Monday, July 13, 2020

Does Media Manipulate Readers

Does media manipulate readers? Remember the story from Seattle about the driver who ran over two protesters during a Black Lives Matter demonstration that closed I-5 in both directions?

Answer these questions before reading the rest of the story.

Was the driver white or black?
Were the BLM protesters black or white?

Now read this article, "Selective Media Reporting Further Fuels Our Racial Divide",
by John R. Lott, Jr.

Were your answers correct?

Prof. Lott is a respected researcher, well-known for his book More Guns, Less Crime. Within the article, he has this to say about the media:

"Race and politics increasingly divide Americans, and selective media reporting is largely to blame. The media, not President Donald Trump, is fanning the flames of violence."

How can you combat this divide? Get the facts before chiseling your opinion in stone.

"School Closures Threaten Kids More Than COVID-19, Pediatricians Say"

The headline above a recent newsletter article brings an additional and important point-of-view for parents' consideration. Click here for the article.

At the July 9, 2020 Richland 2 school board meeting a presentation with graphs was made that showed the concerns of various groups in Richland 2 (students, parents, staff) about the re-opening of schools. You can view that presentation on the YouTube recording of the school board meeting.

Too often I hear "Why don't 'they' do more?" Well, they are we. Are you involved in the planning for your child's education with consideration of the current conditions? Did you respond to Richland 2's survey?

Are you griping about what Trump is (or is not) doing? I mean, President Trump. I am so tired of people saying "Trump". (I know, I know. I am surrounded by too many Democrats.) 

The U.S. Department of Education is not making knee-jerk decisions. Nor is the South Carolina Department of Education. Nor is Richland 2.