“Disaster Photos: Newsworthy or Irresponsible??”

  

After reading the article “Disaster Photos: Newsworthy or Irresponsible?” I started to think of what I would do in an emergency situation. Do I flee or do I document? The authors of the article argue whether it is dangerous for individuals to take cellphone pictures during emergency situations. Authors Memmott, Levin, and Livadas used the photos taken by the plane crash survivor Eddie Ho as an example. Ho was a passenger on Air France flight 358 when it crashed, landing in Toronto in 2005. While exiting the wreck, he was able to snap many photos of other fleeing passengers from inside and outside of the wreckage. Although his photos were used by many media outlets while reporting on the incident the question still remains, is it worth the risk to snap a few photos during emergency situations? I say “no.”

In this day and age almost everyone has a cellphone camera on them at all times. People are encouraged by social media sites to chronicle their lives almost hourly in the forms of pictures, tweets, and hashtags.  The article raises a very good point, how safe is it for a person to be more concerned about catching footage of an emergency situation rather than trying to save their own lives. Personally, I believe this trend is incredibly irresponsible. There have been many times I have seen survivor footage and thought to myself, “stop filming and get out of there,” as the camera person just stands there and makes sounds of concern. Often times these individuals could be in the way and cause their selves harm by focusing on getting the picture(s), instead of heading for safety. They can also stall emergency personnel from responding to the real threat because they are in the way trying to film.  Johnathan Klein president of CNN calls this behavior, “that primordial urge to record ones’ history.” I call it mans’ desire to have an “I was there” proof video. Photojournalism and reporting should be left up to the professional news crews and amateur cellphone photographers should keep their distance.

~Lady Tiffany

 

Mark Memmot, Alan Levin, and Greg Livadas present the current issues in the media and the news in their article “Disaster Photos: Newsworthy or Irresponsible?” The article sheds some light over the issues of stopping during a disaster to take photos. Today, it is common for just about everyone to have a camera. They are embedded within phones and even music devices such as mp3 players. Photos taken by survivors have been helpful in the past to document historical moments and have been helpful in investigating causes. Although photos from survivors have been helpful and amusing, media broadcasters are taking it too far. People are putting their own lives at risk for the sake of getting the perfect photo and for covering breaking news live. Helen Muir, professor at Cranfield University states, “In most crash cases, the average person has two minutes from the first spark to conditions not being survivable in the cabin.” Two minutes is only an estimated amount of time and it is unexpected for a person to put their own life at risk for the sake of a photo. Just because cameras are widely assessable does not mean that everyone or anyone should risk it all for the history of one photo. 

Cameras are a part of our current culture in America. The advancement of technology is always moving towards the next best thing. A new technological feature being used today is the use of cameras on traffic lights. This new camera device captures pictures for those who do not adhere to traffic laws. This new feature is interesting because the camera is able to capture an image clearly, accurately, and within seconds. Stopping during tragic moments to take a picture puts everyone at risk for survival, especially when we already have technology implemented for the sake of capturing moments that the average person cannot catch on their own. Dying simply does not satisfy the importance of catching disastrous moments by photo.  

 ~Lady Cherelle

"The Color Purple" Movie Review

   

   The Color Purple, a critically acclaimed Stephen Spielberg film based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book written by Alice Walker, is a moving depiction of pre-civil rights era African American experiences surrounded around a mistreated and timid woman named Celie played by Whoopi Goldberg. When considering the various issues that are imaginatively covered in the film by the Academy Award winning director such as rape, domestic violence, racism, and poverty to name a few, it is easy to comprehend why the movie received a noteworthy amount of award nominations. The story’s vivid developments and believable outcomes would agitate the average person’s emotions and pull at their heartstrings; however the story has received its share of unfavorable reviews. Regardless of the opinion formed after watching the controversial film, the impression left from the intense characters will be difficult to remove from your psyche.

The story opens with force, illustrating the dealings of child marriage, families being torn apart, as well as the feelings of bondage and violation that can be realized by a person who is forced into an arranged union. Living in the picturesque rural south, Celie is a young girl who is forced to marry a man in lieu of his true desire; Celie’s more physically attractive but younger sister. As a result of the trade, Celie is exposed to a life of despairing treatment. She compares sexual encounters with her vile husband to him using the bathroom or “doing his business”.  Feminine viewers would find it difficult to not empathize with Celie as she faces the sexual abuse at the hand of her spouse.

    Domestic violence, adultery, and ultimately divorce are visible elements of the movie as well. Celie’s step-daughter in- law, Sophia played by Oprah Winfrey, confronts her in the beautifully landscaped southern fields about coaching Sophia’s husband to use physical abuse her. The betrayal that is felt by Sophia is palpable when she exclaims “you told Harpo to beat me” to an astounded Celie. Sophia’s wrath continues as she challenges the adulterous relationship that Harpo is having with another woman. Ultimately Harpo and Sophia’s marriage would end in separation. Celie would also go on to separate and disassociate herself from the violence received by her despised husband, Mr.  The period covered lends the backdrop of lack of privilege and perceived inferiority that the majority of blacks dealt with during that time.

    Racism and poverty are evident as the characters live in a segregated town surrounded by white towns where they are considered less than equal to their neighbors. The fiery Sophia encounters a Caucasian female that would change her life for the worse, landing her in jail and making her children and Sophia work for her upon her release. Whites are seen displayed as business owners, mobile, and financially favored while blacks appear to be absent from the lifestyle amenities afforded to the white population.  The picture keeps you entertained with each character’s navigation through life’s ills of a recent post slavery time that is infused with abundance of sexism.

    Rated “the year’s best film” by Roger Ebert, The Color Purple’s numerous distinguished honors include eleven Academy Award nominations. Stephen Spielberg created a riveting motion picture, which assisted in him becoming a sought after Hollywood director. His excellent ability to capture the author’s purpose and expressions while constructing such a captivating movie was clearly overlooked by the evidence of Oscar snubs the film experienced. Critics have said that the film was unbelievable, exaggerated at times, and stereotypical. The Academy Award winning director Oliver Stone has defended the movie, stating that it is an “excellent film that attempts to deal with overlooked issues”.  The Color Purple is a classic film that is deserving of its notoriety and should be seriously considered for one’s viewing pleasures. 

     ~Lady Chandra

    Without a doubt, the film entitled “The Color Purple” it is indeed a historical, compelling, horrific and ideal movie for the past ordeals in history. By far, the director Steven Spielberg orchestrated a film that would exhibit the historical conditions of old; Spielberg does this by indicating the past slavery conditions and inferences of modern illustrations for the diverse audiences. It is evident that this movie portrays slavery to its core and arranged marriages as a nightmare. Inclusive to the latter mishaps, we find adultery explicitly illustrated to its core, incest by far, bondage, captivity and sexism displayed; but eventually we see a change which results in the freedom and the escape for someone who is wounded and once bounded in both mind and body.

    The key actor in this film is Celie. Celie represents a black woman of the early decades who grows up in the rural South and she is surrounded by cruelty. Beyond her playful and serene childhood, the film takes a sudden turn. Unfortunately, there is a sudden climax in the movie which infers incest, and we see that Celie became pregnant, and we learn that her father has made her pregnant; Celie is forced to give away her child.

The movie became more intriguing when Celie became married (through an arranged marriage) at a tender age—it is here another nightmare evolves in her life. This marriage was horrendous by far. "Mister" was the name Celie allotted to her so called husband and the only name she made inference to, in regards to him. In spite of Celie fatal and wearisome endurance in a brutal marriage, the loss of  both her children and the ability to bear children, the separation from her sister—the  one person  who truly loved her, could not compare to her endurance ; wherein, in the end she had prevailed against the odds.

    With all the acclamations and accreditations allotted to this film, critics have stated that “the film was unbelievable, exaggerated at times, and stereotypical.” The Academy Award winning director Oliver Stone has defended the movie, stating that it is an “excellent film that attempts to deal with overlooked issues.”  Which brings me to my closing implications, which implies that in spite of Celies’ dilemmas, it is quite clear that "The Color Purple" it is not the story of Celies’ suffering but of her victory.  It is a great and triumphant movie. One important theme that may be overlooked is escapism. We find a woman escaping the constraints within her life, and those which was placed on her mind, to finding herself; she embarked upon a new life, a truly new identity, while embracing others who suffered from similar complexities. Hence, for the viewers’ discretion, one should see beyond the obvious and thus see the overlooked emphasis on escapism; wherein, this was a dominant theme by far in this historical film.

     ~Lady Kimberly

Youth: Live Free, Buy Everything??

    

      Responsible consumers and the term teenagers should never be used in the same sentence. Most teenagers do not have the knowledge or the drive to spend or consume properly which leads to many of them overbuying things that they really do not need. In todays’ society majority of teenagers are very intrigued by the fashion that is shown on the bodies of many celebrities and on the cover of magazines. With image being everything, a lot of teenagers will decide to spend their last penny just to achieve a certain look or get the latest shoes. Not caring or thinking about their future such as saving for a car or an education; teenagers are more likely to live in the moment and on impulse which causes them to buy the first thing they see instead of thinking things through. Another important factor that plays into teenagers not being responsible consumers, relates to, in opinion, the amount of bullying being portrayed today. So many children and teenagers are being bullied for not looking or dressing a certain way; therefore, a child who is desperately trying to fit in will go beyond measures just to alter their appearance. Children/teenagers are being robbed and killed all over the world because of the impact fashion has on their minds and their desire to look like their favorite celebrity; therefore, I feel that society should instill other values and goals instead of making one feel bad if their appearance is not up to society standards or the things they own is not up to par. Having long term values and saving your money instead of trying to consume everything you see, it is something a lot of teenagers do not portray until they get the mindset of growing and owning their own items that is worth more than all the clothes and shoes money can buy.

      ~Lady Zandra 

      Stating that the majority of teenagers are not responsible consumers without any evidence other than personal experience and a colorful opinion is a gross generalization and lack of research. Consumer is defined by one dictionary as a person who purchases goods and services for personal use. As stated in the previous post, todays’ teenagers are fascinated with pop culture and you know what they say: imitation is the best form of flattery. Todays’ youth spends, spends, and spends some more in an effort to be trendy or fit in. They strive to be different all the while by looking the same; despite their lack of uniqueness. Todays’ teenagers are impulsive buyers. While impulsive and responsible are normally compatible words, in terms of teenagers and consumers, I think it fits perfectly. Teenagers have no bills. Their parents take care of them. So the mindless spending on fashion and fast food is the only thing their money can really be spent on. The important fact is that the money is being put back into the economy. The $300 spent on True Religions jeans may seem idiotic; however, responsible consumerism refers to the role that consumers play in helping society to be more sustainable. So one must consider that someone must buy those overpriced jeans to keep the True Religion employees employed. 

      ~Lady Shabreka

SAT For The Rich??

 

 

Favoring the rich and placing extreme hardships on the poor is what the SAT also known as the Scholastic Assessment test is set out to do. Making it exceedingly difficult for one to obtain what is considered a high score that captures the audience of several prestige’s colleges; several individuals including myself along with Charles Murray agree that the SAT should be abolished. While some may disagree and feel as if the SAT serves a significant purpose in today’s decision making in regards to college enrollment, others including myself feel that the SAT is failing to uplift its duties and is bias, favoring those citizens in the upper class bracket. As Murray once states, the test is a “wealth test “placing those students who live in poor areas at a disadvantage. For schools to base who they are willing to accept off of these particular scores is ludicrous because in my opinion you cannot determine ones’ ability to learn or obtain information off an exam. I know several students including myself who are not great test takers therefore we have the tendency to not perform well however that does not mean we are not as intelligent as the C student who scores high but fails to complete their homework. Just because one’s scores may be lower than another does not mean that they should be deprived the option of going to an outstanding college. Folding under pressure is a trait that a lot of students of all ages portray therefore, in my opinion, all circumstances and influences should be considered when making these decisions. For instance, you cannot compare the course work of a Henry County High School to that of a Clayton County High School because of the simple fact that their curriculum is different. Knowing this, a student from Clayton County is subject to not having the knowledge to answer the questions accurate because he or she was not taught on the level of those from Henry County. Abolishing the SAT would not only help those students who aren’t good test takers achieve their goals of obtaining a degree from a great school but it will also show that sometimes those who score high still do not have the ability to obtain information or handle the course load needed to maintain throughout their time in college. Eliminating this test all together will destroy the barrier between the African American and Caucasian ratio that is seen within the college system. Due to most African American families living in middle class communities, a lot of these particular issues are very familiar. Destroying this test is important and will give EVERY student regardless of race and money, the opportunity to receive the same education.

Lady Zandra

Let me be clear: favoring the rich and placing extreme hardships on the poor are not the purpose of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, better known as the SAT. As Charles Murray states in his essay entitled “Abolish the SAT”, the original purpose of the SAT was to measure aptitude, which is defined by the dictionary as is “inherent ability” as opposed to academic achievement. While I don’t contend that any academic knowledge may be classified as “inherent”. The ability to learn may be innate, but not the knowledge possessed, but I digress. 

I also do not believe that the SAT should be abolished. If not for tradition alone, the SAT holds great significance when it comes to post-secondary education. It seems to me that the SAT serves the same purpose for entering college as the Georgia High School Graduation Test does for leaving high school. It needs to be evident that the student not only found some way of passing tests or writing assignments but individually possesses certain required knowledge and the ability to gain and retain new knowledge, including comprehension and application.

The SAT may very well provide disadvantage for poorer students for various reasons; however, it is not the root of those disadvantages. Poorer schools have fewer teachers. Fewer teachers mean larger class sizes. Larger class sizes mean a lack of opportunity for individual attention. Poorer schools definitely mean less money for educational supplies, including updated books, SAT prep courses, etc. Students born into any form of poverty, attending poorer schools, are already at a disadvantage in life altogether, especially in comparison with students’ whose parents can provide private schools, private tutors, SAT prep courses from commercial giants such as Kaplan and The Princeton Review.

The SAT is not the problem. Lack of funds for public schools is the problem. Overworking and underpaying public school teachers is the problem. The SAT provides a forum for students of various backgrounds to play on a constant, impartial and level playing field. It is the same test for all students. Wealthy students are given an easier version of the test. They simply have access to more resources to prepare. The SAT even provides a waiver of the fee for less fortunate students. The SAT is not the problem. It’s simply the standard.

Lady Shabreka