- Social Media For Safety… In 2001, Facebook was a mere fetus compared to what it is now. Here in 2015, safety check-ins have taken social media to a new level. Parisians, as well as travelling foreigners, can utilize the widely known social media site to let loved ones know their safety status without having to call literally everyone you know.
- Social media for evil… I do not recall such widespan criticism of the American people banding together after 9-11-01 (again, I was young) but the level at which people can critique on such a worldwide platform is astounding. When the world was showing its support for France, many bloggers and angry commenters were wondering, “Why France? What about Iran? What about Syria?” comparing death tolls (how does someone DO that?) and criticizing the way the French people have dealt with it has made me sick. There is no tragedy that is greater than another, no country greater than another, and no life that costs more than another.
- Fraud. The “lights of the Eiffel Tower went out for the first time since 1889” thing is a lie. They go off around 1:00 AM every night. (When you’re using that as a landmark to tell where you are in a foreign city and it goes away, you tend to notice these things.) “Paris now has armored soldiers swarming its national landmarks,” is also a lie. Every person I asked directions from in my 2014 visit to France was an armed soldier. They are posted at the Louvre, at the Eiffel Tower, at the Arc du Triomphe… they are everywhere. Paris is the number one tourist city in the world and holds the second largest collection of art in the world. OF COURSE THEY HAVE SOLDIERS PROTECTING IT! Again, it was 14 years ago, but I don’t remember this many social media lies coming out with 9-11-01. I remember MANY conspiracy theories (ie. The Aliens tried to warn us of these attacks… etc.) but never as many blatant lies so quickly spread like wildfire and created simply for the entertainment of the lie’s creator.
- Criticism. As an American, I remember being in awe of the sheer patriotism that was shown immediately after the 9-11 attacks. American flags were everywhere. Prayers were said as communities came together. With the convenience of social media, it is easier than ever to show support and donate to causes. With the attacks on Paris, it is simple for anyone in any country to change their profile picture to the French flag or to donate to the victims of the attacks. But with that, comes anger and retaliation from those unaffected and unsympathetic. “Do you really think you are battling terrorism with a blue, white, and red profile picture?” No. We don’t. But we DO think we are standing with the people just like us in Paris, France and are showing our support in a simple way. After the 9-11-01 attacks on the United States, French soldiers flew an American flag in front of the Eiffel Tower. They stood with and for the United States, so I choose to stand with them as best I can.
The attacks on Paris, France have been a sobering reality check for everyone worldwide. It is tough to believe that it has been 24 years since the terrorist attacks on US soil, and the world still has to deal with senseless acts of terrorism, but this is our reality. Terrorism is our everyday life. Terrorism is a vocabulary word our children will always know. As an adult in 2015, watching these events unfold is a completely different experience than it was in 2001. The world has changed. But is it for the better?
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If you grew up anywhere near the late 80’s through the late 90’s you undoubtedly watched “Boy Meets World” and were entranced (as we all were) with Cory, Topanga, Shawn, and all their shenanigans.
Additionally, if you were as transfixed by this show as I was, you probably have heard of its spinoff 20 years later called “Girl Meets World” featuring Cory, Topanga, Shawn, and now… Cory and Topanga’s daughter Riley (played by Rowan Blanchard). The show airs on Friday nights on the Disney Channel and has already begun its second season. Disney Channel has a reputation for making obsession-worthy shows for the pre-teen demographic. Lizzie McGuire taught young girls to remain quirky, Hannah Montana was living the dream of every teenager… but Girl Meets World speaks to something much deeper than any Disney show yet. This past week’s episode discussed religion. In the context of the show, Mr. Matthews (Ben Savage) tells his class (including his daughter) that “We are all different people with different beliefs. Not everybody is going to believe what you do, but it is always worth listening to the people closest to you and learning their beliefs.” The show aired the evening of the Paris, France bombings on November 13th. In another episode, Girl Meets World tackles Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Saying, “It doesn’t matter to me what you’ve been labeled as… you are you and I love you for that.” In yet ANOTHER episode, Riley (Blanchard) was being cyber bullied and did not know how to ask for help. Disney Channel isn’t just in the business of making entertainment anymore and neither is Michael Jacobs (creator of both Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World.) In an admirable move, Disney took a show with an already existing fan base, expanded the horizons to entice the Boy Meets World’s generation’s children, and has taken their show as a platform for social issues in modern American society. With each episode comes a new conversation between parents and children. With each new obstacle the family meets, our families at home can examine how WE would deal with them. It is a well written show Disney Channel, and I applaud the delicate balance you’ve struck between humor and modern social issues. Thank you for sharing Riley and the Matthews’ with us every week. So everyone is all up in arms about Caitlin Jenner and her being voted one of Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year.” I must admit, I was intrigued and wary all at the same time, so I went to see Buzzfeed’s interview with Jenner. The question and answer duo sticking out most to me (and apparently to a lot of commenter’s) was “What do you find hardest about being a woman?” to which Jenner replied “Finding something to wear.”
I won’t bore you on what I think is right or wrong about this statement, but I did take the time to think of what kind of answer this question would warrant from me, and I came up with so many I just HAD to rank them for you: 4) Feminism. I am lucky to live in a world where my job is that of my own making, my peers do not look down on me for being a female (or for any other reason), my pay is fair, and my needs are constantly taken into account. Therefore, my “struggle” as they say “is NOT real.” For many women out there however, there is a great deal of struggle for equality and acceptance. Being a woman in this day and age is HARD not only for these struggles but even for each of our awareness on these struggles. If I do not have these issues, am I less of a feminist? If I do have these struggles and do not fight for equality am I less of a woman? It’s all so complicated! 3) Upkeep. The more you do to your body, the more you are expected to do! It starts with an eyebrow wax or some light highlights and then BAM suddenly you’re in a sea of exfoliating scrubs and wax trips and hair thickeners and you’re left wondering how you got there! 2) The “wants” and the “want nots.” From the time we hit college it seems every girl talk usually contains the question, “So how many kids are YOU having?” or “Have you picked out boy names yet? I just love my girl names so much I don’t want to THINK about having a baby Bieber Zayn Smith!” Ok. I may be exaggerating slightly, but you get the point. I have always fallen in the “want nots” category of people who don’t really find themselves longing to procreate where I usually get a “That will change,” or a “You can adopt,” or my favorite, “But that is the most womanly thing you can do… why wouldn’t you want to give birth?” When a dude says, “I am not sure about having kids,” do his friends immediately dismiss him? NO. They pass him another beer and say, “Dude you’re totally wasted” or something like that. (Disclaimer: I have no idea what dudes talk about in regards to childbirth so I have no frame of reference here.)
Now. What is the BEST part of being a woman? For me. It’s quite singular and very different from Ms. Jenner’s perspective:
Hi. My name is Brittney. I am a Catholic. And I am not offended by the Starbucks cup.
Don’t get me wrong, I think this year’s is ugly AF. But it’s not because of its lack of “Christian Meaning” (wtf does that even mean??) It’s because of the pathetic attempt at ombre that gets covered up by my mug sleeve. Fear not, Mike and Beca at the Drive Thru window, this will not stop me from coming to see you! As far back as I can remember, the Starbucks cup never once said “Merry Christmas” explicitly anywhere at all, nor do I remember it boasting crosses or baby Jesuses (Jesi? Jesus’?). I do fondly remember snowflakes and ice skates and occasionally some presents. HOW ARE PRESENTS EXCLUSIVELY CHRISTIAN? Newsflash: they aren’t. Everyone likes presents. Even atheists. Even Jehovah’s Witnesses. That’s why they’re always coming to your door. To give out some killer books (bibles.) Stop trying to make everything a “political correctness issue” and drink some damn caffeine. I promise you’ll feel better. Xoxo The Super CaffeinatedCatholic |
AuthorBrittney Little author of "What Doesn't Kill You Makes A Good Story: A How NOT To Gude to College" writes about life, love, and living out your dreams. Archives
December 2016
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