Unfortunately, people tend to get an "awakening" when the unthinkable happens to them. Not many people are proactive and take the initiative. There are many events that a whole generation hasn’t awakened to. It’s not one; but, two generations that need some sort of awakening. The older generation and the younger generation are the two generations that need one grand awakening from what I have seen. From what I have seen, the older generation seems to be "brainwashed" while the younger generation seems to be "apathetic." Either way, it’s pretty scary. For these reasons, it looks as if both generations are "asleep."
There are so many things that are happening in this world that needs a lot of attention to. One could say that media could be one of the parties responsible for a brainwashed older generation and an apathetic younger generation. I’m still surprised that a lot of very important things that are still going on aren’t getting enough coverage. The media tends to be paying attention to less relevant things.
I remember the Virginia Tech Shooting that was orchestrated at the hand of Cho Seung-Hui a South Korean student who obviously needed help. This was one of the biggest events in April and brought up many things that should’ve been examined. It should’ve been something that would’ve awakened the older and younger generations. This story could’ve been a major awakening if it was broadcasted for a few weeks more. Unfortunately people, let alone people in this country tend to forget things easily.
This incident brought forth the need for more social programs instead of athletics. This incident also had people talking about gun laws and gun control. Unfortunately, no politician wants to touch that topic due to wanting to save their careers.
However after two or three weeks, the Virginia Tech shooting was immediately replaced by the story of Alec Baldwin verbally abusing his daughter on a phone message. Though listening to that message was entertaining, it had no social value. I couldn’t believe that a major and tragic event such as the VT shooting was replaced by such a pointless story in the case of Alec Baldwin and his daughter.
There are so many topics in the world that should awaken just about everybody: Iraq, Myanmar’s Junta, Afghanistan, Universal Healthcare, George W. Bush Administration, Insurance Crisis, Employment, Immigration, DC Voting Rights Act, the 2008 Presidential Campaigns, Hurricane Katrina, and many other things.
However, they seemed to be overshadowed by irrelevant topics such as Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Nicole Richie. And then there is coverage of a possible lawsuit by Howard K. Stern against Rita Cosby for a book she wrote.
All of the important news looks to be overshadowed. The media tends to be at fault by not putting focus on the more important stuff. Yet at the same time, the American media tends to put the spin on things.
The most obvious way for both generations to wake up would be if all of these events and topics were to affect them in some way, shape, or form. But that’s easier said than done. Not everybody is going to be affected by the Democratic movement going on in Myanmar. The sole reasons I feel affected is because I happen to be a Buddhist and the movement was led by Buddhist monks. Myanmar is located in Southeast Asia and I happen to be Vietnamese. Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia.
The VT shooting very much affected almost everybody in some way or form. But that was swept away by the Alec Baldwin story.
Something has to happen that will affect everybody to awaken a generation. That is the number one thing it would take. But that’s probably not going to happen anytime soon.
But there are other means to awaken a generation or two. One way to awaken a generation is if people would stop listening to the people on the Fox News Channel. From what I have seen and heard, it is the most biased news channel in the world. It mainly caters to the radical right-wing agenda. I had even seen a documentary about Rupert Murdoch detailing his agenda and the Fox News Channel in which he owns.
Fox News Channel tends to play a big role in the "brainwashing" of the older generation.
Another means would be the media focusing on the more important things instead of the less relevant. Paris Hilton isn’t going to have an impact on the future of healthcare. They need to put more focus on the things that matter such as: Iraq, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Healthcare, Katrina Recovery, etc.
Today’s pop culture tends to make the younger generation more apathetic. Channels such as MTV have focused more on reality TV than it does with music. These channels need to go back to their roots. But, that’s not going to happen. MTV was great before it was picked up by Viacom. The same thing can be said for BET. In the past, they looked to be far more active in the news.
Celebrities need to speak out more. But they don’t in fear of killing their careers and losing half of their fan base. If celebrities weren’t afraid of losing their careers and would speak their own views, perhaps that could awaken a generation.
We have to do all sorts of things to wake up a generation. We cannot rely on just one means. These are just a few examples on the many things that could wake up a generation.