Seminar in Professional Practice and Ethics @seannellchambers-blog - Tumblr Blog

Little Rock Nine [Blog 17]

Being raised in an African-American home, I was always taught about the Little Rock, Arkansas's desegregation in the year 1957. There was no way of getting away from it, seeming as though both of my parents are from the south and my mother was born and raised in Little Rock, her self. Whatever the case, it was drilled into my head the fiasco that escalated when Blacks where allowed to enter the same school as the Whites.

When reading the book by Melba Pattillo Beals (one of the Little Rock Niners), I was well informed on what actually happened inside the school walls, resulting with me shedding a tear for almost every altercation they went through.

When putting myself in their shoes, I wouldn't know what to do; to be quite honest, I would've probably done nothing but cry -- as I did after the class discussion that day.

I was highly upset at how some of the students spoke as if this event was so miniscule, or basically it wasn't worth watching. I remember one male student in the class rolling his eyes when watching the Oprah Show as the Caucasian former students of the high school apologized to the Little Rock Nine. I was overwhelmed with anger wanting to comment in the class discussion, but I figured it was only best to keep my mouth closed.

It hurts my soul to see just how rude people are towards others just because of the color of their skin. And it makes me just as sick when people act like racism or segregation still doesn't exist today. Ones that often acknowledge it say that "we" (African-Americans) should get over it...it happened; the nation has given you "guy's" a month, so stop your whining.

In one of my Criminal Justice class, there was an argument between the 3 African-American student (including me) and him because he said those exact same words above when we got on the topic of racial profiling. He believed racism never existed, and if "it" did, African-Americans were the dumb ones to get into slavery. I was highly insulted.

So when this discussion came up in class, I was a bit touchy to see some students' reactions of boredom or "here we go again" faces. Those students were courageous to stand up against segregation. And I know there is a high percentage of us who would've coward away if placed in this situation.

Recent Violent News [Blog 16]

I don't know if this would be considered as recent, but when it comes to news coverage of a violent event, my mind instantly thinks of the Sandy Hook shooting.

When this epidemic happened, the media was all over it. No matter how they could get the information, they all found different ways to report this incident. Some news channels would speak about how terrified the children and staff of the school were and the tactics they preformed in order to escape the shooter; and other news channels would focus on the shooter, trying to build sympathy for him by showing he was a trouble child who just wanted love and attention. I found it funny (odd, or weird) how CBS would cover the story by only posting pictures of the shooter when he was about 13-years-old, but -- in actuality-- the shooter is now 21 years of age when he did this horrendous crime. CBS definitely tried to play the "he's-so-young-and-innocent" role which anyone in their right mind's would know that this is all just for show.

The whole entire Sandy Hook coverage was long drawn out and distasteful for the loved ones who tried to get over the incidence. Basically, all the news channels where just hungry for attention and viewers rates.

Moral Developement [Blog 14]

Chapter 11 discusses the theorist of moral development. The first thing the chapter discusses about moral development is the similarities between ages.

Piaget discussed how there are four different stages is this process of development. The first being the development stage, where the age range is between years one and two. This model was constructed in order to demonstrate their motor skills by using marbles. Throughout the first stage, Piaget would go into detail about egocentrism with the age range from the three to seven-year-olds.

During this stage, the children understand the concept of playing by the rules is the right thing to do; they feel as if they are capable of doing whatever they please. The next stage is the heteronomy phase where the children range from ages seven to eight-years-old. This stage shows each child realizing their own personal role when trying to win the game; realizing that following the rules exactly will allow them to win without any problems. The last stage is Autonomy. This is where the kids follow the rules and understand the meaning they process. At this level, the child is responsive to cultural rules and labels of good and bad, right or wrong, but he interprets the labels in terms of either the physical or hedonistic consequences of action (punishment, reward, exchange of favors) or the physical power of those who enunciate the rules and labels.

The level is divided into the following three stages: Pre-Conventional, Conventional, and Post-Conventional. The first Level of moral thinking is found in elementary school level. The first stage of this level shows how people behave according to socially acceptable norms.

The second level of moral thinking is the generally found in society, the first stage is characterized by attitude, which also seeks the approval of others. The second stage is one of following the rules and responding to obligations of duty. The last level is of moral thinking. This stage is not reached by majority of adults. The first stage is and understanding of social mutuality and genuine interest in welfare of others. As during stage 6 is based on respect for universal principle and the demands of individual’s conscience. Kohlberg believed in stage 6 but he never could get enough people to elaborate on it other than observe there movement.

Photo Controversy [Blog 13]

In February 24, 1966 in Sawn, Japan, United Press International, a United States Army tank is shown dragging the body of a soldier in Viet Cong Tan Bihh, South Vietnam. The picture is evil and merely distasteful, but yet highly informational by allowing people to see a side of war that is never seen or just ignored.

In this photo, it shows just how much respect the troops have for one another; despite the fact if the Vietnamese are their enemies…they’re still human beings! Even though a picture like this should be public, it also can cause a lot of controversy not just to the American troops but towards retaliation from the enemy, as well. Something of this magnitude should be publicized so that the world can see the truth of the United States troops and how war truly is. These kinds of photos are very informative… leading to the world-renowned statement, “a picture is worth a thousand words”.

This black and white photo does not tell a thousand, but millions of words instead. Things like this always bring a sour taste to your mouth especially when it has something to do with your own country.

McCaw Documentary Questions [Blog 12]

Jerry Robert’s statement basically states that journalist are only here to tell the truth no matter what type of consequences they have to face. When becoming a journalist, those individuals already knew what they were getting themselves into, which is covering the facts at all times.

Telling the truth can have an effect on everyone, especially the ones (companies) that you may be working for. Reporters at this newspaper who worked under Wendy McCaw dealt with their sponsorships being taken away if certain things were leaked to the public published about her “friends” and she was willing to do everything she could in order to keep her “friend’s” situation on the “hush-hush.”

Wendy McCaw’s views on property rights are not what they should be since she is working in the business of telling the truth at all times, as well as, being unbiased. For instance, if a celebrity wants to build property on certain landmarks in one’s hometown, it’s the reader’s privilege to know what is happening. However, Mrs. McCaw wants to help keep her friends tucked away in private even though most of the times they are doing things that are considered wrongful in the public’s eye. Since the Documentary was aired, she made sure that the address of one of her close friend’s was not published. She was so angered to the point that actions were taken place in order to punish the writer that created the story. In my opinion, that celebrity not only has a personal connection with McCaw, but has some monetary possession in the newspaper. But one would never really know since she likes to keep all of this information secretive.

As anyone can tell that has viewed her newspaper, it’s not about telling the truth at all costs, but is more of a sales or help ad for animals. At the end of the Wendy McCaw has the final say-so of what is published in the paper, despite whether it is profitable or not.

Political Relevant Speech [Blog 11]

When watching Jon Stewart on Crossfire in class, I understood what he was trying to say and I have to admit...I kind of agree with his opinion. As intelligent adults, we should automatically realize that show's like his, David Letterman's, or Colbert's Report are all nothing but pure entertainment lightly mixed with a few political facts. It would be completely idiotic to believe everything from these shows when they speak about politics because the main purpose from this show is strictly to entertain the ones who choose to watch it.

Take Saturday Night Live (SNL) for example. Though this show often speaks about political situations on its "Weekend Update", they're main job is to make the viewers laugh so they will pull out "all of the stops" in order to do so. No one ever says, "Oh, let me turn on Jon Stewart or SNL for my source of recent news" because that would be completely absurd!

(VEIL OF IGNORANCE) Dateline: "How to Catch A Predator" watcher [Blog 10]

When watching this show, I have become outraged at what I see! I have to admit, when I first began watching “How to Catch a Predator”, I was left in shock and awe to witness hairy, old men lust for young girls and even boys! I was utterly disgusted at this horrid sight, but yet…I couldn’t stop watching it.

Week after week I would tune in to watch Chris Hansen reveal the next “scum-bag of society”. It would drive me wild to find out that that individual was a doctor, a school teacher, or even an owner of a kid’s toy store! And then it hit me – I wasn’t really watching a news informative show…it was all for just pure entertainment!

I have to admit, my sole basis of watching this show was the fact that I loved to see the child predators squirm in their seats as Mr. Hansen would put their personal business out for all to see. I would laugh so hard at their idiotic responses, that sometimes my sides would begin to ache! But at the end I realized...I only watched it for pure entertainment!

The actual newsworthiness went completely out of the window a long time ago!

#howtocatchapredator

The News is rigged! It's all PROGRAMMED. [Blog 8]

When it comes to the question “To what degree do you feel the news is programmed in reality; it only comes down to one answer…it happens all the time!

Though we choose not to believe it, this sort of conundrum in the news realm happens daily and for the same reason as many other things in this world -- for money!

Newspapers and News Broadcasts are all about the “All Might Dollar” at all times. Even when trying to cover a heart-warming story, the belief that they’re doing it to get viewers (or their ratings higher) is always in the forefront of their minds because “money makes the world go ‘round.” With reporters knowing they have to be the first on the scene, or first to get the story about the most recent event than their competition because this will surely raise their station in the ratings polls, clearly shows that money is most important to them than the actual news, itself.

The News is programmed to the extreme with producers making journalist only cover certain stories that he or she believes is best; when and where to air those stories (meaning all bad news first and then the good at the end); and how to keep the viewers coming back to their station night after night by stating “cliff-hangers” or “stay-tuned”.

No matter how one looks at it…news is just a business like every other company in the world.

Comments to Amgalan Jargalsaikhan's blog [Blog 7]

In my Ethics classroom blog, classmate Amgalan Jargalsaikhan stated something that I found rather jaw dropping. She mentioned in her moral compass blog that, “I have to try to help people as much as possible. Don’t lie to people, who are important to you. Try to see the good in people. Be nice and friendly.” Though this may seem something normal, or not surprising, in my opinion it is!

As a fellow server amongst one of the many restaurants out there, I deal with all sorts of people; and unfortunately, the ones that are rude. When I get these sorts of people, I often wonder…did your mother ever teach you managers? Or simply…what is completely wrong with you?! If people began to be more “nice and friendly”, then maybe we could all see “the good in people”.

Case Study 3...Brita Campaign [Blog 6]

I decided to choose the Brita Campaign case (“Filter For Good” campaign) because I fully agreed with what they were bringing forth to the table, which was limiting the about of waste and pollution from the plastic bottles we use today. But the way that the Brita Campaign went about this, I have to say that I actually agree with them.

Though there are others who may not have approved of what Brita did to get their product seen, but as a Corporate Communications major, I understand that they were only doing what that had to do.

What I mean by that is that they went through a way in which they knew that their targeted audience would be impacted. Knowing that everyone typically wants to lose weight and are infatuated with weight loss supplements or programs, what better way to try to sell their product then by intertwining it with the Biggest Loser television special?

With everyone getting TV recording devices like DVR or TiVo, it limits the chances by a substantial margin of getting their product out to individuals who refuse to watch commercials or even pick up a newspaper with picture ads. Being a firm believer of any sorts of ads because that is the profession I am going in, I agree with what Brita did 100%.

T.A.R.E.S Test [Blog 5]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlfinjxFEYI

Truthful- In my opinion, this ad is extremely truthful. It states to the audience how accidents happen, where it could be completely not your fault, and yet, you still suffer from the actions of others. I had this exact same thing happen to me a couple of years back, where I was a victim of a hit and run accident by a young teen who, I’m pretty sure, did not have insurance; unfortunately, I had to pay to pay out of my hard earned cash to get it fixed.

Authentic- I believe that this commercial did have a bit of authenticity to it. Allstate isn’t really being aggressive about getting people to buy their insurance, but instead, they try to use the “what if” factor. With saying “Are you in good hands?” is a clear example that they mean only to aid the customers and not to scare them into doing anything that they do not wish to do.

Respect- As already mentioned above, Allstate is very respectful to its customers’ well-being. True, they want them to buy their insurance from Allstate, but they are not chastising the customers or using scare tactics to get them to do so. Instead, Allstate shows accidents that could possibly happen to you through an ironic standpoint from using the guy named Mayhem.

Equity- in all of Allstate’s commercials, the message they are trying to portray is not made to be “over-the-person’s-head”. The commercials remain on an even playing field where customers are able to interpret the message at hand and not feel threatened by any means.

Socially Responsible- This commercial is completely socially responsible because everyone who decides to buy their insurance is protecting themselves from harm’s way that could possible happen to them. Since accidents happen to all people, purchasing their insurance would indeed help you and maybe even others.

Comparison between “Fire Escape Collapse” & “Falling Man”

When looking at both of these photos, my heart instantly aches. As I see these poor souls falling to their death, my first initial thoughts are, what the thoughts are running through their brains; are they praying for God to help them; are they wishing someone, somehow would save them? Whatever their thought may be, I am stricken with grief.

Like the majority of news critics, I agree with wanting to shade pictures or stories that show too much explicit details, such as these, but I have somewhat came into terms with knowing that the truth must be told; no matter how gruesome it may seem. After looking at these pictures inventively, I realized that though all three of the individuals are falling, there some differences between the two photographs.

In the 9/11 photograph, “Falling Man”, the man appears calm and fearless of his death; though, it is true, that the viewer cannot see his facial expression because he is too far away, one can witness this calmness from the relaxation from his body. He appears to be limp and accepting of his death, whereas in the “Fire Escape Collapse” photo, the facial expressions of the young woman and the child are very vivid, showing horror all over their faces.

My belief why the male is more relaxed during his fall is because he probably debated in his mind on the decision he should make – to fall or burn alive. The females on the other hand, were unaware that the dangers that were unfolding in front of their very eyes and begin to panic as they fell to their deaths.

Today's Discussion: What is truth?

Personally, I do not believe there is a true definition to truth. We live our daily lives trying to establish what we think is the truth, but never really have a true grasp of what anything is.

Truth can be looked at in many different aspects because no one truly knows what is real; what is fact; or what is actuality? I know many individuals who say, “Seeing is believing”, but that is not always the answer to every situation because there are a wide spread of religions out there who think differently. Some of these religions believe that their god is real and all powerful, even though they have never witnessed him with their own eyes. I must admit, I, too, believe in the same aspect as the rest of these religious believers, but it is only because I was raised to think that was the truth.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the God I serve, but there are days that I begin to wonder if this was all a conspiracy to give people strict morals to live by in the early days that has prolonged until the present day.

I don’t know….it’s just a thought.

Who is My Moral Compass? [Blog 2]

When contemplating on who I would consider as my moral compass, I would have to say my parents – hands down. Without my parents, I would not know where I would be in my life right now. There’s a great possibility without their proper and helpful guidance, I would not be the person that I look at in the mirror every morning.

I am proud to say that my parents’ religious upbringing, along with constant dose of reality checks, gave me a better of what’s wrong and what’s right; basically, they are the ones who opened my eyes, guiding me along a path that could possibly lead me along to a path of positive rewards. For instance, if my parents were to have raised me to be like most modern day children, I would be given everything like money, cars, clothes, etc. And once receiving these items I will most likely become one of those individuals who are self-centered, living life believing that everyone owes them something because they deserve to get anything and everything that they want.

Luckily, I was taught to never look for a hand out; work hard for whatever you want; always be honest, even if it is going to cause you or another some form of pain; and stay true to yourself because once you love yourself, others cannot help but to love you, too.

I can honestly say, though my upbringing was a bit rougher than most individuals that I come across, but I would not change it for the world. Growing up in dangerous streets of East St. Louis, along with my parents’ strong moral background, molded me into the goal-oriented, steadfast person I am today…and I cannot thank my parents enough for what they sacrificed and taught me in the early years of my life.

#moralcompass

Today's Topic Point of View [Blog 1]

When watching the videos in class this morning, the ones that stuck out to me were the ones about the students fighting and the teachers standing aside to watch. Honestly, I think what the teachers did was perfectly fine with me! I do not agree with what that internet news broadcast was trying to say about those teachers who thought it was best not to intervene, but instead watch.

As mentioned in class, teachers are told by their Board of Education of what to do whenever this sort of situation was to happen and it clearly states that they are not supposed to jump into the fight because it risks danger to themselves, the student, or a potential lawsuit for the school.

In my opinion, I do not believe the media should even be concerned about adding this kind of situations to their news line up; fights amongst students happen on a regular basis (well, at least my high school did) and is not newsworthy enough to be broadcast on television every night.

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