Since its advent, television has become the predominant means in which Americans have come to learn about themselves and the issues of the day. But television has done a poor job of presenting some of the most important issues facing America, that of class and race. Gregory Mantsios was
correct when he wrote in his essay, “Class in America: Myths and Realities,” that the “institutions that shape mass culture and define the parameters of public debate have avoided class issues.” (Rereading 319) But he failed to realize that television, particularly the evening news, does deal with class and race but in ways that skew the debate rather than add clarification. The news, both local and network broadcasts, tends to perpetuate stereotypes of the underclass and present an inaccurate depiction of poverty. Their avoidance of class issues is driven by a desire to pursue high ratings and the demographics, primarily middle class or the 18 to 49 year old age group, that are the most appealing to advertisers. But, in doing so, not only does the news media help create inaccurate perceptions of class and poverty in America, it also leads the public to want political or legislative answers to problems that exacerbate rather than resolve them.
News You Can Use: How the News Media Skew Depictions of Class, Race, Poverty in America
Married and Bored: Understanding Gossip
Advice from the Opposing Views of Single-n-Lonely, Married-n-BoredIf you are married and truly bored, there is usually only one reason for it: you are in a stable marriage. Huzzah! Rejoice in the unfailing monotony of your life! Essentially you have achieved the goal of marriage, and that is to never be blindsided by anything that wasn’t planned for. A cheating spouse, an unexpected death, the loss of a job, your house catching on fire – none of that has happened, you lucky
guy! Just because you haven’t had sex in four months is no reason to fret. Your marriage is going terrific, and your wife couldn’t be happier with you (so long as you keep moving up the ladder at work). But there is one thing missing from your wife’s life, and that is drama. If your wife loves to gossip, that’s a good thing. Let me explain. As long as your wife gets excited over gossip, there is a good chance she is not having afternoon trysts with the lawn boy and his well oiled blade. Women who are in affairs are detached from gossip because they are actually living. Gossippers take joy in hearing about other people because their own personal lives are actually deceased. Imagine this situation: you obtain a rich piece of gossip about her brother-in-law and his skirt-chasing problem. Your wife says, “Well, his problems are really none of our business.” No doubt that statement would shock you like unregulated high-voltage because your wife loves gossip so much that her nipples naturally point toward People magazine wherever she goes in the supermarket. This is the rule of gossip: gossip is only exciting to bored people. People who create gossip are too busy living in their own affairs to waste time talking about rumors of other people. If your wife stops asking about that cheating brother-in-law, she is definitely cheating on you. Fans of gossip love the misery of others. Here’s a few reasons explaining your wife’s need for endless soap operas: