The 1 Year Anniversary

It is going to be an emotional weekend in St. Louis as our region marks the one year anniversary of the fatal shooting death of Michael Brown by former Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson. Events are planned throughout the weekend to honor Brown. On Sunday, August 9th, the actual shooting anniversary, there will be a moment of silence at 11:55a.m. to mark the time when the shooting happened. shift has occurred in the year since Michael Brown’s death sparked unrest in the streets of Ferguson. National conversations have arisen around issues affecting the black community in America: police brutality, economic injustice, racial inequality. Names that might have made little more than local headlines have become national stories: Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Walter Scott, Sandra Bland. I think all of these national headlines should be an indicator that our society needs to take more action to prevent these circumstances from happening again. This should appeal to all the American people because we are living in a society that is beginning to no long trust the police force- the people are supposed to be their for our protection. The whole system is becoming ironic. How long are we going to see the same pattern of events occur before we decide to make a change? Our country needs to needs to establish some type of boundary to prevent the citizens and the people whose jobs are to protect us everyday from fighting against one another. Hopefully in the near future we can see a change so we do not have to continue to see the same headlines every month when we turn on the news.

Washington DC is Sinking

Washington, D.C., where the powers that reign over the United States reside, is sinking into the ocean. Scientists predict that the land underneath the nation’s capital will drop more than 6 inches in the next 100 years, according to new research from the University of Vermont and the U.S. Geological Survey. Surprisingly though, Washington’s sinking land is an entirely independent phenomenon from the rising sea levels, which scientists have attributed to climate change in the past.  The area is going through what geologists call a “forebulge collapse,” also known as the reason for many of Washington’s foreseeable geological problems. During the last ice age, a mile-high ice sheet pushed the land under the Chesapeake Bay region up. When the ice sheet melted 20,000 years ago, the bulging land began to settle back down.  The article uses several logos appeals to education the public about geology, since many of us are ignorant when it comes to the subject of geology. I think the article does a great job at presenting the facts simply, so that everyone can understand the article. I think this should appeal to all the American people in our society. Washington D.C. is the symbolic city of our freedom. Our government works out of Washington DC, and I think this should be a reminder that things change very quickly, and we should all be proud of our country and it’s accomplishments.

Article: http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/30/us/washington-dc-sinking-irpt/index.html

What’s up with Sandra Bland’s mugshot?

In the past week, controversy has sparked over the arrest of the former Sandra Bland. It is noted that Sandra Bland was arrested for forgetting to put on her turn signal, giving attitude to the police, and then found herself in jail. The violent confrontation between the cop and Bland in the video infuriated the already angered African American activists against police brutality. The video sparks numerous emotional appeals to the audience, as some many sympathize with Bland due to her unfortunate death the day after the incident. But what sparks more controversy is the mugshot taken of Bland. In her mugshot, many believe she was killed, instead of claimed “suicide”. Bland’s mugshot has been seen all over social media, with many commenting on what they believe, and how her eyes look lifeless in the photo, indicating she was dead when the shot was taken. I believe the whole case appeals to the activists against police brutality. In the past year, incidents concerning cops and minorities have been shown across every news outlet, only continuing to anger the public even more. Hasty generalization has bee used throughout to make the police seem no longer trustworthy. I think this creates a divide between the public and those who keep protect us from the day to day basis. While I do think there is more into the Bland case then the police are letting on, I think we should continue to respect those who keep us safe as we go about our daily lives.