Tag: social media

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The U.S. economy added just 33,000 jobs in July 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s a drastic drop from June’s revised total of 194,000 jobs. For context, economists expected around 175,000 new jobs. We fell significantly short.

July’s report signals a broader slowdown in job growth. While one month doesn’t define a trend, many professionals are understandably anxious. When growth slows, layoffs often follow. Freelancers feel the squeeze. Recent grads face fewer opportunities. Hiring freezes kick in.

So what can we do in times like these?

Servant Leadership Is More Important Than Ever

In tough economic times, good leadership matters more. But not the traditional top-down kind. Now is the time for servant leadership.

Servant leaders put people first. They provide support, empathy, and stability. They coach, uplift, and guide without ego. They ask, How can I help?

And they recognize that hope is a strategic advantage.

If you’re in a position of leadership right now, consider how you can create clarity and calm for your team, your peers, or even your online community. Compassion-driven leadership is needed in this very moment.

Learn Instead of Just Earn: Why Literacy Is the Key

When jobs are scarce, learning becomes survival. But we’re not just talking about college degrees. In today’s world, we need multiple forms of literacy:

  • Digital literacy — How systems work, how content flows, how to use platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed
  • Media literacy — Understanding how information is framed and shared online
  • Platform literacy — How to navigate job boards, remote hiring, and gig platforms

The goal? Know how everything works. Learn how the systems move so you can move through them, and around them if necessary.

If You’re Out of Work: What to Focus On

1. Keep updating your portfolio. Even if you’re not currently employed, you can keep working on projects, freelance tasks, writing samples, or mock case studies. Employers want to see momentum and proof that you’re still growing. Consider a writing challenge for your blog (like what I’m doing right now) or create a collection of social media posts that drive engagement for a marketing or SEO role.

2. Stay open to freelance or contract work. Many employers are cutting full-time roles but still need help. Contract gigs can fill in financial gaps and keep your skills sharp. Yes, freelancing means buying your own health insurance. But it also means flexibility and survival. Right now, survival matters.

3. Don’t underestimate your effort. You’re not alone. Many talented people are in the same position. For example, one job I applied to a couple of weeks ago had 954 job applicants. Another one had over 1600. The U.S. has over 330 million people, and only 33,000 new jobs were added. That’s not on me or you.

4. Keep working on that small business. Staying busy is best, and while staying busy does not always mean being profitable, it does mean that there is a way to contribute to your community. And in turn, the community will support you. For those who sell goods, consider farmers’ markets. Get chronically online. Open that Etsy or Shopify. Interact with others online and watch how organic engagement draws people in.

5. Have empathy for yourself. It’s okay to be tired. It’s okay to feel stuck or stagnant. Sometimes, you find yourself meditating, but you might wonder why you’re being still when you need to be working. It’s okay. Just don’t confuse stillness with failure, because we aren’t failures. We are surviving. And if you’re trying, you’re doing more than enough.

If You Have a Job: Hold It Carefully, But Strategically

If you’re currently employed, be mindful of how you contribute. Help others where you can. Be someone who uplifts. But also: keep your options open. Update your resume, refresh your skills, and quietly prepare for what’s to come, which will probably include further drastic economic instability.

Sources:

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Exploring the Impact of Technology Access on the Educational Success of Disabled Latino Students in Community Colleges

May 10, 2024

ABSTRACT

Southern California’s Hispanic and Latino population is among the most highly enrolled in college institutions, partially due to their involvement in Hispanic-serving duties (Tagami & Reagan, 2022). However, graduating, especially when a disability is involved, is not often discussed (Tagami & Reagan, 2022). This conference proposal addresses the exceptional progress in educational disparity experienced by disabled Latino students in community colleges, with a primary focus on the profound impact of digital media. Incorporating theoretical insights from critical scholars such as Jean Baudrillard, Laurence Tamatea, Michel Foucault, Tom Shakespeare, and David Harvey, this research examines the delicate balance of access to technology, disability, ethnicity, and academic outcomes within the framework of community colleges in the contemporary postmodern era. The disabled community benefits from online educational communities through videos, language, and discussion (Narciso Jr., 2023). This study aims to explore how disabled Latino students navigate the digitally mediated educational environment, drawing on Baudrillard’s analysis of hyperreality and Harvey’s examination of globalization. Simulated environments and global reciprocity influence this era, which remains characterized by images. Understanding the benefits of this demographic in utilizing and accessing technology is crucial.

The research question of this study concerns how digital media in the classroom positively impacts the educational success of Latino students with disabilities in community colleges. Some ways include flexible classwork, online educational digital media, and finding community through discussion boards and online classes (Narciso Jr., 2023). This pivotal research question on the ubiquity of digital media seeks to explore the intersectionality of technology access, disability, ethnicity, and higher education outcomes within the context of community colleges. As researchers delve further into artificial intelligence, it is more crucial than ever to investigate the ongoing impact of technology on educational success. The research question aims to explore how access to technology can facilitate remarkable educational success for disabled Latino students, particularly in the postmodern era characterized by hyperreality, simulations, and the proliferation of digital media. By examining the impact of digital media on an online community of education, one can see the benefits for community college students. The frameworks of Jean Baudrillard’s hyperreality and David Harvey’s globalization provide a comprehensive understanding of the implications of these phenomena on the educational experiences of disabled Latino students.

There are strategies and interventions that community colleges can implement to bridge the digital divide and significantly enhance the educational success of Latino students with disabilities within the context of postmodern social, economic, and technological dynamics. If effectively implemented, these strategies can offer a brighter future for these students and improve their educational outcomes. This study will employ a qualitative methodology, focusing on small cluster groups to interview students about how online coursework has changed their perception of schooling since the advent of online education. The study could include an end-of-year survey, in addition to interviews, to understand how the online course benefited the students. Other methods include mixed methods, utilizing an instrument to understand the GPA of students who enroll in online classes, primarily using digital media to teach their students.

The digital divide uniquely manifests among disabled Latino students in community colleges. They harbor specific upsides in accessing and utilizing technology for educational purposes. Jean Baudrillard’s theories of simulacra and simulations apply to the digital experiences of disabled Latino students, influencing their engagement with academic content and digital media. Hyperreality and hyperrealism refer to Baudrillard’s concept of living in a technological simulation, unlike nature (Baudrillard, 1994). With so much hyperreality and hyperrealism existing in our modern world, it is clear that there is a crisis of representation where traditional forms of knowledge, authority, and truth remain in question, and that crisis manifests itself according to Harvey in various domains, such as art, literature, and politics (2008). However, through the crisis, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. An analysis of interviews will reveal the conditions of postmodernity, as described by David Harvey (2008), that influence the educational experiences and opportunities available to disabled Latino students in community colleges, particularly in terms of globalization, consumerism, and cultural fragmentation. Community colleges bypass the problems of postmodernity and utilize them to their advantage, pushing forward certificate completion and two-year degree programs at the student’s pace (Tagami & Reagan, 2022; Narciso Jr., 2023).

There are two theoretical concepts that Baudrillard and Foucault have based on social truths, representing state-sanctioned knowledge and individually, self-selected valued knowledge (Foucault, 1972, 1981; Baudrillard, 1994). Some studies raise one fundamental question, such as Tamatea’s compulsory coding and education (2019). The question to consider in this study is whether we are becoming more like machines or machines are becoming more like humans. With the rise of artificial intelligence and technological advances in education and the media, Baudrillard wrote that the vast influence of digital competency was tangible (1994). However, the study aims to challenge the downsides Baudrillard felt were probable in his analysis of simulacra. Tamatea’s ‘yes theory’ points towards technological success in early schooling through coding, a way of simulation by machine (2019). Community college success remains significant to specific theories that consider this framework. The research question and its subsequent sub-genres aim to make a unique contribution to the broader discourse on educational equity, access to technology, and social justice. By drawing insights from Baudrillard and Harvey, we aim to comprehend the complexities of contemporary digital media proliferation, particularly in the form of online communities, highlighting the urgency of the issue and the necessity for ongoing action. Furthermore, it aims to highlight the strategies and interventions employed by these institutions to continue bridging the digital divide and promoting educational equity.

Introduction

This research paper aims to shed light on the composite directions at play, contributing to the discourse on inclusive education, informing policy and practice to foster digital inclusivity, and gathering data on educational outcomes for disabled Latino students in community colleges. There is an intricate web of individual and environmental factors in the lives of disabled people, along with marginalized groups. When one adds more of a marginalized community to that fact, it becomes so much more of a topic to discuss, and social models for disabilities are often separate (Shakespeare, 2010). Minorities’ issues cannot undergo naivety, however. It creates a slightly different topic because it is a universal experience shared by all humanity. The world as it is currently known is defined by what Jean Baudrillard calls “Simulacra and Simulation.” While Baudrillard considered hyperrealism a detriment to society and globalization, there are strengths in digital educational communities (1994). The way education looks today is shaped by technology, moving beyond technological convergence and addressing the digital divide. Unfortunately, marginalized communities will be the most affected by this digital divide and will likely find the most success in technological use as a result. Simulacra is especially important in combating the digital divide and promoting educational success among community college students. Understanding how the digital community helps students is one of the main questions to ask during a qualitative study.

Literature Review

The proposed qualitative study challenges the concepts of meaning and truth, making it clear that individuals must possess the literacy necessary to see through traditional notions of meaning and truth. In a world dominated by simulacra, meaning becomes arbitrary, and truth becomes relative. However, communities can come together to determine what is accurate, truthful, and not. David Harvey’s “Condition of Postmodernity” focuses on cultural fragmentation and how traditional structures and identities are stabilized (2008). Cultural fragmentation refers to the combination of multiple cultures rather than maintaining many separate versions, which often occurs in digital communities. Various aspects of society are reflected through culture, economics, and politics, indicating instability and fluidity behind identities and their meanings, which is further exacerbated by the proliferation of media, consumer culture, and globalization. Hispanic and Latino students in many counties across California make up most enrolled students completing their academic careers (Tagami & Regan, 2022). However, many do that part-time through a community college (Johnson, 2016). When researchers add the disabled community, it becomes apparent that this is even harder to achieve, especially when disabled people are not a community that defines itself through culture, gender, or race. Theoretically, individuals in college or community college may have a different viewpoint and success rates due to the use of hyperrealism and its impact on the conditions of postmodernity’s cultural fragmentation and globalization. In Baudrillard’s “Simulacra and Simulation,” it is clear that there are four orders of simulation, defined by hyperreality. The death of the real and simulacra serves as a control mechanism, contributing to the critique of postmodern society (1994). 

Theoretical Framework and Methodology

According to Tom Shakespeare, people with disabilities come from an oppressed viewpoint. A social model is proof of that, and it is logically impossible for a qualitative researcher to find disabled people who are not facing oppression, meaning that all marginalized communities have the disabled community within them, meaning that they are within and without accommodations universally because all disabilities are different (Shakespeare, 2010). Therefore, while a college can cater to the Hispanic community, they are not going to necessarily cater to the disabled community, creating a world that has a lack of free space. Only “barrier-free enclaves are possible,” which community college creates through the ease of digital courses. Researchers indicate that most accommodations occur at the community college level (Narciso Jr., 2023). This universal experience of humanity is shaped by the role of globalization in postmodernity. As Harvey argues, capitalism and its endless expansion and accumulation drive spatial and temporal restructuring processes that underpin the postmodern condition (2008). The restructuring process is evident through the expansion of the World Wide Web and the ability to connect with others who are not physically nearby. When one ties this in with Baudrillard’s concepts and framework behind hyperreality, it becomes clear that the significance of urbanization and the built environment helps individuals understand postmodernity and how there are focal points for the concentration of capital, culture, and power (Harvey, 2008; Baudrillard, 1995). How we view those things through digital media is significant for qualitative discussion. Capital culture and power find themselves through the digital connection of others and the sharing of capital experiences.

Conclusion

Therefore, the emergence and development of AI have accelerated the Age of Reason through the digital community. With the rise of online courses, educational digital media, including video content, online meetings, and discussions, are beneficial for student success at the community college level. As the work is decades old, being able to relate simulacra (simulation) to digital abstraction was an unintended beneficial consequence for individuals and society (Baudrillard, 1994). Digitalization’s existential status unknowingly brought educational ubiquity to the table. Ultimately, hyperrealism influences what people see and know, as well as how nature is perceived versus what the media wants us to see. However, it also creates an even digital playing field, where students can be part of a community while living their personal lives outside of school. Students should be able to distinguish between what it means to be digitally literate and what it does not. Baudrillard relates to David Harvey’s study of the “Condition of Postmodernity” because Harvey states there has been a change in cultural and political-economic practices since 1972 (Harvey, 2008; Baudrillard, 1994).

Furthermore, there are differences in communication, as well as the complexity and nuances of the industries of interest and the cultures. Consider a digital Plato‘s Cave, where reality is discernible through a digital shadow; therefore, Baudrillard notes, “Why speak when we can communicate” (1995). Their place in the simulacra brought them in contact with modernist theories and narratives. The success of community college students remains enhanced through communication technology.  

References

Baudrillard, J. (1994). Simulacra and Simulation. Ann Arbor. University of Michigan Press.

Baudrillard, J. (1995). Simulacra and simulation. In Body, in theory: Histories of cultural materialism. University of Michigan Press.

Foucault, M. (1972). The archaeology of knowledge and the discourse on language. Translated by Alan Sheridan Smith. New York: Pantheon Books.

Foucault, M. (1981). The order of discourse. In R. Young (Ed.), Untying the text: A post-structuralist reader (pp. 48–78). Boston: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

Harvey, D. (2008). The Condition of Postmodernity. In S. Sidema, & J. Alexander, The New Social Theory Reader (pp. 235–242). New York: Routledge.

Johnson, J. (2018, February 26). Accessibility and the California Community Colleges Online Education Initiative – Lessons learned. Accessing Higher Ground. https://accessinghigherground.org/accessibility-and-the-california-community-colleges-online-education-initiative-lessons-learned/ 

​​Narciso, F. E. (2023, May). Is online course-taking helping or hindering students with disabilities in U.S. community colleges? https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2320&context=etd 

Shakespeare, T. (2010). “The Social Model of Disability.” The Disability Studies Reader. Ed. Lennard J. Davis. New York: Routledge. 266–73. Print. (Pre-print copy.)

Tagami, M., & Reagan, M. (2022, November 17). Are California’s Hispanic-serving institutions living up to their name? CalMatters. https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/college-beat/2022/11/hispanic-serving-institutions-california/ Tamatea, L. (2019). Compulsory coding in education: liberal-humanism, Baudrillard and the ‘problem’ of abstraction. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, pp. 1–29.

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April 6, 2024

Introduction

According to the Global Risk Report for 2022, released by the World Economic Forum, the first paragraph notes that the last 18 months have been marked by a cycle of rapid digitalization across industries. Although the climate crisis and debt crisis were the most pressing concerns in the survey, it is clear that other issues, both within and outside the office, will also exacerbate over time. Conservative school boards have become platforms for far-right agendas that undermine the interests of public education, students, parents, and administrators (Henrikson, 2023; Lambert, 2022). While expected to remain nonpartisan, school boards are alarmingly ideologically driven (Henrikson, 2023; Anderson, 2024). There needs to be more direction and accountability regarding values and ethics, highlighting the importance of compliance, as it enables informed decisions. The public’s voice matters the most for the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) nonprofit Make Us Visible California.

“It [ethical leadership in education issues] proves how diverse California’s socio-political geography is, which MUV CA must contend against. A longer-term strategy for MUV CA will involve getting parents, teachers, and students involved in school boards.” Charles Joesph Sato Montesa, the director of MUV CA, stated. “We are trying to understand what we are dealing with here” (Montesa, March 4, 2024).

Far-right figures have utilized school boards as a vehicle for directing public education, affecting students, parents, and administrators in ways that are detrimental to all parties involved (Henrikson, 2023; Lambert, 2022). An ethical leader must adhere to the principles recognized by the majority as “sound foundations for the common good” (Kim et al., 2022). In Southern California, especially, far-right vitriol has also trickled down into school boards across the state. 

Across the state, school districts operate independently, allowing for different curricula to be taught (Montesa, March 4, 2024). According to Kok et al., aspects of the social responsibility framework require organizations to assess their social responsibility and public interest within their confines (Kok et al., 2001). “Working conditions, diversity and inclusion, organizational structure, management style, communication, transparency, education, and ethics awareness are all vital components of that framework” (Kok et al., 2001). However, these changes must be initiated locally by grassroots organizing. Grassroots organizations are the only way parents and advocates can help educators teach their children by influencing school boards.  Accountability must occur for the organizations that allow such hatred to creep into school boards and for the practices of book banning, forced outings of LGBTQ+ students, resistance strategies against trans rights in schools, and the elite manipulating school boards for their organizations to keep the working class under their control. To reduce the influence of right-wing ideology, we must resist the resistance that often goes unaddressed. 

Summary of Ethical Issues

There have been few cases of overrun school boards dealing with government agencies (Henrikson, 2023; Anderson, 2024), despite the requirement that government agencies be nonpartisan. To follow these values and ethics, discussing compliance is essential. Values and ethics depend on one another; without them, there is no ethics or compliance. 

According to photojournalist Kelly Stuart, it is damaging to show people how none of the school board’s current leadership is from “organic mamas; it is elites and people with tons of money trying to destroy the public school system” (Stuart, April 3, 2024). 

Multiple school districts face the same far-right agitators traveling to meetings and exerting their influence on malleable parents to convey their organization’s message in all forms. Some of the top influences include Erik Prince, Betsy DeVos, Ginny Thomas, and Justice Clarence Thomas (Stuart, April 3, 2024). When forced outing policies came to light in a couple of Southern California School Districts, the Rainbow Youth Coalition and lgbtq crisis Hotline saw a 600% rise in phone calls regarding feeling suicidal.

  Stuart calls the issues she reports on school boards a “war of chaos” (Stuart, April 3, 2024).  She never planned to have so much involvement as a photographer (Stuart, April 3, 2024). However, there is no agreement to disagree with these types of agitators, which started to emerge during the anti-vax movement of the COVID-19 pandemic (Stuart, April 3, 2024). They will not speak to the media unless they deem the reporter on their side (Stuart, April 3, 2024). “And if you are not, you are risking your life to report on them. It is scary. Some of these elite people can kill [you] and make [you] disappear,” she said (Stuart, April 3, 2024). 

Elements such as wealthy and influential people pulling the strings are why a change in ethics can no longer come from the top; change must start from the bottom (locally) and work its way up from there. According to Stuart, suicides did happen once these outing policies came into effect. Parents had to leave the districts where they lived, and some kids became homeless (Stuart, April 3, 2024). She mentioned that those policies have a tangible impact, although it is hard to put a face to the conflict since they are confidential crisis hotlines. It often takes parents from different school districts to compare notes and consistently attend these meetings to identify the agitators creating so much chaos within their districts for their children. While Governor Gavin Newsom has made an effort to require media literacy in the classroom (Carillo, 2023; Dirks, 2024), these policies are not being effectively implemented in the California Bible Belt. It is up to public education advocates and parents to do the job.

“The most important thing to do is to track the pattern and then show up [to the local council and school board meetings], and you know, be willing to follow them to the other places they are going. Call them out and tell them that they are not organic. Tell them they are continuing the AstroTurf grouping,” said Stuart (Stuart, April 3, 2024).

Australia has a formal system to promote compliance with its values statement and code of conduct (Kernaghan, 2003). The Public Service Act requires reporting to parliament on APS values and code compliance (Kernaghan, 2003). Agencies must have procedures in place to determine code breaches and impose sanctions, such as employment termination, salary reduction, and reassignment of duties (Kernaghan, 2003). 

These sanctions are not practiced when operating with school boards (Shah et al., 2022). Despite its underutilization, termination of employment is used chiefly as a nonpartisan measure to address values applicable only to those in significant leadership positions in the educational system (Shah et al., 2032). There needs to be a leadership overhaul that integrates core values into public service values (Mahoney et al., 2022). In Southern California, right-wing activism is having a significant impact on school boards with instances of censorship, book banning, racism, and violence against educators and activists. Stuart is one of many who emphasize the urgent need for scientific publication and long-term documentation of these developments, highlighting the role of organizations like the Council for National Policy and Turning Point USA in negatively impacting education (Stuart, April 3, 2024). It is important to discuss strategies with other parents for countering an AstroTurf group’s efforts to undermine the transgender community, including tracking patterns connecting with different communities and exposing their true intentions. They emphasize the importance of small group organizing and coordinating efforts with other school districts to share information and create a united front. 

Montesa believes it is essential (2024) to adopt a framework adaptable to all independent school boards. He said that meeting people where they already are is the best way to start addressing issues, especially those related to public education disparities (Montesa, March 4, 2024). Montesa finds that progress is held by “dynamics that happen amongst all marginalized communities, especially communities of color” (2024). “Where we can start to acknowledge our shared values is what brings communities together” (Montesa, March 4, 2024). 

“When we discuss visiting visibility, we want to close gaps. The issue is humanitarian, and we talk about stopping hate at the end of the day,” Montesa said. The key is to build bridges and understanding. We are on our way to doing that. In addition, marginalized groups often do not get their voices heard in schools” (Montesa, March 4, 2022).

Dimensions of Media Literacy in Ethics

Disseminating information to the public is at the heart of educational values. Believing in upholding the highest standards of public service is essential; it is the backbone of any honest and trustworthy society. Without it, no media literacy is available to students and their parents. This leads to a downtick in knowledge regarding many subjects prominent in post-high school years, especially on social media. One must reinforce the values that define us and strive to create an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued (Wang et al., 2017). Informing public servants of their responsibilities and expectations, and fostering greater bipartisan support for shared objectives, can help them achieve their goals more meaningfully. One must prioritize avoiding partisan conflict, as it can overshadow more significant issues at hand (Kernaghan, 2003, p. 717). It is essential to engage in constructive dialogues that are respectful and focused on finding common ground rather than resorting to divisive and polarizing rhetoric. This approach can lead to more productive and meaningful discussions, helping us arrive at mutually beneficial solutions. (Kernaghan, 2003, p. 717). 

Regarding corporate social responsibility and environmental management, Alexander Dahlsrud considers multiple dimensions, such as the ecological dimension, the socio-economic stakeholder, and the voluntary dimension. The most important topics are social, economic, and voluntary. It is also important to note that, according to Khoury et al. (1999), corporate social responsibility refers to the corporation’s overall relationship with its stakeholders. These relationships include “employees, competitors, customers, owners, government suppliers, investors, and communities.” Social responsibility involves investment, community outreach, employee creation, employment relations, financial performance, and environmental stewardship (Khoury et al., 1999).  

Unfortunately, school board operations often disregard codes of conduct that impact media literacy education (Shah et al., 2023). In the education system, termination is typically a last resort, bypassing partisanship and focusing solely on values relevant to leadership roles (Shah et al., 2023). There is a need for a leadership paradigm shift that prioritizes core values aligned with public service principles (Mahoney et al., 2022).

Ways to Combat Right-Wing Extremism in Education

Moreover, there is a pressing need for comprehensive ethics training programs tailored specifically for school board members. These programs demonstrate the importance of making ethically informed decisions, resolving conflicts, and upholding the values of inclusivity and diversity within educational institutions. By equipping board members with the necessary skills and knowledge, they can navigate complex issues with integrity and fairness. Regarding the improvement of public education, Montesa finds that it takes more than one answer to find a valuable solution (March 4, 2024). 

“A lot has to do with attracting more diverse and qualified individuals to the school. It has to start from within our communities and begin with education” (Montesa, March 4, 2024).

Taking proactive steps to enact positive change within conservative school boards is necessary to address their ethical challenges. Firstly, enhanced oversight mechanisms should ensure that school board members uphold impartiality and prioritize the interests of all stakeholders. Protecting these interests could involve establishing independent review committees composed of diverse community representatives to monitor board decisions and hold members accountable for any deviations from ethical standards. 

It is crucial to select definitions that retain the social aspect and voluntariness. According to Van Marrewijk (2003), for a CSR strategy to be successful, the contacts should be tailored to each business. As a result, when discussing education, all dimensions must be addressed to ensure effective engagement with stakeholders, and the definition must apply to a variety of contexts, specifically within the realm of education. The education system is not a corporation, but as big as one. Therefore, it is vital to use harmony with the definitions and analyze them to find a definition that fits precisely for education and its social construct. 

Stakeholders and Corporate Social Responsibility Connection

Therefore, the social, environmental, and economic impacts are the biggest concern for stakeholders, especially considering that education is a government institution. The optimal approach to corporate social responsibility involves proactively identifying and addressing social issues before they escalate and taking responsibility for any actions that impact individuals, communities, or the environment. The Commission of European Communities outlined a comprehensive definition in 2001, describing it as a “voluntary integration of social and environmental concerns into a company’s operations and stakeholder interactions.” This multifaceted approach encompasses a range of relevant subtopics. According to the Business for Social Responsibility in 2000, corporate social responsibility involves “ethical values, compliance with legal requirements, and respect for people, communities, and the environment, contributing to sustainable business success” (IBLF, 2003; The Business of Social Responsibility, 2000). 

Responsibility and Values Regarding Ethics in Education

Kernaghan (2003) emphasized the importance of leadership in integrating the correct values into public service. Senior public servants should inspire a shared vision and lead by example. In contrast, leadership based on values and ethics is essential at senior levels (Kernaghan, 2003). Values should be encouraged at all levels of an organization with dispersed leadership roles to integrate public service and core values (Kernaghan, 2003). Learning points such as values, ethics, and principles, clarifying and clearing the clutter, building a firm foundation, and shining core values remain a part of the discussion (Kernaghan, 2003). Furthermore, how does one get compliance amongst those involved? 

Conclusion

In conclusion, parents and organizations are unethical in creating and targeting school boards to influence LGBTQ+ issues through organizations such as the Council for National Policy. These right-wing groups have expanded their efforts to manipulate school board meetings and controversies; however, parents resist these movements. Then, those groups, the right-wing groups, also resist the positive movements against them. Currently, parents in California who are resisting the anti-trans movement are sharing strategies for countering intimidation and misinformation. Some notable school districts include Glendale, Chino, Fontana, Murrieta, and Temecula (Castle, 2023; Carillo, 2023). Christy Hurst, a Los Angeles-based school administrator in Southern California, notes a 600% increase in calls to a crisis hotline for LGBTQ+ youth due to recent policies (Hurst, April 3, 2024). There is also an anonymous woman who maps connections between far-right groups and individuals who face daily death threats. Stuart, a photojournalist and mother in Los Angeles, consistently faces backlash and threats for reporting on anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric (Stuart, April 3, 2024). Activists in Temecula, including Jen Reeves, have been facing severe harassment and vandalism due to their advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights (Reeves, April 3, 2024). Both Montesa and Stuart (2024) mentioned the importance that digital platforming and social media have in outing the ethical fallout created by the lack of media literacy in public education, which is causing a rise in violence against marginalized groups and those who speak for them (Montesa, March 4, 2024; Stuart, April 3, 2024).

“How else will you reach and grow an aggressive movement, if not word of mouth and social media? It is the new word of mouth, right? It is like how this is where people are, and I have seen so many people, but this is how you raise engagement across younger generations,” said Montesa (Montesa, March 4, 2024).

Therefore, corporate social responsibility can aid social-emotional learning by fostering empathy and caring for others, a teaching tool that can be incorporated into various curricula and local education policies. It is essential to consider this as education programs play a crucial role in the movement towards involving and evolving children. Promoting accountability and transparency within school boards requires greater community engagement and dialogue. Forums and town hall meetings serve as regular feedback mechanisms, enabling community members to voice their concerns, provide input on key decisions, and hold board members accountable for their actions. 

“Too few people are making the decisions, and often, these people should not be making these decisions. We focus so much on pedigree and an [broken] education system that naturally gravitates to our primary schools. That is not right.” Montesa said (March 4, 2024). “I want to see a school system that the students, teachers, and parents lead” (Montesa, March 4, 2024).

Furthermore, revisiting the process of selecting school board candidates could also lead to positive outcomes. Utilizing social media is necessary to further community engagement among Generation Z and older generations due to literacy differences (Hassoun et al., 2023; Hyman, 2021).

“Social media is compelling. [I] took a photo of this Glendale school board candidate named Jordan Henry, who was at a huge rally and standing next to a bunch of Proud Boys (white nationalists). That photo tanks him. It showed him with, like, [fascist] people in masks…it made him look bad,” said Stuart. “And that photo was everywhere; everybody took it and put it everywhere…he lost the race badly. So, the most important thing for parents to do for people who are resisting or allies is to watch the patterns or the pattern” (Stuart, April 3, 2024).

Implementing transparent and merit-based selection criteria and robust vetting procedures can help ensure that individuals with a genuine commitment to public education and ethical leadership are elected to serve on the board, as administration leaders, and as educators (Thompson, 2016; Wang et al., 2017). Overall, the emotional and social behavioral impacts of conservative school boards can create barriers to students’ holistic development, perpetuate inequalities, foster less inclusive environments, and provide fewer examples of media and health literacy, while also being supportive of diverse identities and experiences (Papp-Zipernovszky et al., 2021). Addressing the impacts of far-right board members requires promoting equity, empathy, and respect for all members of the school community (Anderson, 2024; Henrikson, 2023).

References

Anderson, J. (2024, February 29). The movement is making changes in public schools. Harvard Graduate School of Education. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/edcast/24/02/movements-making-change-public-schools 

Carrillo, S. (2023, November 24). California joins a growing movement to teach media literacy in schools. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/11/24/1215152769/california-joins-a-growing-movement-to-teach-media-literacy-in-schoolsLinks to an external site.

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Photos Courtesy of Mana.Alaksa on Instagram, 2023.

Transformational leadership characterizes itself through ethical behavior that empowers diverse communities nationwide. It is something one would expect to innovate over time, especially within the cultural diaspora. Applying authentic leadership and a transformative nature encompasses nonprofit organizations that do not seek financial gain to achieve their goals, complete their projects, and deal with other situations. Integrating ethical leadership, morality, and authenticity can help communities grow (Bauch, 2006). When using the concept for the goals set forth, complexities become understanding to others. According to Northouse’s book on Leadership Theories (2022), “[conceptualizing] is the capacity that gives leaders the power to analyze a multitude of problems and solve them without any creative sacrifices in the process” (p. 261). Shayne Nuesca, M.S., is the subject of the following paper. A recent Syracuse University alumni, Shayne Nuesca, is a Content Strategist and one creator of the “Mana.Alaska” and “SPRHDRS” media collectives. Nuesca’s projects, such as “Mana, The History We Inherit,” are the first collection from the collective, bringing together past and present experiences of those with Filipino culture, particularly in Alaska. While Filipinos have settled in Alaska for some time, many of their stories are untold. As a natural storyteller, Nuesca found like-minded individuals to work as a team to tell stories through various mixed methods of oral stories, art, and photojournalism. This project started from the ground up in the past year and found success through communication and cultural community building. The goal was to target the Filipino diaspora in the Alaskan community and manage to reach other urban centers across the nation. It is excellent to learn from someone such as this regarding educational outreach in multiple literacy forms. Some characteristics of a leader, like Nuesca, are someone who passes down knowledge to others (Wang, 2016), including a “commitment to shared goals and being a visionary that takes the program to new heights; emotional intelligence, such as empathy and expert authority in teaching, also play a role in closing theoretical gaps in organizational practice” (Wang, 2016, p. 82). Like research skills, digital skills play one of the most vital roles in connecting to diverse audiences online in a meaningful capacity. This paper explores the topics of authenticity, ethics, and the connection to organizational culture in education. Nuesca’s framework, according to Northouse (2022), aligns with authentic leadership, involving servant, pragmatic, and theoretical approaches.

Leadership and Strategic Challenges of the Interview Situation

Much of it was on the groundwork when supplemented with digital platforms. It is clear from considering both Burns’s perspective on leadership roles and higher education perspective that ethical leadership embeds itself in the morality of a leader that impacts a follower; therefore, more work is necessary in terms of creating a leadership theory that passes down critical thinking to other incoming leaders (Northouse, 2022, p. 430; Bacon & Byfield, 2018; Burns, 1978). Due to systemic discrimination, hyper-urban and rural areas remain disconnected from other geographic locations (Carbajal, 2018). Authors found that many technological issues relate to the ability to access stable data for extended periods (Greene & Murphy, 2021). Therefore, innovators like Nuesca continue to innovate ways to bypass obstacles in front of her vision for creating a cultural community beyond borders. According to Northouse (2022), transformative and adaptive leadership align directly with diversity, equity, and inclusion, necessities within most structural systems. Although DEI is still a rapidly developing subject, it is necessary to create profound changes in a highly patriarchal and transactional culture that lacks the soft skills, compassion, and empathy to lead others through meaningful teamwork building.

“I think I got to a point where to be completely candid, I just got tired of working for people. In a way, it came to a point where it was like, what type of legacy does one want to leave behind?” Nuesca said in a virtual Zoom interview (2023). As someone whose resume includes the Alaskan state government and, most recently, an NPR news affiliate, she says that what primarily drives her is the ability to leave something behind in a “meaningful way, in a valuable way for my community” (S. Nuesca, Nov. 10, 2023). Open discourse in a particular field can make a huge difference, especially in communication. Communication is rooted in community; empathy and compassion for humanity go hand in hand with a humble, authentic leadership style. It is clear that organizational culture sets standards for behavior in employees that determine their leadership behavior; thus, a relationship between “authenticity, morality, and organizational cultures aligns accordingly” (Schein, 1985). Northouse found that authentic leadership differentiates into broader aspects of observation. One is called a pragmatic approach; the other is called a theoretic approach (2022). Nuesca kept both approaches in mind as she maneuvered a new field while using her journalism and leadership skills to create a collective free of toxic positivity.  

Assessment of Organizational and Strategic Dynamics of the Situation

Because of the fast-paced changes in almost every industry, many leaders and business owners had to pivot to continue making a positive community impact, regardless of ways of communication. What other leadership factors may be necessary to consider now for effective management? Like all the other news organizations she worked with over the past few years, that is like understanding user habits about Alaska newsreaders. There is a level of disinformation that we have to sift through. When misinformation or disinformation pops up, it spreads rapidly, and one must correct it quickly. However, it takes a lot of research, outreach, and understanding of user behaviors to be an exceptional leader. Empirical studies have shown that when educators matched servant leadership with followers who desired it, this type of leadership positively impacted performance and organizational citizenship behavior (Otero-Neira et al., 2016; Ozyilmaz & Cicek, 2015). An essential leadership and followership challenge to address is equity in accessibility. Digital literacy in leadership is far more prominent as a challenging skill rather than a soft skill. This essay aims to present a concise overview of the significant aspects of the interview on leadership conducted and to rely on critical thinking to verify the data against other research. Moral, relational transparency is all about openness to sharing one’s authentic self, actual thoughts and feelings, and internalized moral perspective (Northouse, 2022; Azanza et al., 2013). Furthermore, according to (Northouse, 2022), letting go of characteristics such as egoism, utilitarianism, and more is essential. It is imperative not to have a selfish mindset when taking on roles that pass down skills one has learned to others (Northouse, 2022, p. 427).

Specific Leadership-Focused Recommendations and Approaches

Consider the scenario below from a step-by-step management approach, such as a strategic “long-term” permanent solution versus a “resolution of immediacy.” Both servant and authentic leadership drive the influence of organizational culture. The relationship between flexible cultures and authenticity, honesty, and transparency relates to employees at an internal level that should be stimulating (Azanza, G., 2013). With the rise of new companies and their subsequent growth, it is evident that management will always be needed. Those who maintain a business find themselves in higher education first. Therefore, one should always want the right people in management, as the best leaders have the most productive followers who also turn into influential leaders. It cannot just be anybody, especially when passing lifelong knowledge to new generations. Strong managers possess significant critical thinking skills, and one of the best leadership theories to derive from is servant, authentic, and ethical leadership. Mumford’s (2000) competency criteria for a leader include skills essential for a positive workplace to sustain itself successfully.  There is more than one list of what translates to being a strong, competent leader (Mumford et al., 2000). That is why Nuesca (2023) focuses on audience engagement and community leadership as one concept. Conceptualizing in management refers to the servant leader’s thorough understanding of the organization’s purposes, complexities, and mission. “This capacity allows servant leaders to think through multifaceted problems, know if something is wrong, and address problems creatively per the organization’s overall goals” (Northouse, 2022, p. 261). Nuesca (2023) cites consistent, organic growth with remote communities in Alaska, which can have validity for other states needing digital and media literacy. Nuesca (2023) knows there is a way that you can communicate with people so that they do not feel shut down or isolated in those situations. 

“And I think the nice thing about Mana and SPRHDRS is that they are like a collective because they are a group of us. Thus, being more open to people’s ideas provides the space for that because it is a group working toward one thing. Thus, it was in a better space to kind of foster that.” Furthermore, it was unlike any time she spent as a follower in an organization. Nuesca’s success in community engagement and outreach is detailed, showcasing the strategic use of digital platforms and organic campaigns to expand the collective’s reach. Trust, interdependence, genuineness, empathy, risk, and success in leadership behavior are emphasized.

“Team-wise, it [Mana] started with three, and then we expanded to about 15. Furthermore, that is, on the content and events side of things. We had zero stories this time last year. Then we expanded that to about 30. Then, 17 made it to the museum. We had no expectations for our launch event. We thought that it would just be like us and maybe 50 people. We had 50 chairs, right? We have 50 chairs in that atrium, and 1500 people came,” Nuesca cited her first museum curation with the state as a success of servitude in leadership (2023). “So I think we could only get a sense of our reach, just like a small sense of our reach on digital. We had worked on some digital, like organic campaigns on Instagram, and Facebook and all of that” (S. Nuesca, 2023). Behavior associated with trust, interdependence, genuineness, empathy, risk, and success will lead to more beneficial and productive results. Being an effective leader requires knowing how to get things done. The collective gained unanimous support from the Filipino American National Historical Society, Alaska Chapter.

Executive Summation of Key Leadership and Related Factors

While their following on Instagram is modest, it is clear that only some things are about one’s number of followers. It takes a strong team with a strategic leader who knows what obstacles are ahead and how to solve them. For significant societal displacement impacting many communities, building a community is essential. “I think we only had 300 followers on Instagram before that weekend. And then our Facebook is laughable. The beginning was laughable. There were about 50 people who were interested in our content, but it ended up being that the word got out through the community. Also, folks are sharing our stuff without asking, so we did not account for that,” says Nuesca. Northouse (2022) allows followers to identify with something greater than they value. Followers became effective at accomplishing their jobs and fulfilling their job descriptions. “And I was adamant that we ended up on there, no matter where we were in the paper. That is another example of seeing things through and contributing to the common goal. And that was to get as many people as possible at the museum, whether 50 or 100 or 1500,” Nuesca said. “So I think supplementally, the digital stuff was just that, supplemental to our outreach. However, we used it to inform our decisions, like how we would approach folks, where we would post up, and what events we would do to promote the exhibit. So it was not like, yeah, it was not all for naught,” says Nuesca. “I had put out a press release. Two people replied, but another email went to the managing editor, and they finally listened. We sent this press release two weeks ago, but here is why the public would miss out if this does not get news coverage” (S. Nuesca, Nov. 10, 2023).

Conclusion

Servant leadership also affects the way organizational teams function. Furthermore, digital and online literacy are essential for leaders of the 21st century. Different leadership theories, such as servant leadership, require an ethical response, authenticity, transparency, and an open mind adaptable to daily challenges (Northouse, 2022). Nuesca cites word of mouth through the Filipino community and persistence that landed her collective a front page in the state newspaper. “I tend to be like a driver regarding leadership style. One needs to see things through. We [the collective] wanted it to be in the Anchorage Daily News because that is the paper of record for the state,” Nuesca said. Besides serving, Greenleaf (1970) states that a servant leader also has a social responsibility to care for the marginalized. According to Northouse (2022), transformative and adaptive leadership align directly with diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is necessary within the educational system. “We do not see ourselves as having one person in charge or one leader. So, it is a collective, which speaks to just cultural values like Filipino cultural values, as everything has to be done with a collective approach to the community goals. So that has driven us [Mana] the most,” Nuesca said. “Somebody flew up from California just to see this exhibit in the hallway in some museum in Anchorage, Alaska. This fact is a testament to just our team.” In becoming a servant leader, a leader uses less institutional power and control while shifting authority to those following the leadership (Graham, 1991).

In Mana, The History We Inherit, members of the collective share their past and current experiences with Filipino culture, particularly in Alaska. Despite Filipinos’ long presence in Alaska, many of their stories are untold. Nuesca brought together like-minded individuals to tell stories through oral stories, art, and photojournalism. Communication and community building started from scratch last year and were crucial to this project’s success. Despite their modest number of followers on Instagram, it is clear that only some things are about numbers. Inheriting stories in real-time to bring permanence to them through various art mediums is vital for Filipino communities as their elders are highly regarded for their learned knowledge over generations. In summary, servant leadership and community building interconnect in the context of cultural growth. By prioritizing service, empathy, and the development of individuals, servant leaders contribute to creating a connected web of a positive and inclusive community within an organization, fostering cultural growth and sustainability.

References

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Bacon, H. R., & Byfield, L. (2018). Theorizing Social Justice: Funds of Knowledge as Praxis. https://core.ac.uk/download/232775490.pdf

Bauch, P. (2006). “Reflective, Ethical, and Moral Constructs in Educational Leadership Preparation: Effects on Graduates’ Practices.” Journal of Educational Administration 44 (5): 487.

Beauchamp, T. L., & Bowie, N. E. (1988, January 1). Ethical theory and business by Tom L. Beauchamp. Open Library. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2395733M/Ethical_theory_and_business 

Berkovich, I. (2014). “A Socio-Ecological Framework of Social Justice Leadership in Education.” Journal of Educational Administration 52 (3): 282.

Carbajal, Jose (2018). “Patriarchal Culture’s Influence on Women’s Leadership Ascendancy,” The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 1. Available at: https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/jfec/vol2/iss1/1

Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper and Row. 

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Gentry, H. (2016). A Structure for Utilizing Multicultural Principles to Strengthen the Servant Leadership Approach. https://core.ac.uk/download/235396879.pdf

Graham, J. W. (1991). Servant leadership in organizations: Inspirational and moral.

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Ljungholm, D. (2016). Effective Servant Leadership Behavior In Organizations. Linguistic and Philosophical Investigations, 15(), 239-245.

Mumford, M. D., Zaccaro, S. J., Harding, F. D., Jacobs, T. O., & Fleishman, E. A. (2000). Leadership skills for a changing world: Solving complex social problems. The Leadership Quarterly, 11(1), 11–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1048-9843(99)00041-7

Northouse, P. G. (2022). Leadership: Theory and Practice (9th Edition). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US). https://reader2.yuzu.com/books/9781071834473

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Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

RokuTV owners might want to know about this deal ahead of Black Friday. The newest season of the RokuTV SoundBar is available to purchase before the holidays. To top it off, Roku is running more than one promo right now, meant to show that wealth is no longer a factor in truly enjoying revolutionary surround sound. 

TCL Roku TV Wireless SoundBar will be a:

  • 2.0 channel soundbar
  • Output a maximum of 120W 
  • Multiple EQ settings are available in the TV sound settings menu.
  • Wireless music streaming is available via Bluetooth

At $179.99, Roku TV users can use the code TCLROKUSOUND, dropping the price to $99.99. And that deal is still valid, according to Roku. It’s an affordable price point for the working class. There’s also a chance to win a TV plus soundbar on the Roku Blog through December 10th.

No wires mean no installation hassles. With Bluetooth and WiFi as connectors, it’s also possible to boost the sound by attaching other subwoofers. It’s straight-up expandable, making it possible to turn any room into a small theater itself. Sound is accessible, especially for Roku users.

“I mean, there was a time when having a killer home theater setup was, you know, just for someone with, maybe you know who’s really into audio and wanted everything perfect, but these days, TV’s have gotten huge, and they’re accessible. You can get a great TV for not very much,” said Anders Steele, with Roku’s Public Relations Department.

An audio expert himself, Steele feels that the target demographic of Roku has fundamentally changed as years go by.

“TV’s have gotten big and expensive, but they’ve also gotten thinned so the sound of TV’s these days isn’t what you know when the big boxes that I had when I was younger may be able to reproduce, it’s just not possible so, soundbars are a good way to to get the sound that you want. And even way better than what TV’s have been doing,” said Steele.

More specs are on the TCL website, like adding a wall-mount and compatibility with other Roku remotes. The box only comes with three components, a power cord, the soundbar, and the kit to mount it up. With simplicity on the mind of Roku leaders, TV isn’t the only home product becoming more accessible, especially during the pandemic. 

“We’ve had COVID and not a lot of people feeling comfortable going to the theater. At the same time, we have seen movies like Dune coming out simultaneously digitally. So you can create a perfect home theater experience,” said Steele.

What Roku and TCL were hoping to create was an experience of sound fit for everyone. The new SoundBar won’t become an eyesore that collects dust. It’s clutter-free, as TCL puts it. It’s easy to move. It’s portable and easy to keep out of sight. 

“Suddenly, you’re booming if you want to be. And it’s a good feeling, actually,” said Steele.

Considering how many movies are opening streaming only, it’s time to embrace the whole at-home movie experience. This trend is here for the long haul for apparent reasons. Good movies deserve even better bass.

“Streaming services are kicking, but there’s so much good stuff out there, and first-run movies are coming out and these devices, especially this one,” said Steele.

Steele pointed out that Roku’s audio teams are globally pushing the boundaries of sound and science. As far as what’s coming in 2022, Roku seeks to consistently improve its products and optimize them for the consumer experience. In short, there’s always room for improvement.

“We have people heading our acoustic designs department in Denmark. We have a separate facility there who came from like Bang and Olsen or Dynaudio, which is very high-end,” said Steele. “We have an anechoic chamber and facilities in San Jose, CA. We’re constantly working on our audio products. The price is excellent compared to competitors and compared to what’s out there for what you get.”

Considering that Black Friday is early to town this year, it’s possible to see some more great deals to complement the Roku you already have. One Twitter user tweeted that the ‘best investment I ever bought was my RokuTV bundle with the Roku SoundBar.’

Even with movie theaters opening up across the country, it’s essential to have home comfort as an alternative. A marketing campaign aimed at leaving customers with their own decisions to make is a good one. It’s true; the TCL Roku soundbar is for family and parents too.

“We’re not looking to make a killing on selling audio products. We’re trying to enable people to have a good and inspiring home theater experience. That’s our goal,” said Steele. “Being that it’s wireless, you don’t need to hire someone to help you install. You plug it in, and the automatic setup just works. It’s not an exciting answer, but the truth is, this product is for everyone.”

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Photo by alleksana on Pexels.com

Say bye to the problematic personalized news feature.

For the average consumer, it will be considered a win for privacy. Today, the company silently turned off their “Personal News” feature on their Google Assistant. 

The end of another Google AI-based program impacts the Android community and Google product users at home. While a standard news feature remains on the Google Nest Mini (6:30 on a Friday), there’s no reasoning behind why it’s gone, according to a report from The Verge. As far as consumers go, many are left to wonder what’s next for the tech giant.

Google’s met their fair share of concern over privacy–or lack thereof–regarding their AI projects. On top of security concerns, there’s also the concern about not controlling your news feed. There’s the concern of fake news hitting the airwaves.

And through it all, top media organizations continue to create short headlines for Google. Some outlets abandoned the route entirely–while engagement through audio remains the oldest living mode of communication.

Forty-one percent of Americans are listening to regular podcasts, a study with Pew Research Center found. Another 83 percent of the public listens to traditional radio. 

An algorithm isn’t currently capable of producing audio-rich news for a large audience demographic. Since the need for audio production is still growing in the digital sector, maybe Google will introduce something new. 

We are finally saying goodbye to a nosy, algorithmic news option that has operated since 2019. Soon, another algorithm will take its place. The goal? To better serve their audience.

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Social media is an unlikely strong asset to the elements of journalism. Photo by me | 2013

I met a small group of like-minded women that lived near San Francisco when I was maybe ten-years-old, living eight hours away. My parents didn’t particularly enjoy it, but they were like older sisters to me at the time.

We messaged through AIM chat like we were buddies that went to different schools. I can’t sit here and recall a conversation today, but I can discuss the impact it had to meet other creative people at that age.

To date, I don’t meet many other writers in my small town. When you’re a journalist, the circle gets even smaller. Therefore any support you get matters; remote support is so much more than one can think.

So here’s part of the inspiration I drew from–something that social media gave me and continues to give to so many others around the world: interactive engagement and consistent communication.

Also, thanks to Wikipedia for existing during those long nights with lonely, angry insomnia. Which actually was a little bit of asthma and sleep apnea too. But I digress.

Eventually I celebrated my 18th birthday at Bubba Gump Shrimp with my parents and two of my internet friends there. We all happen to follow each other on social media today. They do not know that I still have my gift from that day, almost a decade ago. A black, minimal yet strongly bound and empty notebook for me to write in.

That was the first push I had to follow a dream that seemed to be fading with the dying print media industry.

My internet friends and I are not close anymore but I get the comfort of knowing when I open my Instagram, I’ll see a post from up north or in South Korea. One of them got married in the past year and the pictures were breathtaking. In times like these, those thoughts are comforting.

The midpoint for a random but empowering kinship? A simple Linkin Park message board attached to the official website in 2001.

Next came designing Xangas, one of the first [and many] underground blogging platforms. And then, Myspace. I knew HTML, simple website design, blogging and photo manipulation before I left high school in 2010.

At such a young age, I never realized that I was a part of a prolific moment meant to change the way that humans interact forever. For so long, we were bound by our physical capabilities to move, to see, to feel.

Now, you can connect with someone hundreds of miles away. All of this with the touch of a button. In an era where internet bullying had just become a tangible pain [that now 59 percent of teenagers endure], I found solace from the bullying I experienced in public online.

This was unheard of at the time.

And the internet is still a very toxic place to inhabit. In fact, over three quarters of high school students two years ago did not understand the concept of media literacy, a Stanford University study found. People cannot tell between advertisements and the latter.

Since social media is mixed with all facets of communications, it’s clear that e-commerce is stepping on the toes of the press. Implementing a strong strategy to bring in various consumers through the means of education is imperative for survival.

That’s why I enjoy the career path I chose and the learning that comes with it. I am interested in how human interaction changes through the various modes of engagement over this particular modern age.

Since digital interaction is blowing up right now, it’s clear that addressing the digital divide was going to have to happen sometime. Media and digital convergence will continue to rise and the wealth gap will follow along with it.

Especially with the struggles we’re facing with COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus. The digital divide is a staggering problem grown wildly out of control since the loss of net neutrality. COVID-19 makes it worse.

It’s clear that the use of internet and the products aligned with it [smartphones, laptops, etc.] has gone up, according to Pew Research Center and other internet study trends.

But the amount of unique consumers isn’t going up at all. Only half of the world has internet access. Why is that?

That means that our internet is designed for those who are privileged enough to afford it. That’s not right. The digital divide is real and it’s going to cause problems in an era where a pandemic changed the course of history.

Studying what these statistics mean for us is how those in the communications field can assist in helping businesses stay afloat.

I have gained a lot already from this program about what it takes to use the skills I enjoy, such as writing, and use them to better the lives of both small and big business. I hope to find out more about why social media works in the ways that it does. What does this mean for our future, especially while we are all stuck in self-isolation?

What does the rise of social media engagement reliance mean for the way we process physical emotions in reality? Can social media be a saving grace or is it wrapped up in a wealth disparity gap that we might never break down?

Whatever the case is, it’s 3 am on the west coast so I’m going to wrap this up, add in some outbound links and pictures later. This is the first thing that I’ve really finished since I started my own quarantine a month ago. It’s moments like this where I don’t feel as defeated.

I just want future generations, or even older generations to realize the good behind the internet and why we need to understand the impact of social media–mentally and culturally.

Every bit matters right now. And we’ve all got the time to read.

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I’ve went from print journalism to marketing, public relations, advertising and back again. For now, I’m trying to stay in the social media manager realm because it allows me to write blogs.

Meaning I get to exercise my journalistic creativity on the regular. But seriously though, I cannot express enough how underpaid and undervalued I am as a content creator. I’m marketing a brand to retain clients and often I’m still stuck cleaning a break room.

How can I continue to create an organic outreach that reaches real customers when I’m not taken seriously?

This is why I’m in school. I’m kind of hoping that with the next tier of degree in my life, I’ll get taken a little more seriously. I want to help companies grow and I’m generally not given the resources or time to make that genuine connection happen.

Unfortunately living in the metropolitan area that would see my value in Southern California is a six-figure endeavor. I’m talking like, almost a quarter of a million dollars a year just spent on living comfortably.

And I’m not at that point in my life yet. I don’t know if I’ll ever be close. It seems like my generation really got the short end of the stick and somehow it was so bad that the impact has trickled down to literally everyone except the 1 percent.

Connecting to an audience in a prolific way is something that I crave. I constantly find myself reading these feel good stories but the problem here is that they’re all bandaids for some kind of poor practice. There’s better ways to connect to an audience.

I like to do it in writing because I have social anxiety. But then that anxiety took over my words too. Being in this program has really changed me. It’s caused me to become more humble but to also see that I’m worth more than minimum wage.

Journalism is the core of the communications field. The digital convergence that happens with public relations, marketing and advertising is propelled by media convergence. I have always felt like journalists are held to a higher standard than anyone else. This is because the public trusting us is vital to democracy.

We need to strive to do better. I will never not express how important it is to keep going for the optimum outcome. I know that not everyone in the Newhouse School is there for a journalism degree. Some might hate writing entirely. But when we all work together and pay mind to the ethics behind our careers, our lives are a little bit easier.

I hope I can take the inspiration I draw from this program and really make a difference in the world through telling news via different mediums. I’ve always been a writer. A poet too. But there’s an urgency I feel regarding closing the gap that is the digital divide by exposing misinformation and promoting social awareness as our whole world inches further into the future.

I feel like I really understand why good marketing, advertising, PR and journalism will always go hand in hand with each other. One cannot function without the other in our realm.

The amount of mediums is way too many to count and hard to keep track. Right now I’m loving podcasts because it’s a really old idea with a modern twist attached to it.

Multimedia is this whole different ballgame that really gives writers new and creative ways to tell the stories that they write. If journalists like myself can’t keep up with that, we’re going to slowly lose the media literacy we’ve grown to have.

Digital convergence isn’t going to stop, so we need to hop on the bandwagon and ensure that what does come out is used to the fullest extent of the product or service’s capabilities.

Having a free press is my everything. It’s a gift unlike any other. It’s used as a curse, in some situations. I respect it above all else though, always. If more people lose their respect towards this profession, we’re going to see more open hatred across the board.

I feel like so many demographics have been looked over until recently. And this new wave of marketing towards the younger generations through the likes of big data collection is super creepy. Highly intriguing to watch change happen so quickly though.

Who would’ve known that AARPANET would turn into this massive worldwide conglomerate that corporations are fighting to control the access to? A social awakening is happening that is only going to continue to grow.

As human behavior continues to change, we’re currently seeing something unlike anything that’s been recorded by historians before. It’s not Ancient Aliens or anything, but it’s still pretty great.

The ways culture is portrayed across the world is solely because the internet is here to allow for mass sharing. I’m all here for it. Let’s keep sending memes.

It’s so hard to say what else lies in the future. I’m kind of hoping that eventually I’ll have some brain implant that’ll allow a laptop to type my thoughts for me since my carpal tunnel will probably eventually take my hands out.

Other than that, all I can do is hope that there will be some regulations that will keep customization convenient and 75 percent less invasive. Wait no, maybe like 95 percent less invasive. I’m hoping for the best.

Kind of seems like we’re living in a dystopian universe already though. At least we’re all in this together, right?

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Classes like this one have taught me a handful of useful tidbits for the future. I feel like this blog has also helped me express my feelings, opinions and what not to the best of my ability. All while getting to drop facts in between.

I’ve got a glorified diary. I plan on using it as much as I can.

I have to pre-write to write.

It’s insane how all of the topics discussed over the term are things I’ve already recognized in real life but never knew the proper terminology for. I’m so excited to continue learning.

As someone who suffers from massive anxiety to the point where I can’t check my email or grades, being able to free-flow while weaving in my understanding of class topics helps me truly get the stuff that I’m reading and watching.

I guess this is essentially the tip of the iceberg with the beginning of my graduate school career. I’m over here, hand writing my last blogs for this class while thinking about my finals. Stressing. Multimedia for one and a case study for another.

The thing that I’ve truly enjoyed about this course though is the way I can now analyze and tie in the importance of digital/media convergence. I can especially see it because I recently got a new job-which at the time of typing this bit I am probably going to never go back-and I happened to be in an office setting instead of being at home.

Totally new to me. Even this program is. But I do enjoy being able to still feel like I’m in a classroom learning, instead of trying to teach something myself with very little to no direction.

So last week, all of a sudden I was staring at three computer screens. Holy second screen experience! And a keyboard and a mouse that work! I’ve been working from a broken laptop for almost a year! This is nuts!

I was able to take what I’ve learned in journalism from my undergrad and what I’ve learned about journalism innovation at my short time at Syracuse and really do a lot of work in a short amount of time. It took me 57 hours, but I got them set up with social media posts across six platforms until the end of March.

It was easily enough work to earn a grand. Turns out they thought it was worth half of that. All of this work I put into this company to make them look good and it kind of wasn’t worth the effort.

Honestly though the fact that this client thought that it was okay to pay me California minimum wage is really the result of the lack of media literacy in the country. It’s super simple to look up the average wage of a social media manager in the United States.

Add in a copy editor and marketing/personal assistant to the mix and the costs add up. I digress, though.

I’m over here incredibly upset that I’m late on my work at a super crucial time but at the same time I’m grateful that the little bit I’ve taken from this program I’ve already learned how to use to further my career path.

And I got to really experience a true multi-screen experience for a little bit that I wouldn’t have before. Even if the client was lackluster, Syracuse got me there and helped me see my worth.

There’s always people that need someone to write and edit for them. Until then I’m going to write my little heart out on this blog and hope that it provides context into myself as a person.

I’ve seen what places like Vox and the Washington Post have done for journalism. I’m writing about the Washington Post for my case study. Those are things that can be applied to basically every aspect of communications. I’m constantly intrigued with the versatile manner that journalism fits within this broad industry.

However with the way things keep changing, it’s crucial to continue to revamp and rebrand the communications industry as a whole. Especially the media, both new and old.

I can’t express enough how amazing it is to take these skills that I’ve honed over the years and use them to better something else.

Considering how my alma matter is potentially shutting down the newspaper that I gained all of these skills from as a writer, I feel like the best way I can combat the reality of a dying newspaper by furthering my knowledge in multimedia. Period.

News needs to be told. We just have to understand the obstacles that we are dealt with.

Being able to connect to consumers is the best way to continue to close the digital divide. Now we just need WiFi accessible to everyone. I hope to see that in the near future. Everyone should have the opportunity to have access to a virtual library.

Without access to simple things like blogging, student journalism and student-ran communications groups across the nation, we will never be able to dominate in the media literacy field.

I want to see a day where being a digital era journalist is considered just as important as any STEM major. I don’t think people understand how much goes into becoming an expert on a topic, hunting down verifiable sources and putting together a package that works across a multitude of platforms.

Being a watchdog is hard right now. It’s like trying to get an alcoholic to quit drinking when they just aren’t ready. But if we, as journalists, are able to gain trust and understanding, then the public might be ready to trust us later.

With the next round of presidential elections looming in the corner, I feel like finding new ways to innovate news and find news is more important than ever.

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Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

How many times will you check your social media platforms while reading this blog?Probably a bit–I can guarantee even the most anti-social is tapped in somehow. Media convergence is prevalent right now and it’s taken a whack at the digital divide.

So about the Big Five.

Everyone has one of the Big Five of social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube aka Google, Twitter and LinkedIn. They all cater to vastly different parts of the internet but at this point, they’re pretty vital to any part of the communications industry.

I’m not a big fan. I grew up outside and whatever, like every other millennial. But being able to navigate through each medium is way to have success as a multimedia journalist in this age, especially when those catalysts aren’t always used for the greater good.

I mean, I’m here to tell the truth and that’s where my loyalties lie. I’m only good at words and the Big Five that came with the rise of the internet have changed the way that words are taken in.

So it’s only natural to take what I’ve learned and apply them in other places. It’s constant trial and error. It’s a challenge. It’s pretty fun and exhausting at the same time.

Why care about the Big Five?

I can’t speak for everyone in my field but I do know that we all probably learned the same exact ethics to get where we are now. I want to adhere to those ethics while still using the Big Five in a way that is beneficial to those that come across my platforms.

Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and his campaign are pinnacles in effective ways to use social media, even when social media giants might not completely be in tune with you.

Whether it’s through social media, email or cell phone, this presidential campaign is really hitting the ground running, relying on communication to get their point across.

Fighting back against the grain?

For example, let’s look at Twitter. I’ve discussed before how Twitter’s CEO Jack Dorsey harbors a soft side for conservatives and white nationalists. Even with supposed consistent moderation and a more supposed “paid political ads” ban, Twitter is still used daily by our current President in order to push his narratives.

In short, Twitter has a huge loophole that can’t be closed.

And his Twitter following continues to grow. At 66.9 million followers as of 6 pm PST, the only president with more followers than Donald Trump is Barack Obama, with just under 111 million followers to count.

I mean, our previous POTUS was a master at communication via social media. And he still continues to be. To say his tweets are drastically different than President Trump’s is a massive understatement.

Need I post more to show the difference? I feel like there’s this clear notion of catering to a certain audience. It’s either left or right. And in-between isn’t acceptable with either side.

While Obama pushes for unity, Trump is pushing for ratings like our country is another season of the Apprentice. We all know that Rasmussen has a huge conservative-leaning bias. Where are you getting your facts from, President? Seems like you’re picking and choosing a narrative to fit your fancy. Who is really the “fake news” then?

Honesty and transparency is absolutely everything nowadays.

I wonder how many jobs will turn me down over this opinion. But it’s really all common sense to me. Use your platform right and spread awareness across the nation.

Or the world.

Even Taylor Swift got on board with that one. Here’s just a recent example of it. We all know that she finally got political last election, too.

This means that being able to innovate journalism is the only way to beat this blatant growing use of citizen journalism as propaganda that the right has really latched onto. It’s not about the rights of who is conservative and who is considered liberal. It’s about basic human rights, as well as the need for truth across the board.

Facebook is another problem. We’ve seen Mark Zuckerberg in action, trying to run around questions from Congress time and time again.

And Facebook owns Instagram. Both monopolies are being represented by the same guy, ultimately.

This guy.

All memes aside, these big tech people don’t have everyone’s best interests in mind. That’s why it’s up to those in the communications industry to harness those tools and use them for the better of society.

Our children are at risk, too.

YouTube and Google struggled with the lasting impact of alarming videos seeping into children’s videos for a few years, along with the complicit nature behind executives. If you want to read more about the YouTube kid video debacle, check out this highly extensive Medium post by James Bridle here.

To be honest, the issue highlighted in the article above is what needs to be addressed. All of these things occur because we really don’t have a clue how to keep new age propaganda from spreading.

What happened to vigilance? We’re really out here questioning scientists over climate change but not questioning those that create content to rot out our brains?

https://twitter.com/Caddicarus/status/1154710078727053314

Therefore, it only makes sense to push out saturation with more mindful content. In all reality, the job trickles down to content creators.

Enter journalism. We’ve seen how the Washington Post has managed to expand their reach into far parts of the internet that many haven’t touched. And now, people in the communications industry are starting to catch on.

Maybe we can’t teach media literacy to those that are on the older spectrum. You only want to know what you seek. But the younger generations? Ready to learn and do better than us. Our lives and the way they will end up all falls on them.

This is why so many journalists are jumping on TikTok.

https://twitter.com/TaylorLorenz/status/1196455153009737728

This is why even President Trump has a Twitch.tv channel, even if he has barely used it yet. The greatest way to garner a relationship with the public is through online transparency. And the younger we get, the more we kind of seem to care about it.

If you can’t beat them, join them. If we’re able–as multimedia journalists–to break into a new market, we’re able to not only commercialize sustained journalism, but we can spread the truth.

TikTok is full of funny videos. Twitch.tv is an Amazon affiliate meant to cater to online streaming gamers. How do you spread news through these mediums? Through letting people get a slice of life as a reporter.

It really all comes down to conversation. People want to leave their two cents in real-time. That’s why Twitter, for example, is so vital for journalists.

Live commentary and updated breaking news is an amazing and useful way to connect to whatever community you’re local to.

I use this example a lot, but living in one of California’s major fire zones means that following journalists on different platforms via social media is a way that I can stay safe. It also means that I can contribute on the ground as a freelance journalist in order to protect and inform others through something as simple as a hashtag.

At this point, hashtags are universal and make life that much more accessible.

Look at what is happening in Hong Kong right now. Riots are prevalent. Citizens are getting hurt because they want democracy. If there wasn’t such a big societal need for the Big Five, would the world be able to know about this kind of obvious government corruption?

Just because we are America doesn’t mean that we aren’t vulnerable. The facade that we are devoid of problems is highly problematic. That’s another reason why it’s imperative to keep pushing against the norm.

Facebook is not a valid news source, sorry to all the Aunts and Uncles out there that think it is. But a valid news source can use Facebook to push an even more valid narrative. On top of that, it’s a way to communicate to readers and make their experiences better with each article or livestream.

It’s going to take time and effort. And to be honest, we really don’t have a lot of time left.

With climate change, homelessness and gun control looming over our heads, on top of another presidential election, it’s clear that moves need to be made in order to gain public trust, especially for those who feel alienated in modern society. Which happens to be both sides of the political spectrum.

We have to know how to use the Big Five for the sake of everyone with internet access. It’s all about humanity and survival of the fittest. Because we aren’t going anywhere.

Once one of the Big Five falls, another will pop up to take its place. Since this particular industry is subjected to constant change, learning how to stay ahead of the game is key to staying afloat.

I’m right there with the rest of the older millennials. Technology is an enigma that I’ve been forced to master and come to terms with. I’ll always be in the learning stage with this profession, although that’s really the fun in it.

But seeing the innovations in communication is the biggest reason why the industry draws me in. Connection is everything.

Some people are homebodies, and not by choice. Some have major social anxiety, like myself, where it’s far easier to make a difference behind a computer screen. Some people have double lives to lead–I’m talking about multiple careers in order to keep a roof over their heads.

Some people want to know more than what they’ve been told. Some people just want more personalization. Some people just want to buy things they might not see in real life.

Social media helps fuel relief in all of those areas, when used correctly. Overall, it’s really a full-time job to be an expert in this field. Since the rise of the Big Five, there’s now more side hustles than ever. If you can harness that side hustle with intricate techniques, you can have a following.

And having a following not only makes money, but has a lasting impact on those that adore what you do just as much as you.