Personal Blog: Nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

                                          Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson             

                                                         Photo courtesy of: shrm.org

On February 25, 2022, President Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the United States Supreme Court.  Her appointment was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 7, 2022.  

Judge Jackson succeeded former Justice Stephen Breyer and has since made history as the first African American woman to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.  When assessing potential candidates to replace former Justice Breyer, President Biden was mesmerized by Judge Jackson's history, credentials and commitment to securing equal justice under the law.

                                                    Photo courtesy of: kpcc.org

Judge Jackson's family has also specialized in law enforcement and the legal system.  She derived her passion for studying and practicing law from her father, Johnny Brown, who was the chief attorney for the Miami-Dade County School Board.  Furthermore, Judge Jackson's brother and two uncles worked as police officers in Miami, which also exposed her to the daunting tasks law enforcement officers endure daily.  

Prior to her nomination to the Supreme Court, Judge Jackson had gained invaluable experience in public service and the legal system.  She has served as a public defender, Supreme Court Clerk, Vice Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission in addition to her tenure as a district court judge.  

Despite Judge Jackson's versatility and qualifications, some politicians were apprehensive about her ability to serve on the Supreme Court; They were also critical of her stance on issues pertaining to child sexual abuse imagery.  On the other hand, Judge Jackson's historical nomination was supported by many people who embrace the idea of difersifying the U.S. Supreme Court.  

Dating back to the formation of the United States Supreme Court in 1789, an overwhelming majority of its judges were caucasian men.  I am proud of Judge Jackson's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, as I believe her education and track record has proven that she has the knowledge, capacity and tenacity to uphold the position.  

                                               Photo courtesy of: supreme.justia.com

Racial diversity on the Supreme Court is also crucial because it allows for signature issues, such as crime and punishment, racial injustice, abortion, etc., to be analyzed from diverse points of view.  Judge Jackson, in my opinion, a positive role model for young black women, and hopefully her story may inspire them to pursue their dreams and not allow anything or anyone to deter them in the process.  

Furthermore, Judge Jackson reminds me of my mother, who has also made history as the first to hold multiple titles.  My mother, Judge Melvia B. Green is a trailblazer, as she was the first African-American female assistant U.S. attorney to practice law in the Southern District of Florida; the first African-American female circuit judge in the state of Florida; And, she was the first African-American female judge to preside over Florida's Third District Court of Appeal.  

                                                 Photo courtesy of: finance.yahoo.com

My mom has earned numerous awards over the years for her hard work and achievements in the legal profession.  Here is another fun fact that I just learned recently: My mom attended law school at the University of Miami with Judge Jackson's father.  

In fact, she remembers meeting Judge Jackson when she was a young girl.  Small world, isn't it?  

I feel so proud to have my mother and other black women like her as influential role models in my life because I feel incentivized to challenge myself and do everything in my power to hopefully leave behind a meaningful legacy.  They say a trailblazer describes a person who blazes a trail for other people to follow.  

I may not have found my calling in life yet, but whatever that might be, I know God intends for me to create a trail for other people to follow.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-b6UN3Ud-I

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI3qywLr5e4

Sources: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/former-third-dca-judge-green-100056798.html

https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2022/04/opinion-supreme-court-justices-ketanji-brown

https://www.whitehouse.gov/kbj/

Personal Blog: Florida's Parental Rights Education/Don't Say Gay Bill

                 Florida's Parental Rights Education/"Don't Say Gay Bill"

                                                        Photo from: apnews.com

     On Monday, March 28, 2022, a Parental Rights Education bill was signed by Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).  The bill addresses dicussions about LGBTQ topics in Florida's public schools.  

It has been said that the purpose of the bill, HB 1557 is to grant parents more control over the academic curriculum.  Specifically, the Parental Rights Education bill prohibits any instruction or dialogue concerning gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grades.  

DeSantis and many supporters of the bill say its purpose is to protect the innocence of young children and avoid controversial subjects that are not age or developmentally appropriate in accordance to Florida's standards.  Other supporters of the bill have said that discussions about gender identity or sexual orientation in the classroom are a deviation from a rudimentary education.  

Although the bill does not forbid students from engaging in conversations regarding the LGBTQ history and community, teachers found in violation of the bill are subject to civil litigation.  Opponents of the bill who refer to it as the "Don't Say Gay" bill have said that it indiscriminantly targets LGBTQ students.  

If LGBTQ students are not allowed to converse with teachers about their identities in a classroom setting, then they will most likely feel as though it is not safe to express themselves anywhere.  Furthermore, critics of the bill deem it as homophobic and say that legislative officials are determined to implement their own prejudices and bigoted views into society's institutions at all costs.  

                                           Photo from: cba.ca

Psychologists who have researched the issue from different angles have concluded that barring discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation is detrimental to the mental health of LGBTQ students.  Given how society for many years has not embraced homosexuality, prohibition of such conversations with school teachers can increase depression and suicide rates among LGBTQ students.  

DeSantis, however has remained firm in his position, and the bill is scheduled to be implemented on July 1, 2022.  After researching this topic from both sides, I personally feel that the bill is ludicrous, unnecessary, and not to mention flat out ignorant.  

First of all, I am from Florida, and I do not recall any of my elementary school teachers ever fostering discussions about gender identity or sexual orientation; So, I do not know where DeSantis is getting this from.  Second of all, having open dialogues in the classroom about gender identity, sexual orientation and the LGBTQ community does not in any way shape or form abuse children's innocence.  

If anything, it is healthy for teachers to foster such discussions, as it teaches children the importance of acceptace and that they have a right to love whomever they want.  Legislative officials also cannot dictate whether each child in grades K-3 in the state of Florida are mature or developed enough to handle these conversations.  

Furthermore, teaching about gender identity, sexual orientation and the LGBTQ community is beneficial in the sense that it educates students about the true history of this country, which they need to know.  By understanding the history of our country, people can then conceptualize adequate strategies about how to progress into a united nation.  

                                      Photo from: forbes.com

This is similar to how other governors and legislators have exploited the term, "Critical Race Theory" to bar discussions about race, racism/discrimination in schools.  I resent these practices, because first of all, professors from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, have come out and said that politicians are using the term Critical Race Theory out of context.  

                                    Photo from: critical race.org

Second of all, the real problem with many of these politicians is that they simply do not want students to learn about how black people and other minorities have been oppressed by white people for centuries; And the reason many politicians do not want these subjects being taught is because deep down they know it was wrong, and it makes them feel guilty.  

Furthermore, their goal is to preserve white supremacy, and part of that plan includes excluding the history of minorities and other marginalized groups from the academic curriculum.  What they do not seem to understand though, is that most students of all races and ethnicities do not harbor their racist and bigoted views and are willing to welcome discussions about race/racism and the LGBTQ community into their classrooms.  

Although we will probably never eradicate racism and homophobia completely, I am somewhat hopeful that my generation will do a better job of creating a world that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion.

Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQrULQHrLVE

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_ejiqpr1uM

Sources: https://www.npr.org/2022/03/28/1089221657/dont-say-gay-florida-desantis

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/floridas-dont-say-gay-bill-actually-says-

rcna19929

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/04/florida-dont-say-gay-bill-children-mental-health

Key Post #2: What I learned from another team's EOTO- Joseph Pulitzer

                                                                Joseph Pulitzer         

                                           

                                                         Photo from: inwrite.com

     I listened to another team's presentation on Joseph Pulitzer.  Joseph Pulitzer was a famous publisher and editor during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  

Pulitzer is originally from Mako, Hungary and was born to an opulent family.  He received a private education and was multilingual, as he spoke Hungarian, German and French.  

Pulitzer attempted to enlist in the European army but was rejected by virtue of his petite figure, deficiencies in vision and weak lungs.  Following his rejection from the European army, Pulitzer immigrated to the United States in the 1860s and was drafted as a Union Soldier during the Civil War.  

When the Civil War ended, Pulitzer worked various menial jobs before relocating to St. Louis, Missouri and embarking on a career in Journalism.  He started off reporting for the Westliche Post while simultaneously studying Law and English.  

Early in his career as a journalist, Pulitzer accumulated wealth by purchasing and selling newspapers, such as the St. Lous Post for exorbitant sums of money.  He then took the profits he earned and invested it in his law school education, as well as to launch his political career.  

Although Pulitzer resided in an overwhelmingly Democratic district, he was ironically endorsed by Republicans to seek a position in the Missouri State Legislature.  Pulitzer was successful in achieving this victory, and once elected, his signature issues included corruption and graft.  

                                                        Photo from: films.com

His most infamous moment in his political career was when he shot and wounded a lobbyist during a debate in the legislative chambers.  Despite how Pulitzer maintained his position in the aftermath of the incident, his political career nevertheless suffered as a result.  

Throughout Pulitzer's Journalism career, he was most notable for his works, which entailed sensationalism and yellow journalism.  His objective in publishing such stories was to increase readership and captivate larger audiences.  

                       Photo from: pbs.com

Some of the topics covered in his New York World newspaper were crime, fraud, and ridicule of the upper class and working poor.  Pulitzer's stance on crime essentially articulated that in order to combat the issue, people first must examine the root causes and from there, formulate strategies as to how to rectify them.  

His condemnation of wealthy denizens stemmed from his frustration on their lack of efforts to finance pedestal construction.  On the other hand, he did not approve of the working class and working poor solely depending on people of a higher socioeconomic status to allocate funds and monetary resources.  

Overall though, Pulitzer intended to shine a light on corrupt acts in society that were otherwise concealed or disregarded.  After Pulitzer's death in 1911, the money from his will was used to supply the formation of the school of journalism at Columbia University in New York City.  

Furthermore, the university distributes annual Pulitzer Prizes to students who have made noteworthy accomplishments in liberal arts, such as journalism, music and literature.  I enjoyed listening to this presentation, and I thought it was especially intriguing to learn about Pulitzer's journalism and political career.  

                    Photo from: pulitzer.org

Considering how journalism and politics are intertwined, I now have a better understanding on how one career prepares you for the other.  I love Journalism and Politics and have long contemplated either becoming a political commentator like Rachel Maddow, or embarking on a political career after retiring from my career as a journalist.  

As of now, I must admit it is hard to determine which side of the political spectrum I will lean towards.  I try to see both sides, but at the same time, there is just so divisiveness and polarization, which makes it difficult for me to decide where I should stand.  

Will my generation be the one to bridge the gaps in our political climate?  One can only hope.

                     Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nshAsS_lkU

               Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKL06rRAWFY

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4AX2d-PL1k

Sources: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Joseph_Pulitzer

https://www.notablebiographies.com/Pe-Pu/Pulitzer-Joseph.html

Final EOTO #4: Barbara Ehrenreich

                                      Barbara Ehrenreich-Early Life and Education 

                               

                                                    Photo from: npr.org

Barbara Ehrenreich was born on August 26, 1941 in Butte, Montana to a working-class family.  She

derived from a long line of miners on her mother's and father's side.  

Her father received his education at the Butte School of Mines and eventually Carnegie Mellon University.  Due to her father's occupation, Ehrenreich's family relocated frequently throughout her childhood.  

Photo from: gradesaver.com

She has resided in Montana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York and California.  Ehrenreich was a diligent student and had always planned to attend college.  

Because her family's socioeconomic status had elevated from working- to middle-class during her high school years, Ehrenreich was ultimately able to matriculate at Reed College in Portland, Oregon.  She began her college career as a science major, and after receiving her undergraduate degree in physics, she pursued a graduate degree in cell biology at Rockefeller Unersity.  

                                       

                        Transition into writing, activism and journalism

     Ehrenreich initially began her career as a professor at the State University of New York.  Her inspiration for writing derived from her experiences during her first pregnancy in 1970.  

At the time, the medical profession was predominantly male.  In an interview, Ehrenreich has described how she experienced sexism by a male doctor who was astounded by her knowledge of cervical effacement.  

It was then when Ehrenreich felt compelled to pursue a writing career, highlighting issues such as feminism, women's health, as well as political and social imbalances.  One of the reasons why Ehrenreich is especially passionate about writing is because it allows her a platform to speak the truth, advocate for what is right and be a voice for those in society who are often forgotten.  

                                                          Photo from: Inequality.org

These efforts are reflected in her feature story for Ms. magazine, which contradicts a false notion that the cause of heart disease is linked to feminism.  Ehrenreich's story for Ms. magazine catapulted her in her career, as the publication featured it as a cover story for the magazine.  

In addition to publishing her first story, Ehrenreich was also an activist for the women's health movement, which was geared towards advocating for the amelioration of health care for women in addition to expanding access to health information.  Part of Ehrenreich's drive to support the movement was based on her personal experiences ranging from sexism to limited access to adequate health care.

                            

                      Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

     Ehrenreich is probably most notable for her 2001 book, titled "Nickel and Dimed: On Getting By in America."  Her intent in writing the book was to gain a firsthand perspective on how the 1996 welfare reform act disproportionately affected the working class and working poor.  

During this process, Ehrenreich temporarily walked away from her successful life and worked several menial, minimum-wage jobs as a waitress, hotel maid, nursing home caretaker, and Wal-Mart employee.  Throughout her experiment, Ehrenreich was not recognized in the Key West community as the prominent author and social activist that she was.  

                                                                Photo from: gq.com

Furthermore, she was barely able to support herself financially even with multiple jobs; Although the jobs she worked payed her enough money to cover basic necessities, she was still only left with a little over $20 at the end of each month.  

Working conditions were also strenuous and employees were only allowed restroom breaks.  They were on their own for lunch, as there were not any nearby restaurants.  

Nickel and Dimed provided a revelation at hardships that many working poor and working class U.S. citizens have endured for generations.  For example, it reflects how working numerous jobs to make ends meet does not necessarily guarantee financial and economic stability, especially when people have families to provide for.  

Poverty in America is not a choice, but rather a result of minimum wages and limited resources and employment opportunities.  Given how "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America" is an educational and enlightening book, many colleges and universities throughout the country have incorporated it in the curriculum as a requirement for first-year students.  

                                           Photo from: commonreading.appstate.edu

                                                

                                                 My Commentary

     I perceive Barbara Ehrenreich as a positive role model, especially for aspiring female journalists like myself.  What I admire most about her is that she uses her journalistic platform to raise awareness of humanitarian issues in regard to politics, income inequality, feminism, sexism, etc.  

After reading her story and background, I now feel inspired to use my journalistic credentials to pursue a similar path because I care about women's rights and helping disadvantaged groups who have been left behind in society.  I also respect Ehrenreich for her genuineness in everything she does, as she does not do things for others simply for the sake of reaping benefits in return; Instead, she helps other people out of the kindness of her heart and because she knows that morally, it is the right thing to do.  

I am a Godly person, and I strive to do God's will every single day of my life.  One of my favorite passages in the Bible says, "From those to whom much is given, much is required"  (Luke 12:48). 

                                                               Photo from: etsy.com

I know that when God blesses me with prosperity, He will expect me to use my blessings to bless other people as well.  Everyone, in my opinion deserves an equal opportunity to live the best life that they can, regardless of their race/ethnicity, social class, sex/gender, etc.  

Therefore, I am interested in researching ways to help those who are less fortunate than I am and put those plans into action.  One final quality I admire about Ehrenreich was her willingness to give up her career as a writer and live in poverty for two years in order to further analyze difficulties among the working class and working poor.  I do not know too many people who would do what she did, which in my opinion demonstrates true courage and dedication to the community.

     As I conclude my final blog post, I would like to briefly discuss a few key takeaways from the videos below.  In the third video where Ehrenreich talked about her struggles with breast cancer, it was hard to hear how she and other cancer patients were told repeatedly to stay positive.  

Although I believe in looking on the bright side of things, we sometimes have to take a realist approach to our circumstances.  It is okay to feel angry, sad or distressed because those are natural human emotions.  

I liked Ehrenreich's message in the first video because while empowerment and self-confidence are important, we must also know that we are not perfect; Furthermore, nobody is going to be gifted at everything, which is alright because you have to go where your talents lie.  

Her message in the second video was extremely powerful because she talked about how she is not afraid of death.  This resonated with me because if I come to the end of my life, and I know I have lived it to the fullest and fulfilled God's plan for my life, then I will be able to make peace with death.  

Of course death is inevitable, but as long as I know that I have lived a long and meaningful life and hopefully made someone else's life better, then I will be ready to go home to be with God.

                                              Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OREHHIZWEZQ

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxL5ebvfDws

Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2CxAsdet64

Sources: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/barbara-ehrenreich-is-not-an-optimist-but-she-has-hope-for-the-future

https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/ehrenreich-barbara-0

https://www.barbaraehrenreich.com/landing-page/barbara-ehrenreich-about/

https://pulitzercenter.org/people/barbara-ehrenreich

EOTO #2: The Black Press

                                         History of The Black Press

     The Black Press originated in New York in 1827 and extended to other states between the mid- and late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century.  Prior to the abolition of slavery, enslaved African Americans were barred from literacy, although some learned surreptitiously.  After the Civil War, newly liberated African Americans took advantage of the opportunity to read and write.

                  Photo courtesy of: nbcnews.com

                    Mission of The Black Press

     The Black Press had a plethora of goals.  One of their goals was to use their journalistic platforms to give a voice to the African American communities, who for so long did not have a voice.  

In the pre-Civil War era, there were northern newspapers who advocated for their rights, as well as an end to slavery.  Black journalists, however, wanted their stories and experiences to be told from their own perspectives as opposed to other parties speaking for them.  

             Photo courtesy of: coloredconventions.org

Although many black press faced ridicule and threats for using writing to speak out against oppression, they did not allow it to become a deterrent in advocating for their rights.  In the early years of The Black Press, writers and publishers tended to avoid the topic of slavery to an extent.  

Aside from the rare occassions where they did address slavery, The Black Press mainly focused on highlighting the lives of newly freed African Americans.  Some of the topics they incorporated in news articles were geared towards political, social, and economic advancement, as well as different functions within black schools and churches.  

Part of the intent behind this was to depict the progress made by free black people and how they were finally able to enjoy their lives.  Furthermore, The Black Press used this information as examples of how black people could succeed with new educational and employment opportunities.  

The target audiences of The Black Press were primarily black intellectuals and middle-class black people.  Another objective of The Black Press was to denounce crimes against innocent African Americans.  

For example, The Black Press contradicted false allegations against black men who were either wrongly lynched or faced threats of lynchings by white terrorists.  To elaborate on that point, The Black Press openly denounced racially motivated crimes against African Americans that white newspapers either turned a blind eye to or otherwise condoned.  Some of these crimes consisted of lynchings and race riots in the early 1900s.

                        Freedom Journal

               Photo courtesy of: pbs.org

     The Freedom Journal was the first black newspaper established in U.S. history.  John B. Russwurm and Samuel E. Cornish were the editors of the newspaper.  

During its two-year existence, The Freedom Journal promoted Black businesses and expressed the importance of African Americans exercising their right to vote.  Subscriptions to the The Freedom Journal were fairly cheap with a total of $3.00 per year.  It also discussed events occuring abroad, such as in Haiti and Sierra Leone.

                     The People's Advocate

      Photo courtesy of: depts.washington.edu

     The People's Advocate was an eight-year newspaper developed in Lewis County, Washington through the Populist Party.  The People's Advocate typically detailed political and economic issues affecting denizens of Lewis County.  

Subscription to the newspaper was $1.25 each year.  In the 1890s, a majority of content in The People's Advocate centered around upcoming elections.  

The Populist Party, also referred to as The People's party endorsed their candidates through The People's Advocate.  This strategy had a monumental effect on the outcome of the election, as a grand total of 23 Populist legislators were elected in Olympia.  

                   My Commentary

     The Black Press is one of the most historical additions in the Journalism industry.  With African Americans being the minority in this country, it is imperative that our voices are heard.  

I now feel inspired to continue help tell the stories of black people in America.  When I told one of my friends last year about my ambition to become a talk show host, she suggested that I start by doing a show regarding the lives and experiences of HPU students.  I might just do that next year.  

It will be a great way to help the black community on my college campus in addition to catapulting myself to the next level in my career.  Sounds like a win-win situation, right?  I also learned through my research of the Freedom Journal that slavery in New York ended in 1827.  

Prior to my research, I did not know that slavery once existed in New York.  I guess you learn something new every day, right?  

I find it fascinating too that the first black newspaper was established in New York.  It definitely makes sense considering New York is one of or if not the most progressive state in the country.  

My father also told me a few years ago that it was among the best states for black people to be successful.  Below are a few visuals of black journalists I would like to emulate.

                 Photo courtesy of: biography.com

Photo courtesy of: usatoday.com

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGf85-bQmEQ

Sources: https://www.pbs.org/blackpress/news_bios/newbios/nwsppr/freedom/freedom.html 

https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=sfoPp3jWubwC&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=Black+press&ots=RrUtoVKcYa&sig=qCWpYGIb8C6ji078tkEjP7SkNwc#v=onepage&q=Black%20press&f=false

https://newsreel.org/guides/blackpress/toolong.htm

https://depts.washington.edu/labhist/laborpress/Peoples_Advocate.htm

Press and War: Freedom of the press during the Civil War

                                        Freedom of the Press and The Civil War

                                   Photo courtesy of: medium.com

     Most Americans embrace their rights to Freedom of the Press, especially when it comes to government.  After all, we as U.S. citizens have a duty to challenge the government and hold it accountable.  

Some may wonder though whether the government has jurisdiction to suppress voices of the press during wartime.  Well, according to the events during the Civil War, it turns out that they do.  

The Civil War took place from 1861-1865.  Although President Abraham Lincoln had initially signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 ordering for the liberation of enslaved people, slavery did not officially end until the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865.  

Contrary to a common misconception, President Lincoln was not genuinely concerned about freeing enslaved people, but rather preserving the union.  The restriction of Freedom of the Press was implemented when Lincoln discontinued the writ of habeas corpus, which allows individuals charged with a crime to be brought before a court to dictate whether the detainment is legitimate.  

                                                Photo courtesy of: mtsu.edu

Technology had evolved in the years preceding the Civil War with the invention of telegraph lines.  Journalists who had initially benefited from telegraph lines were deprived of this right at the beginning of the Civil War; Lincoln's reasoning in censoring telegraph dispatches was to prevent members of the press from disseminating a firsthand account of the plans and events of troops on the battefield.  

This decison was later debated in The House Judiciary Committee, who essentially argued that it was unconstitutional for the government to forbid telegraph communications unless under command from Congress.  Northern newspapers were often critical of Lincoln's propositions pertaining to the Civil War.  

Consequently, members of the press who published pieces opposing Lincoln or stipulations included in the war drafts were charged with treason.  Furthermore, journalists who were charged were imprisoned without an opportunity to stand trial.  

Their careers were also tarnished, as the Lincoln administration discontinued their newspapers, which were no longer delivered through the mail services.  One case that made headlines during the Civil War was the prosecution of Albert D. Boileau, who was an editor of the Philadelphia Evening Journal.  

                                   Photo courtesy of: digital.librarycompany.org 

Unbeknownst to Boileau, an attorney and orator by the name of William Bradford Reed wrote an article advocating for serenity between union and confederate states as opposed to the continuation of war, which he considered to be a waste of soldiers and monetary resources.  Reed also admonished Lincoln in the article alleging that his goal was to incite a revolt between the Confederacy and newly liberated African Americans.  

Following the publication of Reed's piece in the Philadelphia Evening Journal, Major General Robert C. Schneck immediately demanded his general to apprehend Boileau and transport him to Maryland for imprisonment.  Many neighboring newspapers condemned Boileau's incarceration, claiming that exercising his freedom of the press rights was not a crime and that Lincoln's actions reflected that of a dictator.  

I resent Lincoln's stratagem to have the press arrested for denouncing his policies pertaining to the Civil War or just the war itself.  First of all, it is during wartime especially when Americans need to be kept abreast of what is going on, as it affects our daily lives and safety.  

Secondly, I find it rather immature that Lincoln seriously had people put in jail for speaking out against him.  Challenging and criticizing the government is an inevitable aspect of being a journalist.  

Also, part of life means understanding that we are going to have critics and haters regardless of who or what we are.  Everybody is not going to like or agree with us, but again, that is life.  

If Lincoln did not have the maturation or resilience to accept that, then he had no business being president or any type of leader for that matter.  As I researched this topic, it reminded me of a story about Andrea Sahouri, a reporter for the Des Moines Register. 

 In May 2020, Sahouri was arrested while covering a story at a Black Lives Matter protest even when she claimed she provided identification to police.  She was later aquitted on charges of failing to disperse, as her defense attested that she was simply doing her job. 

 

                                             Photo courtesy of: nytimes.com

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJr9PiN7wqg

Regardless, there needs to be more attention brought to cases such as this because the government does not have the authority to infringe on freedom of the press rights, and if they do, then they should face litigation.  I, for one, am not afraid to sue the government for violating my constitutional rights and I will do it in a heartbeat if I need to.

                                     Photo courtesy of: freedompress.com

Sources: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3908746

https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1059/civil-war-u-s#:~:text=and%20presses%20closed-,In%20the%20vast%20majority%20of%20instances%2C%20the%20government%20restrained%20the,the%20Confederacy%20for%20encouraging%20resistance.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/27772306?seq=7

https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/2009/02/11/civil-war-tested-lincolns-tolerance-for-free-speech-press/

EOTO #3-Paparazzi

                                                              Paparazzi

                                      Photo courtesy of: rollingstone.com

       Most of us are familiar with the paparrazi.  Surely, we have seen online photos or videos of prominent people at special events or just going about their daily lives.  

These visuals were recorded by the paparazzi.  The paparazzi are freelance photographers whose work entails obtaining visual elements of public figures, such as celebrities, politicians, athletes, etc.  Paparrazi has a long and intriguing history in our world.

                                                   

                                                      History of Paparazzi

     The term paparazzi derives from the character, Paparazzo in the 1960 film titled, "La Dolce Vita," which was directed by Federico Fellini.  In the movie, Paparazzo was a photographer who was willing to acquire impecable images by any means necessary.  

                                                    Photo courtesy of: imdb.com

The paparazzi was first established in Rome during the 1950s, when photographers began snapping random photos of actors and actresses.  There were even instances when paparazzi went so far as to follow stars back to their private residences, which sometimes resulted in them either being threatened or physically assaulted by celebrities.  

                                                       Photo courtesy of: anothermag.com

However, media agencies enticed paparazzi to provoke violent or scandalous reactions from celebrities, as it attracted larger audiences and consumers. 

                                      

                                      Arguments opposing Paparazzi 

     There are various arguments against paparazzi activity.  Some people say that the paparazzi violates the privacy of celebrities, politicians, and other public figures.  

Although they might be famous individuals, they are nevertheless entitled to go about their private lives without having to worry about being harassed by the paparrazi.  Therefore, a fine line needs to be drawn their between professional and private lives.  

Secondly, there have been occasions when paparrazi activity has caused fatal repercussions.  For example, in the infamous death of Princess Diana in 1997, she was killed in a car accident as the paparazzi were trailing her in their vehicles.  

                                             Photo courtesy of: nytimes.com

Although opposing sides have attributed her death to the fact that her chauffeur was inebriated at the time of the crash, many are still convinced that the paparazzi chasing her down ultimately caused her demise.

                                     Arguments in favor of the Paparazzi

     In contrast to the opposing arguments, there are others who support paparazzi.  First of all, the Freedom of the Press clause under the first amendment protects the rights of the press to obtain newsworthy information.  

If the paparazzi deem certain activities involving public figures as newsworthy, then they have a right to capture them through photos or videos.  Secondly, people in the limelight are expected to know that the paparazzi comes with the territory of being famous.  

The amount of privacy they receive is less than that of private citizens because their titles and/or positions automatically make them subjects of public interest.  It relates to the principle of educating one's self on a specific profession and all the elements that comes with it before agreeing to pursue the position.  

Third, being a paparazzo at one point was a useful way to accumulate wealth.  Paparrazi who gathered captivating footage of public figures could earn thousands or even millions of dollars depending on the publishing agency they submitted them to.  

                                                      Photo courtesy of: bbc.com

Lastly, paparazzi are helpful in ensuring that public figures are living up to society's moral codes.  A lot of us idolize celebrities, athletes, politicians and religious leaders based on their public personas.  

While it may be easy to form opinions of people solely based on how they come across on television or online, we do not necessarily know their true character off camera.  By that standard, paparazzi is beneficial in capturing public figures in their personal lives, as it provides us with a more accurate assessment of how they truly are.  

From there, we can then determine whether they are decent role models.

                                

                                  Actions taken to combat paparazzi

     There are circumstances when paparazzi can and cannot obtain visuals, such as at a crime scene, inside public restrooms, or when they are infringing upon the rights of others.  California has implemented strict laws against the paparazzi.  

For example, former Governor Arnold Schwarznegger signed a privacy law ordering the paparazzi not to violate the privacy of others.  If caught in violation of the law, they could be fined thousands of dollars.

                                          My commentary

     I have moderate views on the paparazzi.  On one hand, I think it is cool to explore the lives of my favorite public figures and see what they do on their spare time.  

Since I also intend to become a public figure someday, I know that I am going to have to get used to the paparazzi following me around.  I don't think I'll mind up to a certain point, and I will just smile, wave and possibly strike up a brief conversation if I have the time.  

On the contrary, their constantly following me around will most likely get on my nerves after a while.  As much as I am a people's person and I love people, there are moments when I just like to be to myself.  

If they happen to catch me during one of those moments, I will probably be like, "God bless ya'll, but leave me alone."  

Plus, I remember reading a 2007 article of when Reese Witherspoon got annoyed with the paparazzi following her and her children around while they were out shopping.  I do not blame her for reacting the way she did because she and her kids just wanted their privacy.  It also looked as though her young children were overwhelmed by the paparazzi, which made me feel badly for them.

                                                     Photo courtesy of: zimbio.com

     Now, I thought I would end my blog post on a lighter note.  Studying this topic made me think of my favorite song by Josephine called, 15 Minutes of Fame.  I think this song conveys the best way to handle the paparazzi when we can't seem to get rid of them.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIL1cYvmKQg

Sources: https://time.com/3810226/why-paparazzi-are-good-for-

us/#:~:text=More%20than%20an%20invasion%20of,all%2Dtoo%2Dhuman%20flaws

https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-efforts-and-activities-of-the-paparazzi-are-protected-by-the-freedom-of-the-press-clause-of-the-constitution/#:~:text=The%20First%20Amendment%20of%20the,freedom%20of%20the%20press%20clause 

https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/11348/history-of-paparazzi-photography-1950s-rome-streets-exhibition-sophia-loren

https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?

collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/rol18&id=293&men_tab=srchresults 

https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/shjsl20&id=233&men_tab=srchresults