To Good to be True?

Jean Twenge’s article, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation” reflects the most immediately applicable article previously covered during class. Not only does this powerful article serve as a warning to our own generation, it also eerily relates to the average life of Millennials today. Throughout reading this article I not only immediately recognized the more textual use of devices utilized by the author, I also used contextual experience as a citizen living in an evolving society to connect with this piece.

The textual side of this piece would constitute the use of commonplace, as well as the appeals to emotion, logic and the author’s own character. Cell phone usage may be the most standard topic of this generation, as technology in general has been a controversy. Undoubtedly, technology has allowed for major development, but can too much of a good thing be a bad thing? This is directly reflected in the text. Although, cell phones were created and continue to be innovated to help a more connected global community, they seem to be the very thing disconnecting us from our surroundings. Not only are we missing the very precious moments of life because of a screen, we are also becoming more depressed as individuals. This depression stems from the idea that instead of actually connecting us with the world, we as humans feel we are missing out on what we watch on our screens. Perhaps we should focus more on the life happening directly around us instead of the one displayed through our phone screens.

Similarly, the context that can be brought in while reading this article is also particularly useful. I’m sure everyone in class has their own personal stories of cellular devices taking over. Personally, I remember waiting about five hours in an Apple Store with my mom, holding up my family vacation, because a few days before I dropped my phone in a pool. I literally couldn't see myself going a week without my phone, so I made my family wait! Looking back on it, I wish I would have left it broken, so I could thoroughly enjoy the precious moments and memories of a vacation with my family. That’s what I think is most important to take away from this article. Analyzing it, means self reflecting and analyzing your own personal life with technology.

Time to Pop the Bubble

On August 14, 2016, Colin Kaepernick the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers kneeled for the National Anthem. The anthem of the United States of America, viewed by many as one of the most important symbols of American liberty, second only to the flag. This is one of the most civic artifacts I could think of. At my school every morning we would stand for the anthem at attention, but for some of my classmates I feel as though this process was more habitual than civic. During the song few really thought about the words uttered within the historic lyrics.

The anthem really has been something the younger generation treats as a standard procedure. Not much attention was payed to our nation's anthem until a sports star decided not to stand for it. At first it went unnoticed for a few games, and then it was assumed to be an injury or an accident. Then he was asked why he had not been standing for two straight games. His response was simple, he was protesting the oppression of people of color especially with regards to police brutality.This immediately polarized the nation and a huge debate broke out across the country.

For many, this demonstration was very disrespectful. It was disrespectful to our values, disrespectful to our history, and above all disrespectful to the brave men and women who sacrifice their lives to protect our civil liberties. However, during all the debate and all of the criticism, the quote I remember most was from a unanimous servicemen. He or she was asked how they felt about the protest, and the response was unique. They said they “were more worried about those who didn’t truly understand what he was sacrificing for”, meaning that all of those who were of the opinion that Kaepernick shouldn’t have spoken up, didn't understand a fundamental part of American society. Free speech, which is exactly what Kaepernick exercised thanks to the years of sacrifice .

In my speech I want to analyze the civicness of the Kaepernick protest with reference to the National Anthem, and weigh the results of this current event.

Photo courtesy of The St. Louis American

The Perfect Landscape of Communication

What if I told you, I knew men and women more powerful than the politicians in our elected offices. What if I told you that the words of a few could move mountains in regards to social and political activism. This power is highly sought after in an ever changing global climate, with polarization and violence becoming more and more common. The power I speak of comes from sport.

Political activist Nelson Mandela once said "Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people, It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers". Race relations is merely one problem that has taken root in contemporary debate, and many athletes have chosen to take a firm stance and speak their minds on the issue. Global icons like Lebron James, and Colin Kaepernick have spoken out in their own personal ways, but they have received varying forms of feedback.

Sports capture the emotions of millions day in and day out, and some of the most idolized individuals in the world are professional athletes. Yet, some people believe that these individuals shouldn't speak up on controversial topics. This is not only a confusing statement, but it's also troubling. It seems that there are people in society that believe athletes should remain athletes, and serve as pure entertainment for the viewers, but that goes against the very principles of our nation. These are human beings, with an extraordinary opportunity to touch the hearts and minds of millions who look up to them, and I believe it should be encouraged for them to speak out.

My opinion is not shared universally, and even the individual leagues and organizations these athletes are apart of differ slightly in their own opinions. Of course they don't bluntly come out and say they don't want their athletes to speak, but the subtle way they lead and treat their athletes can be investigated and interpreted.

I have a passion for sports, and I'm very interested in the relationship of sports and how they affect civic life. The goal of this blog will be to select current events in sport and interpret and analyze them.  I hope to affect change in my own way through this blog, by sharing the stories of sport and its power.

Photo courtesy of the Akron Beacon Journal