Monday, October 29, 2012

The Media And The 2012 Presidential Campaign

Something that we have been discussing a little bit in class, is the effect of news media on the presidential campaign this year. More specifically is how the media affects a possible voter and who he will end up choosing this November. As I was browsing various news sites such as CNN, Huffington Post and NYTimes I noticed that many of the headlines regarding the campaigns today were the results of various polls and which candidate was leading. On the Huffington Post, I noticed this article. To read it click here. This is something that is not just showing up today, its been the obsession of the news media to be displaying daily polls and who is leading and by how many percentage points. These polls often display where registered voters are leaning towards giving their vote and if they are still undecided, who is their most likely pick. 

I started to wonder how these various polls influence potential voters who read these news sources. Also how did these voters know to trust these polls and know that they are accurate? Finally, why would they let other peoples opinions influence their vote? These are just some questions that I have started to think about. What do you think?

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Hidden Messages?


Something that was brought up in class this week was the possibility of hidden messages in some of the children's books that are being read today, when I was in kindergarten and 1st grade, and even before then. I thought that was so interesting because its definitely not a connection I have ever made before. When reading them as children, they come off as entertaining books with big pictures and a fun story along with that. I know that my parents often had to read my favorite books to me several times before going to bed. So after that being brought up in class, I decided to do a little research and see if any common children’s books had “secret” messages in them.
            I first looked at Dr. Seuss’ Wikipedia page. Dr. Seuss was one of the most popular children book authors, writing books such as Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat. These may come off to children just as simple books but almost every book had a meaning attached to it. The Lorax was said to be about environmentalism and How the Grinch Stole Christmas about anti-consumerism. I wonder if these messages really are secret or if children really can pick up on them, they just don’t realize it.
            Another important and very popular book was Where the Wild Things Are. This book not only was banned in libraries for years after its release but was also named one of the Top 100 Picture Books of all Time. I know this was definitely one of my favorites growing up. I wonder if the secret messages in books and the banning of certain books is mainly an American thing to do? What do you think?

Monday, October 15, 2012

Promises


            In the past few weeks, I have been following the CPS strike and all of the other news surrounding that. One personal reason for that is I have a lot of friends who attend various CPS high schools such as Lincoln Park, Walter Payton, or Northside so I’m very interested in keeping up with the news directing affecting their schools. Although the strike has stopped after about 8 days, I have begun to question the lasting effect it will have on school students, teachers, and administrators. Will this hurt or help the students in the end? Will the teachers be more willing to go on strike in the future? We might not know the answer until later this year at minimum.
            Recently though Chicago Public School CEO, Jean-Claude Brizard was replaced by Barbara Byrd-Bennett who Rahm Emanuel placed in that position. Byrd-Bennett believes she has what it takes to turn any CPS school around that needs help.  She says she is very relatable to many students because, “I come from less than blue collar” and “somebody with integrity and honesty.”
            While in this interview she makes a very convincing case for herself as the strongest person to take over as CEO of one of the biggest public school districts in the country, because she was personally appointed by Rahm Emanuel. However it could be an interesting dynamic between her and the teachers. Emanuel and the CPS Union President Karen Lewis have had many disagreements over the past years. Some possible questions come up as to how will the teachers and Byrd-Bennett get along? Will any more conflicts arise? Will Byrd-Bennett be able to keep her promises and turn CPS schools around?

Monday, October 8, 2012

Childhood Obesity in America


It was really interesting to me when I checked the American Studies website, was Mr. Bolos’ blog post on is the issue of physical health and mental health. Even more specifically, the physical health issues in American children. I first started to learn about the rising obesity rates when I watched the documentary, Super Size Me, in one of my health classes. To learn more about this documentary, click on Super Size Me. It shocked me when I learned about the types of food the majority of children in the US were eating and the rising implications of that.  Because of rising food costs and gas costs, getting to a grocery store for some low-income families can be extremely difficult. Besides the fact of just getting to a store, the high prices of fruits and vegetables and quality meat can make these foods just not an option. For example, the other day I was in a Whole Foods market and decided to pick just one apple to eat before practice. The cost of this tiny apple was $1.77. Just for ONE apple. I was at a loss for words and it made me think even more about how families would just not be able to afford fresh fruits and vegetables like this.  The result of this is that many families might have to turn to fast food restaurants and packaged foods. These foods are high in carbohydrates and fats, and very low in nutritional value. Once in a while, fast food wouldn’t be harmful to someone’s overall health. But when growing children have to eat food like this three to five times a week, it can be extremely detrimental. 
This issue has been brought up nationally, from First Lady Michelle Obamas, “Let’s Move” campaign to even the military saying that we wont have enough fit and healthy recruits for the army if the obesity rates continue to rise. The “Let’s Move” campaign is focused on educating adults and even children on the consequences of obesity, how to eat healthier, and plans activities nation wide in support of children being active. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, “childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years” and nearly “1 in 3 children in the United States is overweight or obese”. These numbers continue to shock me especially because I feel like where I live, these numbers don’t seem to add up. I have now began to wonder even more about the correlation between low-income families and obesity, and the access to grocery stores depending on where you live. Also what does it say about America and how we have let childhood obesity come so far? How come we have not taken more of an initiative to end this? What are some possible solutions to this problem?