Differing Lenses

I must admit that I have always mocked people who "blog." Not because I do not think it is a great way to connect, but because I so many people who it as an avenue to rant and display a self-righteous attitude. And well, let's just say I have not trusted myself to not fall into that category. But as I continue to listen to classmates, friends, and peers debate issues within our society domestically and internationally, much concerning the media's influence on today's culture, I have decided to attempt a blog for discussion.

Being a Political Science and Gender Studies Major, my thoughts will most often be geared towards these topics, as I find my passion within politics. The subjection women across this media, is so frequent that I doubt many people even notice what really is being presented. It is my goal to bring to question some ideals within American society through looking at different examples in the media which contribute blatantly, or in many cases are concealed, and then discussing whether or not people find it threatening to a specific race, gender, class, etc. I of course will present my side, which you may interpret as very liberal. :)

When thinking of cultural studies, my mind always gears towards perspective. I can not help but to react to specifics within the media through my own lens, which has been molded from my own experiences. I realize this is the same for every person, which obviously causes differing opinions. But my question is, which I have been attempting to answer since my senior year of high school, is there a perspective or view that is more "correct" than another? When leaving God out of the calculation, I admit, I most often lean in the direction that certain perspectives on politics and issues can have a better approach than others. But when God is considered, which in my life is very important, it is hard for me to speak with authority as to what God considers the correct perspective, and in my opinion rightfully so. One of my greatest problems with Christianity is not the Christ we follow, but the people who follow him and the arrogance that often come with it.

It is my goal to ask the difficult questions and try to take the stance that may even threaten the loud voice of many Christians. Being on a Christian campus, where the conservative, right wing (though many would like to think has been rejected) still lingers and influences much of our thought on race and gender in particular, I find myself in MANY troubling, and frustrating conversations. My fear is that my thoughts and stances will be correlated as to what I believe God thinks. This is rather going to be a public view of my thought process, that I will of course always try to keep somewhat filtered!

Hillary Clinton, one of my role models, is one of the prime examples of a divided debate. Her picture and name even brings controversy. People either love her, or hate her-- and most times love rant about her.