resemblances to the images of the terrorist celebrating after 9/11. It is eerie to see those images side by side.



I am proud of my country, but these images really make me wonder about what justice is and who decides who is right and wrong. Each side believes they are right and that other side is evil and wrong. This day has brought back many memories of 9/11 and all of the people who were lost on that day. One must also remember all the armed forces and innocent civilians that have also been killed in the Middle East for the search for this one man. I truly hope, America hasn't opened another can of worms and that bin Laden's death does not bring about extreme retaliation.

It times like this that we need to question every action that is taken and this will make our country stronger. Anyone who questions the death penalty could ask these questions. We must all remember our humanity at these times and be thankful that we can recognize it.