Rent or Live Poem

Rent or live by Jasmon Jackson

Sometimes we see homeless people on the street and wonder how they got to where they are.

Then I remember I am not too far, from being where they are.

Sleeping on the street or in a car.

I know I work hard, went to school trying to get further.

Living every day is a fight to stay above water.

Having to choose between a roof or food, gas or lights, kids or life.

Working everyday just to sign it all away.

Affordable housing seems like a dream far away.

And don’t try to live on minimum wage there is no housing, no choice, no way.

Having kids means a bigger place, more money, little space, in a poor place.

One check away from losing your space, the pressure is on every day and always.

Affordable housing seems like a dream far away.

Seems like were all one step away from that homeless way.

Every check goes straight to rent

Don’t get to keep not one dime not one cent.

Treating yourself; that day has come and went.

Treating yourself is keeping a roof over your head.

Having somewhere to sleep, and a bed to lay your head.

Resistance to social change

Resistance to social change

The phenomenon of resistance to change has been central to the study of social psychology since the very inception of the field. In the late nineteenth century, the American sociologist Thorstein Veblen (1857–1929) took sober notice of the inherently conservative aspects of the human mind—that is, the ways in which human beings are prone to privilege custom and tradition over progress and social change (Jost, 2015). Naturally people resist change. At times I believe that we are more comfortable with the unfair, and not having what we want over adjusting to change.

However, social change isn’t just change for one individual it makes life changing and affects populations. We have been so accustom to the way it has always been throughout society, that we don’t often think that we can actually make a change. When we think back through history the greatest changes that affected society happened through social change. Civil rights movements through time was social change. The fight to end segregation, women’s rights, and gay rights were social changes that affected many. Without these people taking a chance on social change; blacks and browns would not have equal rights, women wouldn’t be able to vote or hold public offices, and gays would not be allowed in the military or to get married. Since these groups of people stood up for what they wanted, and thought was right, they gave up the resistance to social change and fought for it instead.

Sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zone and adapt to change. Especially to issues involving social changes that affect so many. Without people who fight for social change imagine where our society, and county would be today.

Works Cited

Jost, J. T. (2015). RESISTANCE TO CHANGE: A SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE. Social Research, Vol. 82 : No. 3.

Affordable Housing Crisis

Affordable Housing Crisis

I live in California and have been searching affordable housing for years for my family. With no luck, and after looking more into the Affordable Housing Crisis. I learned where the crisis began, how long it began, as well as how this housing crisis got so bad. When starting this project, I selected the housing crisis, because it directly affected me, especially being in California. However, I have learned from these resources, that this housing crisis isn’t just a state issue, or even a national issue, but a worldwide issue. Countries such as England are even suffering from affordable housing.  This research made me more passionate about this social change knowing that it has affected so many people. I learn the number of people who are affected by affordable housing, this action research shows the strength in number we will have through supporters in social change initiatives.

So many people and entities are involved in this housing crisis, therefore there are several stakeholders that need to be engaged for support and social change initiatives. Strategies such as internet surveys and op-eds to show real life effect of people suffering from this crisis. Also, showing we have a strategy for change. Using social media and internet to gain support on housing bills, and financial relief. Getting people, banks, relators, state, and federal governments involved to shoe stakeholder support and those affected, and in need of this social change. Engaging stakeholders in rally’s, protest, and workshops for financial advising, home loans, Bankruptcy, and Credit counseling. Strategies that have been used before in housing crisis such as; Underlying this point of view is the belief that government regulation and intervention in markets cause more problems than they solve. In particular, these critics maintain that the 1977 Community Reinvestment Act pushed banks to make bad loans by requiring them to serve low-income neighborhoods. Although the law set no lending quotas or even targets, it enabled community groups to extract concessions from banks that sought to expand or acquire rivals. ACORN, for example, has used the CRA as leverage to compel banks to create pools of loans for low- and moderate-income families. Its efforts have generated about $6 billion in loans to these borrowers, while also generating funds for ACORN's nonprofit housing corporation. Supporters call that a win-win scenario; critics say it's legalized extortion (Anonymous, 2008).

When addressing my peers, I want to ask what steps do they think the government should take to address this housing crisis? Home and Bank Bailouts? Working Americans pay increase? Lowering housing cost? What is the best way to make purchasing and home more affordable for working class Americans?  Do you think more stimulus packages will help or was a mistake like; When the Obama administration took office in February 2009, the US economy was definitely heading into a deep recession. A large decline in consumption and investment, and massive layoffs resulted in negative GDP growth and record breaking unemployment. The annualized quarterly GDP growth rate dropped to - 4.0 percent in the third quarter of 2009 and -6.8 percent in the last quarter. It was the worst performance of the US economy since the Great Depression. Unemployment rate started to increase very rapidly, from 5.4 percent in May 2008 to 8.2 percent in February 2009. With worsening output and growing unemployment, the new Administration pushed for the second stimulus package, as many felt that the size of the previous Bush stimulus package was too small to have an adequate effect on such a large-scale recession (Sunwoong, 2010).

Works Cited

Anonymous. (2008). Don't blame the victims; greedy mortgage brokers and lenders, not affordable-housing advocates, ignited the credit crisis. Los Angeles Times.

Sunwoong, K. (2010). It’s the Housing Market, Stupid! US Housing Crisis and Public Policy Response. Seri Quarterly.

Social Change

Social Change

Social change refers to any significant alteration over time in behavior patterns and cultural values and norms. By “significant” alteration, sociologists mean changes yielding profound social consequences. Examples of significant social changes having long‐term effects include the industrial revolution, the abolition of slavery, and the feminist movement (Social Change Defined, n.d.).

Social change has really just become prevalent in society. More and more people, groups, causes are taking a stand for their needs and what they believe in. Social change is the result of people who fought to change what use to be norms. the phenomenon of resistance to change has been central to the study of social psychology since the very inception of the field. In the late nineteenth century, the American sociologist Thorstein Veblen (1857–1929) took sober notice of the inherently conservative aspects of the human mind—that is, the ways in which human beings are prone to privilege custom and tradition over progress and social change (Jost, 2015).

I have found that I have always been the type of person to fight for social change. Although, I know lie isn’t fair for everyone I still find the passion in me to fight for situations, people, and things that were wrong. After looking back over my life, like other I have chosen to take stance in many social issues that directly affected me! Therefore, I am looking to do the same type of fights, however there are so many social issue that affect me now that I would want to conquer. I know that even as a super hero I can’t save everything and everyone all the time. So I want to consider the top three social circumstance that I would love to address. The first is Fibromyalgia disorder, its misconceptions of the disorder, and fight of proving disability! The second is the housing crisis for middle and lower income American’s! Lastly, but never my last fight for passion is the fight for Gun Control all the world not just the country! All these, affect my life on a daily and I know have traumatize and affected others as well. Awareness and attention to solutions needs to be brought to light!

After taking the Social Change impact quiz, I was highly satisfied with the results and felt the described me completely. I tested to be an Ultra Committed Change maker. After reading the definition I have always fought for what I believes, been part of many social changes, that I started myself, and even started my own non-profit organization where I was again recognized for my fight for social change.  I believe that my passion on what I believe, my ability to fight for change and the knowledge I learned through this course will guide me to be successful in fighting for another social change I believe in. This quiz was just a motivational reminder, who I really am and why I chose to fight!

Communication Theory helps me as a communication scholar because its taught me to determine who is affected be the issue, whose responsible, recognize where the mistake was made then develop and effective response a solution to solve the issue. These steps are what allows me to see opportunities for positive social change.

The potential role for communication experts in social change situations is to establish an effective strategy plan, determine players or stakeholders, determine risk, and then develop a response that shows action. This role can be taken with either of the social changes in which I am considering.

Works Cited

Jost, J. T. (2015). RESISTANCE TO CHANGE: A SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE. Social Research, Vol. 82 : No. 3.

Social Change Defined. (n.d.). Retrieved from CliffNotes: https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/sociology/social-change-and-movements/social-change-defined

Mass Media Outlets

Mass Media Outlets

When considering the many mainstream news mass media outlets. I chose out of the two I utilize the most. Which is internet and television, specifically Facebook, Inc. and KTVU news station. I chose KTVU news station, San Francisco Bay Area channel 2 Fox news. Although, in some way everything has a political affiliation, but as this news station often says, “We are here for the people.” However, KTVU has proven to be trustworthy, reliable, and loyal to their Owner and Bay Area Communities. KTVU is the San Francisco Bay Area local news station on channel 2 also known as Fox News. I selected this television media outlet because I use it the second most often, and through this one media source other media sources are available, such as an internet app, and live feed.

KTVU does not discriminate, nor do they chose or pick sides. They are clear that they are there to present the news, and not just present their opinions or only things they like. They would most side with the democratic point of view, because they believe the people and the community. Which falls into their core values, of people, community, and providing accurate, current news. They would not pick a political side. Fox News Statement of Purpose is as follows:

The Fox Nation was created for people who believe in the United States of America and its ideals, as expressed in the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a community that believes in the American Dream: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. One that believes being an American is an honor, as well as a great responsibility – and a wonderful adventure.

This is a place for people who believe we live in a great country, a welcoming refuge for legal immigrants who want to contribute their talents and abilities to make our way of life even greater. We believe we should enjoy the company and support of each other, delighting in the creativity, ingenuity, and work ethic of one and all, while observing the rules of civility and mutual respect and, most importantly, strengthening our diverse society by striving for unity.

The Fox Nation is committed to the core principles of tolerance, open debate, civil discourse, and fair and balanced coverage of the news. It is for those opposed to intolerance, excessive government control of our lives, and attempts to monopolize opinion or suppress freedom of thought, expression, and worship. (Statement of Purpose, 2015)

Fox News founders are; Rupert Murdoch, Roger Ailes. Roger Ailes is the current CEO of Fox News. Roger Ailes is believed to be a Republican. The party's platform is generally based on American conservatism, in contrast to the contemporary American liberalism of the rival Democratic Party. Although his political views vary from those of democratic or the view of the people, Fox News is still able to hold a non-bias role.

Fox News values may not correlate with the owner or the CEO of fox news, because as an individual the owner may have their own political views, religions or values. However, Fox news as a whole is not able to adapt those same values because they need to remain neutral and not choose sides.  Roger Ailes is a conservative Republican, Fox News is not the Republican Network. Therefore, Fox’s values and political affiliations do not correlate with those of their Owner.

The Fox News Channel has been claiming for more than a decade that their news channel is fair and balanced. The Fox News Channel has been claiming for more than a decade that their news channel is fair and balanced. To test this claim a statistical analysis was done on 32 partial transcripts of the Hannity and Colmes Shows posted on the internet with dates from February 16, 2003 to January 7, 2009. (Eubanks, Loffredo, & Harrington, 2013)  Although, Fox news claims they are fair and unbalanced, this may be true, however the mass media is highly influential and even the slightest comment from an anchor or even an eye witness, can influence viewers. The mass media have always had an influence in shaping the way politics have been conducted. (Potter, 2012) So although, Fox news doesn’t take sides and are fair and balanced, the influence of the media still has an effect on Politics. If a news anchor were to say that they agreed, like or disliked something on the air. Although, it is her personal opinion, the fact she gave her opinion through the mass media, can be considered as choosing sides or not being balanced as Fox News claimed because she is a representatives of Fox News.

Just as the news anchor is free to have their belief, Roger Ailes is free to have his Republican beliefs as well. The Fox News Network has to remain fair and balanced. Therefore, this mass media platform’s opinion will never correlate with those of the conservative owner. Belief are type of cognition; that is, they require cognitive; that is they require processes to construct, and they reside in human memory. They are mental construction about the probability that an object or event is associated with a given attribute. (Potter, 2012) Since The Fox News Network cannot have the definition of what belief is, therefore since there is a lack thereof, the views and belief’s o the owner and network will never correlate and, accounts for the news mass media outlet’s framing and possible gatekeeping.

When evaluating whether or not “truth “and objectivity are feasible, and if it should be a goal in the mass media, I feel that Fox News need to stick with their values of being fair and balanced. They can remain doing that by keeping their beliefs off the airway and off camera. “Truth” and objectivity is feasible but it is only for an individual not a mass media outlet. There have been studies supporting my feeling, and the Fox news belief of not being bias.

Specific examples that have supported these findings are explained in the Formation of Public Beliefs. This is evidence of how the media influences beliefs and why mass media outlets need to be fair and balances. People need to be able to trust their media outlets. People cannot feel that the mass media outlet is agenda setting. Agenda setting theory focuses its explanation on how news content in the media shapes the public beliefs about what is important in society. (Potter, 2012) After research and studies they concluded that media coverage of current events influences the public’s agenda. The new network job is to present the new not to influence the public. Over time, agenda-setting research has also included findings that the media tell us what our beliefs should be on the issue; this is called second-level agenda setting. (Potter, 2012)

Although, it is easy for a person to say how they feel and what they agree with, however on a mass media outlet such as Fox New it is imperative not to enforce public opinion but to report the news in a fair and balanced way. The media has the ability to make publics by making certain information available that shapes “collective thought and action quickly, continuously, and pervasively across previous boundaries of time, space and culture. (Potter, 2012)

In conclusion, one of the reasons I watch Fox news the most is because I trust them and find them creditable. I feel they do present the news in a fair and balanced manor, and that although individuals have their own personal beliefs that mass media outlets must have lack of. Therefore no matter any owner’s political affiliation or public opinion, objectivity will never be feasible through a mass media outlet, especially Fox news.

References

Eubanks, D. A., Loffredo, R., & Harrington, C. (2013). Fox News: Fair and Balanced? We Report. You Decide. New Media and Mass Communication, Vol.13.

p, W. J. (n.d.).

Statement of Purpose. (2015). Retrieved from Fox Nation: http://nation.foxnews.com/our-purpose

SJSU moms seek changes

SJSU moms seek changes This is an old article about me!  Check it out!

Branding

 (Nekiy, 2015)

https://stocklogos.com/logo/african-drums

I chose this image because it caught my attention right off. At first glance the image looks to be something else, like lion’s face. When you look deeper in the picture you can see the real picture. The picture is of two women of culture playing drums together. I felt this image was a powerful and represents way more than they are trying to convey. I feel that is a strength I this logo.  I also loved how this logo represented the African culture and the logo is related to what the product they are advertising, also a strength on advertising. The adverting wasn’t too overwhelming with lots of color an, pictures, instead it was clean and direct. A weakness since I have to give one in this ad, I think a slogan or catchy phrase to make the advertisement more appealing and memorable would be appropriate. An example can be: African Drums – “A sound of our Culture” or African Drums-“Authentic African hand-mad drums. Other than that one suggestion, I loved this logo.

I believe the above logo message was attended too advertise their company store. This logo, was suppose to reach specific cultural backgrounds and reminded them that they can get a piece of the heritage right her in America. The logo is a representation of the company as well as an advertising tool.

I do think that this logo does accomplish the effectiveness of this of its message. The logo embodies the African American drums, and introduces other’s African culture and traditions.

The logo was creative and conveyed an advertising message, of class and curiosity. If I saw this ad in a window, my curiosity would persuade me to walk in and check things out.  The image represented the company and what they sale. The logo was very clear on what their store was about.             Consumers first rely on their own memories, previously learned from direct experience or indirect observations, to figure out a branded product’s expected performance. They either trust what they already know about a brand or infer expected quality of a branded product

(Chunsik Leea *, 2011)                                                                  

If I were to add two things to make this logo more effective, It would be to add a slogan to make the company and ad more memorable, secondly be able too add some contact information even if it is just a social media Icon, some way that if people see this slogan they know how to get in contact and get what they wanted. Slogans are memorable, even if the cant remembers the store name, and lots of people utilize social media and social media icons can connect all your social media sites. This will allow customers to get directly to your site and the convenience will be bringing in more customers. One of the fundamental reasons why social media has been so readily embraced by the general public is that it helps connect people with each others in ways that are valuable, meaningful and convenient. (Blanchard, 2011) This confirms the importance of social media for businesses and organizations

Works Cited

Blanchard, O. (2011). Social Media R01 Managing and Measuring Social Media Efforts in Your Organization. Indianapolis, Indiana: Pearson Education, Inc.

Chunsik Leea *, J. K.-O.-O.-O.-O. (2011). Branded product information search on the Web: The role of brand trust and credibility of online information sourcesBranded product information search on the Web: The role of brand trust and credibility of online information sources. Journal of Marketing CommunicationsJournal of Marketing Communications , 355–374.

Nekiy. (2015, 7 6). http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/.