This story was originally broadcast on 12/4/11 on WABE-FM, Atlanta.
By Stanley Stewart
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Watching the Occupy movement in Atlanta, I thought to myself: “Finally. My generation’s social and political apathy is over - people are taking a stand!” But weeks have turned into months, and I can’t help but think that nothing is really getting accomplished. I was a participant in Occupy Atlanta’s protests when they began. Each rally was full of loud bullhorns bursting through the air and there were hand-written signs of defiance for all to see. My favorite sign read “Money Talks, 99% Walks.” My heart swelled with pride, as I’ve been waiting for a movement like this to spur Americans into action - especially youth like me.
But now, I’ve changed my mind about the best approach to make change. Camping out in a park for months on end and countless marches aren’t exactly ending economic inequality. Instead of taking to the streets, people should be taking to the election booths. We should occupy our legislators’ mailboxes and telephone lines, not the parks. I turn 18 next year and I can’t wait to vote. I think my ballot will make more of a difference than marching down Peachtree Street. Rather than filling up space at a city jail, it seems my fellow protestors and I should put our energy towards electing officials to occupy seats in congress and city hall who will make the changes we want.
Previously on WABE:
* Why Make Impossible Beauty Goals?
* Family Ties And Mom's New Baby
Robyn Gee, Turnstyle News
As candidates for the 2012 presidential election gear up for campaign season, a new study from the Public Religion Research Institute shows that millennials (people born in the 1980's) might throw candidates for a loop by decoupling traditionally married agenda items - specifically same sex marriage and legal abortions.
Millennials are generally liberal, non-religious, educated, and confident, according to a Pew Research study. In the past, being liberal, educated, and non-religious were indicators that you supported the legality of abortion in all or most cases. However, the study shows that millennials (18 - 29) are no more likely than the average American to support the legality of abortion.
Yet, the millennial demographic is unique in that it shows the biggest difference between supporting the availability of abortion (68%) versus the legality of abortion (60%). Hence the name of the study, “Committed to Availability; Conflicted About Morality.”
All other age demographics come within one or two percentage points of agreeing on availability and legality. This seems to suggest that overall legality measures on abortion might not have universal millennial support. Meanwhile, millennials are much more likely than the average American to support legal same-sex marriage. As the study points out, the traditional “values” agenda couples these two items: same-sex marriage and abortion. But these two items are not necessarily a natural pair anymore. We may be young, but man, are we complicated.
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The adjective “Orwellian” refers to the frightening world of George Orwell’s "1984," in which the state controls thought, and spreads misinformation, in Wikipedia's words. This term was recently applied to new trends in education in communist China as well as... Wyoming.
In Chinese universities, colleges, and lower level schools, the Chinese government plans to expand the Student Informant System (SIS), a system in which student informants report on the behavior and language of their classmates and teachers / professors. The goal, according to a CIA document, is as follows: “to ensure campus stability and to control the debate and discussion of politically sensitive issues.”
According to the document, students have had their academic records penalized and their scholarships revoked for voicing unconventional views. The informant system has led to professors being investigated for criticizing the communist government in class.
Major concerns mentioned in the document include creating a “culture of denunciation,” and the fear of being punished decreasing the quality of intellectual discussion and ultimately, learning.
The SIS system originated after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. The document says, “Government and Party officials were determined to suppress simmering resentment on campus, and identify and monitor potential future student leaders.”
In Wyoming, the activities of students and teachers will soon be monitored by a camera, as mandated by two new bills that are geared towards revamping teacher evaluations., according to Trib.com.
The first bill would mandate that teachers are evaluated every month in writing. The video tapes of classroom instruction would ensure that both teachers and administrators see what really goes on, instead of putting on a show for principal evaluation day.
The second bill requires that an instructional facilitator or seasoned teacher and parent representative view the tapes with the teacher and principal. That parent would report to the school board. This is all in hopes of giving the educator a chance to improve by watching the tapes, and ultimately, increase student achievement.
Saad Hussein, an Ethopian refugee in his late 20's, has been arrested in Chicago for sending President Obama a letter containning HIV- infected blood. The HIV-infected, mentally ill man hoped to kill or harm people near Obama, while at the same time stating that he was a great admirer of the President. The U.S. Postal Service claims this is only the second time HIV-tainted blood has been sent with the intent to harm through the mail. [via HuffPo]
Here's a great timeline from the BBC.
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