Who Do You Think You Are?

Media especially those of popularity at a time have a presence that influences everyone in some shape or form. My role in media consumption I believe is to use such media to cure myself of ignorances I have on certain issues or subjects as well as to become overall a better human being. Whether it is keeping up with political issues or reading news articles online or just taking a glimpse at the arts, I would gain clear and constructive knowledge that will hopefully influence me to want to become politically active. Now in actuality, the media I consume more on the regular is Youtube by a long shot. I watch a lot of videos that could range in subject matter from gaming to thought-provoking to just plain old music. My critique on media is by far how much it could drain your life away. A problem that I only noticed until recently is how so many people are on their phones at the same time leading to this almost robotic like state. It's scary in my eyes since those who do that on daily are missing out on the true beauty of the world and of its creatures. I think my role in media making is in due time to create either poetry or music that is outside the mainstream because I find most of the whats in it to be boring, a fraud, and draining on the mind.

I would say that if you are talking about influence, about maybe fifty percent is measured against media examples and images. An example of it being of influence would be when I saw a picture of a dead child's corpse on a shore during the Syrian Refugee Crisis, just a wave of sadness and a want for change splashed onto me. A more lighthearted example of influence by media is when the whole ice bucket challenge fad was making its way through the web. I remember that my family and I participated in it to join in on the fun. Besides my influence by media, I also think seeing a part of myself within it is also appreciated. As a queer person, I love to see gay couples or someone who is trans being represented in commercials or shows or movies. Obviously, there is still more work that needs to be done in that area but diversity within media really helps in the process of knowing that you are acknowledged. 

                                           

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/02/europe/migration-crisis-boy-washed-ashore-in-turkey/index.html

A common experience is most definitely created by this new age of media. Just the wide availability for one to have a device that gets connected to the internet creates this giant network for anyone to share anything. As with the example of the Syrian Refugee boy, his picture went viral as well as a narrative that humanity should feel ashamed for the unneeded death of a child. People around the world who had no relation to this boy still felt empathy and had even been inspired to rise up and attempt to do something about this. When it came to the United States election everyone who was a citizen or just an outsider were keeping eyes on it. Media networks were great influencers in swaying the minds of the electorate whether it be to vote one way or the other. Whether or not that should be right is another story, but the media created a common topic that everyone had to talk about.

The ever so "none biased" mainstream media covers those who reek of activism or who do acts of resistance and protest as chickens without a head. I get very annoyed when anyone belittles protests and activists as if what they are doing is meaningless and will not amount to anything being done. Of course, this is not a new thing if you look back in American history. Before the emancipation of African slaves, there were many activist and abolitionist who spoke out against slavery. People belittled them but look at the change that happened with their help. If nobody speaks out nothing will ever change. Now, this is not to say that media outlets blankly does not cover protests, I mean look at the Women's March on Washington D.C in 2017. But mainstream media outlets need to get in their corporate heads that no longer can one choose whether or not to cover a protest for social media will just take your place.