“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.
