While we would all like to be color blind, the reality is that President Obama is the first African American (or African and American in his case) to hold the nation's highest office. It is an achievement for a portion of our population as large as or perhaps larger than another young president, John F. Kennedy overcoming strong prejudice against both Catholics and the Irish nearly a half century earlier.
The issue being discussed in the media, social meetings, across kitchen tables in in living rooms across the nation more than most of us would like to admit. This past weekends mostly caucasian faces at the FOX encourged "tea party" rally in Washington DC has raised the issue of how much of an issue any racial divide in our country may be for the still new president (not yet 8 months in office) and how his programs are being received.
This link is to a story on NPR this morning;
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112839248&sc=nl&cc=ph-20090915
Another aspect of the race issue lie in the open hatred in posters, slogans and e-mail exhanges about the new president equating him with Hitler, Stalin, referring to President Obama by his race and the rise of the "tree of liberty" slogan and movement.
The assuming that an African-American president would be more likely to support extend government supported services to illegal immigrants is also obvious in the rhetoric (including visual rhetoric) of those protesting.
How has this impacted votes in the actual Congress, the nature of the Town Hall Meetings, the bias in reporting of both and the overall perception of Obama as president?
Or, do you feel that this is a dated fear and no longer an issue in the United States?
Could it vary by geography? By age? By income level?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Tree of Liberty
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
-Thomas Jefferson
What do you think this means?
Under what context as it first written?
Does it apply today?
Is it being used properly by those wearing T-shirt with the phrase emblazoned on the shirts?
-Thomas Jefferson
What do you think this means?
Under what context as it first written?
Does it apply today?
Is it being used properly by those wearing T-shirt with the phrase emblazoned on the shirts?
Friday, August 7, 2009
In a Linked-In discussion a pro-business individual proposed that we need to find a way for the end user (reader, viewer) to pay for their access to news. To some extent that is already true, as we pay for internet service, we pay for the newspaper, and we pay for cable...but to have to pay for the news that should be a public service and is a key part to keeping our nation free...I have a real problem with that.
My students do not and will no pay for news.
It's a new generation out there, so pay models will only lead to an informed elite and uninformed malleable masses.
The fourth estate needs to be available and accessible for everyone for free or we could lose the core of our American Democracy, where every citizen has the right to an informed vote.
Interests in news in this iPod age are declining, at least among high school and college students. We see or are in contact with those who eat up news, as I do, but the reality is that most Americans are uninformed by choice.
Then too there is the recession. How can you ask people to pay for something they can live without? Those of us news junkies will pay, but only what we can afford and then we drop subscriptions more than we add.
The survey is very misleading as it limits choices to one (for example I seek our national and international news, particularly that which does not attract the masses in six minute increments).
I read the newspaper for its in depth coverage (New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and finally our flimsy and very politically bias local paper the Review Journal).
I watch CNN and for a joke turn to see what Fox is covering.
I listen to public radio over the air and on line, the BBC, have my satellite radio on various international news channels (paid lifetime subscription when I had the funds). I also read journals, on-line news services and news magazines.
But I am a junkie.
Most Americans avoid news or simply watch the entertainment ratings based local newscast.
Again, if we charge for media access we could well lose the base of an informed electorate, of our very Democracy.
The elite will continue to have a lock on our nation.
Libraries
When was the last time I went physically into a library? Every week, but then I am a tactile person and live two blocks from one. They have special collections and a certain feeling that cannot be obtained anywhere, at least easily. A place to contemplate, explore the book next to the one you are interested in on the shelf, just think and sort as you walk the shelves scanning related subjects or articles. And they have trained professional librarians.
Library means collection, which goes well beyond books. The loss of libraries would mean the loss of the art galleries, performing arts centers, meeting rooms, viewing room, expertise and other resources they bring, well beyond a collection of physical books.
Public libraries have value in our society. They provide all of what I listed above and more. They are a wall against creeping illiteracy, ignorance and the dumbing down of our overall society. Parents who do use libraries never bring their kids to the library. What strata of society do they come from? What will happen if this trend continues? I am with Ray Bradbury, who grew up practically living in the library. It opens the mind, imagination and intellect.
So, yes, traditional libraries hold great value to our society and its future.
As to virtual libraries, they have their place and their value is increasing. However consider these thoughts:
What if there is a war or natural disaster involving magnetic pulse and electronics stop working? Not science fiction as there are natural causes for such pulses and it is very much both a military weapon and a side impact of nuclear weaponry.
Access to virtual libraries required technology that cost money and takes service? What of the poor, or those who live in a society where a government or a corporation keeps people from having access to information?
Tactile paper and ink libraries can be hidden, transported, displayed and stored in homes or collections.
The building and its contents remind the community that it is a real flesh and blood community, with resources and identity. Often libraries hold local history, writing, art, culture and identity.
There is a physical feeling and pleasure to reading a tactile book. Its touch, smell, the reality that others have read it, the wear and tears that add character and value.
Virtual has its place, but we need both buildings and on-line in the Ethernet.
Besides the best place for those who do not have funds, or those whose technology is aging, or those who just want to be away from home, school or work, to access what is in the ether-world is at their local or campus library.
Art Lynch
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