The Meaning of Triumph

Triumph: A noun defined as a great victory or achievement. However, when the term triumph is given a face in the media, it adds more sentimental value. It has now become our hero, role model and person of interest. When a sports figure is humanized through reinforced narratives, it sends a message that gives us hope. Empathy is easier, relatability is imminent, and therefore, a natural transference is undeniable.  Feelings of perseverance and determination become more focal. When you are able to make a connection through someone else’s narratives, the isolating feeling of, “am I the only one going through this?”  becomes null in void, which can feel affirming. Various media outlets have helped us engage and navigate these feelings in order to appreciate a sports figure narrative in a shared or individual way.    

                Usually, when a sports figure triumphs in the face of the nation for everyone to see, that sports figure is now relatable. They have now achieved an unprecedented support group cheering them on. Based on the athlete’s race, gender, religion preference, hometown,. and how their story is reported, these sport narratives have engaged the audience in a sense of mutual belonging with others that share these common elements. With this sense of commonality, the spectator can then see themselves as a victor. Meaning, he or she won, and I won, too!

                The meaning of triumph is comprised of a smorgasbord menu that you can pick from based on a person’s individual likes and dislikes. Its motivation is uncanny, and its sentiments are priceless. Never underestimate the power of narratives in relation to triumphing towards your dream.

"Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?"

“In inner cities, African-Americans, Hispanics, are living in hell because it’s so dangerous. You walk down the street, you get shot”- GOP Presidential Nominee Donald Trump (2016).

Judge Thomas Estes handed down a sentence of two years’ probation for sexually assaulting two women to defendant David Becker, an 18-year-old white male, was seen as privileged (e.g., high school star athlete from East Longmeadow, MA) and received a lenient sentence because of it. His lawyer, Thomas Rooke (2016) stated, “The goal of this sentence was not to impede this individual from graduating high school and to go on to the next step of his life, which is college experience. He can now look forward to a productive life without being burdened with the stigma of having to register as a sex offender.”

As young children, we are taught to listen, respect our elders, and people of authority. These people of authority are usually adults that have some type of influence on our lives, such as our teachers, pastors and parents/caregivers.  As we grow up these people of authority warp into our managers, judges, presidents, police officers etc. who all impact our lives in different ways. However, when you’re a child, the words of these people are golden. In a 2012 study on false belief and knowledge-ignorance concluded that children 3-5 years of age are very inquisitive and have a higher acceptance and credibility rate for the information that is given to them when it’s from someone of authority.  This acceptance and credibility does not disappear as we age. How someone is portrayed in the media is one thing. But, just as important is who is conveying the message. Are our children remembering the things that’s coming out of our authoritative figures mouths and replaying it in their heads over, over, and over again as the media endlessly replays soundbites? Do children believe what these authority figures say as fact and subconsciously act as if? Are the words forever ingrained? 

Reference

Hauser, C. (2016).Retrived October 24, 2016 from .www.nytimes.com

Lane, J.D., Wellman, H.M., & Evans, E.M. Henry M. (2012). Sociocultural input facilitates children’s            developing understanding of extraordinary minds. Child Development, 83, 1007-1021.

McDoanld, N. (2016). The Vampire Phenomenon in Fantasy Media and Teenager Perceptions of the        Afterlife. Retieved from Proquest.

Has adopting black babies gone out of style?

Angelia Jolie, Madonna, Joely Fisher, Sandra Bullock, Mariska Hargitay, Mary Louise Parker, Kristin Davis, Charline Theron, and Jillian Michaels are just some of the celebrities who have adopted black babies in the last decade. When I first noticed this trend, I immediately wanted to jump on board — and then immediately realized I’d been on this since 2000. This trend seem to come out of nowhere. Between 2005-2012, all of a sudden black babies were the next best thing like a new Hermes bag. But it doesn’t stop at the adoption process. These babies are growing up black in America today.  Let me start off by saying I do commend parents that adopted these beautiful babies that are now coming of age. However, with the “black lives matter” movement and the race tension that’s in the air, this would be a great time for these parents to set a trend to protect these precious gems and speak out. This is some serious star power we are talking about!

Adopting a child of another race can be enlightening, but that enlightenment can come with disparities that the child may encounter because of their race. The fact of the matter is, for change to happen, black America cannot do it alone. We can bring attention to the matter and may provoke a call to action, but we alone cannot change it. History has shown when change happens, it’s a collaboration of people, especially including white people of influence. Regardless if that change was provoked into action because of the attention. The influencers made it happen. For instance:

John F. Kennedy and the civil rights movement,

Oswald G. Villard and the NAACP,

William E. Walling & Henry Moskowitz and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

There is no better understanding of how someone of a different race is treated in America than if this person is living, breathing and eating under your roof. Regardless of how you feel about an individual’s race, as parents, that innate responsibly to protect your child is inevitable.  We may not all have the same walk in life, but as parents of black children whether you had one biologically or adopted one, we all share one commonality: We are raising black children in America. So let’s protect these precious gems and speak out as one to ignite change.

“Angel down, angel down, she said with her hands raised to signify ‘don’t shoot’. Why do people just stand around?” - Lady Gaga (2016) tribute to Trayvon Martin

Reference

www.Madamenoire.com                              

I'm going to vote for this candiate because "IT'S MY PARTY I CAN CRY IF I WANT TO!"

For decades, media has been relied upon to call attention to policy conflicts and to identify likely alternatives available to those seeking a resolution. In short; to define the public agenda. Interactive multimedia, blogs, social networks, virtual worlds and other innovations get a great deal of attention. In many instances they have begun to supplant print, radio and television, yet a major question remains unanswered; how do voters and consumers actually process information? What is the connection between political technique, political conviction and appeal to the heart and to the mind.
To answer these questions we must first remember that in any media , those who created advocacy and political messages seek to shape a narrative, tell a convincing story and to make events come alive. At first look these approaches to narrative and agenda setting appear to be uniquely American. But American-style political message and spin is being sold, but is it working? Narratives are stories. Americans loves stories: good, bad, sad, happy, etc. Americans love to identify with characters, we long to arouse in satisfaction of seeing situations unfold and resolve and become an active viewer with lingering questions and wonder. When picking your political "party," how did you arrive at this decision: did you take on the views of your parents/caregiver or did the campaign attempt to frame issues and beliefs around its narrative and you bought into it as being part of its intended audience? Or, as Walter Lippman states: Neither, I'm just part of the "Bewildered Herd."