Class Highlights

I learned many things in this class that I definitely didn't know before. One of my "aha" moments was when we learned about Media Impact. I was always aware of how media impacts and shapes our opinion but never really thought of it in depth. Media has a great amount of influence how we see the world. Magazines for example, show only women and men looking extreme good and well put together. They never show how they look in the mornings. Magazines was a good chapter as well. It talked about when the first magazine was invented and how it all started. I found that very interesting to learn about. Advertising was a great chapter as well. It showed how much effort goes in to promoting something. The world is pretty much based on advertising. Companies spend billions and trillions of dollars on adverting each year. Many of us relay on advertising. For example, a pack of Trident layer gum, had such great advertising that it made me want to buy it. This class taught me a lot about the media in general and I would definitely recommend it.

Johannes Mehserle sentencing

Sentencing verdict of Johannes Mehserle brought a lot of talk around bay area and if the people feel protected by the police. Six De Anza College students were asked about their reaction of the verdict.

            “This is definitely a two inch sword situation,” Julie LaClari 18, a nursing major in her first year at De Anza said. “As a police officer, your are trained to do what is right in combat,” LaClari said, “he felt like the situation was going to get out of control, so he intended to use his taser.” LaClari said, Mehserle’s sentencing is right, but he shouldn’t be working as a police officer any longer.” LaClari said, “it seems like he can’t control his adrenaline rush and response on impulse.” LaClari said, “I believe he used his gun by mistake.” She said she doesn’t feel safe by t he police because what she has seen in general not just with what happened to Oscar Grant. “Police should be 3 months on, 3 months off working other professions to escape that negative energy away,” LaClari said.

            Ken Moore 21, sport management major in his second year at De Anza said, “The judicial system spit in the black man’s face.” Moore who said he has never been in trouble or had any contact with the police, was angry that justice was not served. “It further lets us know, law enforcement is faced in America,” Moore said. “He knew exactly what he was doing, because being a police officer is not the job you do without knowing what you are doing.”

            Abraham Gethaw 21, a sociology major said, “Mehserle knew what he was doing and the video tells it all.” Gethaw feels if Grant was a white guy, the story would have played out different. How can someone only get 2 years for killing another person? This is just foolish.”

“Police are trained to know the difference between a gun and a taser.” Gethaw said, “This lets us further know that the police are ‘ALWAYS RIGHT’ and nothing can be done about that.”

            “The sentencing was not fair, and he used his gun on purpose,” Nate Taye 20, business major said. Taye saw the video and was in shock that the police officer shot Grant in the back while he was hand cuffed. “They protect only their own,” Taye said, that he knew the officer wasn’t going to get a full sentencing but thought that maybe the judge would give a reasonable verdict.

            Ryan Davis, 19, business economics major said, “Police brutality is happening all the time where I’m from,  so therefore police never treat the civilians the right way.” Davis said, “he shot him in a line of fire,  which means if your partner (another police officer) is already holding down the suspect, you shouldn’t be reaching for any type of weapon. Whether it’s a gun or a taser.”

Media Ethics/Media Law

In many European countries, the ban of head covering is a big controversy. This topic would fall under Privacy/Intrusion. It falls under that topic because they are trying to put regulations on women from preventing them dress the way they want to. France has actually pass a law, banning head coverings in public places such are banks, supermarkets and work places, as well as all government organizations.


http://www.islamicity.com/articles/articles.asp?ref=IC0301-2178

Propaganda in Advertising/PR

I chose this ad because I think it has a strong propaganda message behind it. One way you can view this ad is blaming the parents for the children getting high. Since the parents do not pay much attention to their children they resort to other things. You can also view this message by children telling their parents how they feel but the only thing the parents hear is "Krystal and Stefany are a couple of friends from school." This is definitely trying to encourage parents to speak  openly with their children about drugs.

Internet

There are 14,611 websites listed. I have heard of Facebook, Myspace, Fliccer and Google Buzz. I don't know of any that aren't listed. I researched InterNations, is an international  social network service launched on September 11, 2007. This is an online platform people living and working abroad, their partners and others with a strong interest in international relations and international business can interact through forums, newsgroups, private messaging service and various common features of online networks.

The site I use most often is Facebook. It helps me stay in touch with old friends and family all around the world. It a great way of always staying in the loop and communicating. Facebook helped me find my childhood friends that I moved away from when I was 9 years old. It was amazing when I finally found them. Not only does it help you stay in touch, you can also look at each others pictures. 

Movies or Recordings

My favorite movie of 2009 has to be My Sister's Keeper http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1078588/. The reason why I liked it so much was because before I went to go see the movie, I didn't know anything about it (which I think is more interesting personally for me). I could really relate to this movie because my aunt had just past away from cancer and I experienced the struggle of being around a sick person and how difficult it can be to cope with all of that.

My all time favorite movie has to be Coming to America http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094898/. This was one of the fist movies that I remember watching with my parents when we first immigrated to America. It is a funny but realistic comedy that will put a smile on your face (even if you might not understand English).

I saw both of these movies in regular format.

Magazines

Name: Fabulicious

Concept: The concept of my magazine would include different ways of looking good from fitness to the clothes you wear and the make up you apply. Everything would be natural and organic.


Readers: The ages of readers would probably be between 21-60 both men and women. The magazine would lean more towards the women but will have helpful tips for men that want to take care of themselves as well.

Competition: People, Health magazines, InStyle, Family Fun.

Advertisers: clothing companies, organic and natural product companies, wellness clinics, fitness clubs, and cooks.

Articles:
What is really healthy to eat?
Best home made masks for all skin types
What not to wear
Five healthy 30 minute meals
How to keep up with fashion

The cover for my magazine would include a famous star. It would include various colors that stand out and catch your eye. Would also include quotes from latest news of celebrities.

Books

The three books that have inspired me are; Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Soulljah 
 http://www.amazon.com/Coldest-Winter-Evr-Sister-Souljah/dp/0671025368
 This book made me realize how you can have everything in the world and it can be taken away from you in a second. Money doesn't buy happiness and the only way to actually be successful, is to earn the money the right way. All bad things come to an end at some point.


The second book is Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
http://www.amazon.com/Chelsea-Bang-Handler/dp/0446552445
She basically talked about ups and downs through out her life and wasn't dwelling on them. Instead, she talked about her struggles as more of a joke and laughing about it. Inspired me to do that in my own life.


The third book is Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse 
http://www.amazon.com/Siddhartha-Hermann-Hesse/dp/0553208845
 This is a very spiritual book that makes you think beyond. It focuses on how you don't need anyone and all the extra stuff in our live doesn't really matter.

Media Impact

 Video games like "Grand Theft Auto", have a really big impact not only on teenagers but all age groups. The violence that is represented in the game is way to extreme for reality. From killing police officers to stealing cars and robbing people, makes us think it's okay to behavior in such a way in real life. I believe this is a big physiological impact that media portrays on people.

I would conduct an experiment on random sampling, of  age groups from 13 to 30. Have them play the game for 4 hours a day for a month straight. After a month, see how their behavior and mind frame changes about violence. If the game makes them want to behavior this away on daily bases? Would it be more likely for crime to increase in our neighborhood? How aggressive would they be?

Media Autobiography

 I have constant interaction and relationship with 8 different mass media on day to day bases. Internet and Radio is one of the frequent things that I utilize majority of my day. 

-          Internet – I am always using the internet, checking and searching for different things that I need. My phone is connected to the internet so even when I’m not in front of the computer I’m still connected anywhere, anytime.

-          Radio – I spend a lot of time driving and always listing to music and different radio stations.

-          Movies –  I love renting movies and watching them at home. I feel like you can get more comfortable and relax, rather than going to the movie theater.

-          Newspaper – I don’t ever buy the newspaper unless I am really interested in a particular story. Then again, you can read the whole newspaper online.

-          Magazine – Magazines always get me at the checkout lines. I always end up buying a magazine every time I’m in line at the grocery store.  

-          Books – I usually like to read before I go to bed; it helps me fall asleep faster. Nonfiction books are by far my favorite thing to read…..of course besides school books. J

-          Television – I used to watch a lot more tv when I was younger. I feel like I don’t have much time nor the patients for the extremely long commercial breaks. When I am watching tv, it is something that was previously recorded on my DVR.

-          Recording – Music is a big part of my life. Music keeps me going through out my day. Whether it is at the gym, cleaning or just simple relaxing. 

Overall, mass media communication is a very important part of my life. I am a Communications  Major with a minor in Public Relations. I am hoping to transfer by next fall to Sacramento State.