SUSAN GRIFFIN
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Sound Bites
by Susan Griffin
Democracy is facing many crises, the erosion of our cherished civil liberties, the diminishment of the checks and balances once provided by three strong branches of government, corruption in our voting booths, a war that undermines both our economy and the principles of justice on which our nation was formed, to name a few. And there is something else
to add to this list, more subtle but equally crucial to our survival. As over the last two decades our world has gotten more and more complex, mass media has been dumbing down. It is rare to encounter much more than sound bites, from news anchors, candidates, those who hold public office and even many political pundits.
This is one among many reasons why Obama’s now famous speech about race and racism in America is so important. He helped us as nation begin to consider these potentially divisive issues in greater depth. He did not talk down to his audience or aim at the lowest common denominator in us all. Rather he respected the intelligence of American citizens by raising the level of the discourse.
As much as we need a balanced budget, economic justice, peace, and equality for women, African-Americans and all Americans, we also need to discuss the fate of our nation in a more intelligent way. We are facing so many complex questions. The mortgage crisis alone challenges even very educated minds. Yet to meet this crisis, we the people need to learn what it is really about. As one commentator on the financial meltdown mentioned recently, when he was our president, Franklin Roosevelt was able to educate citizens regarding issues that were just as difficult through his fireside chats. It’s not impossible. Al Gore has helped us grasp global warming through a long discursive film that became nevertheless a nationwide success at the box office.
So consider adopting a new kind of courage, a courage for media heroes. Let’s urge the press and our candidates to employ fewer sound bites and lot more thoroughness, honesty and insight.
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