Here's a little background: The 59 second clip on the internet started with Kerry stating, "We live and breathe the idea of religious freedom and religious tollerance. And politcal freedom and polictical tollerance, whatever the point of view." He went on to explain to the students the idea of, "Free Speech," and even related to them with a question they may have had. How is it that a group of people can march in a parade holding signs saying the most "Provacative things in the world," and can even be an insult to one group or another? Well that's the idea of free speech. Kerry then went on to say the now infamous line, "In America, you have the right to be stupid." Click on the link below to take a look at the clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiuV8vF8K_s
As one looks at the clip, an open mind can see that while what he is saying can be taken the wrong way, the main idea of the comment was merely to say that you have the choice to do or say what you want in America. If you want to be uneducated, technically, you can do that. If you want to be educated, you can do that as well. Kerry even mentions, "You have the right to be disconnected from somebody else, if you want to be." He is clearly not trying to insult his fellow Americans by saying they can be stupid. He uses his own provacative way to get his point across in saying you are free to do what you please in America, "That's freedom," he exclaims.
Going back to the KCRA 3 newscast, and I was able to see a first hand account of how the media either sets an agenda or can twist a story to make the viewers think one way or the other. The telecast started out by basically saying, you have to see this, followed by a very short clip of Kerry only making the infamous comment. I immediately thought to myself, "Oh no, the correct message will not get through by the way KCRA 3 presented it." Is KCRA 3's newscast so cut throat that they have to try to make John Kerry look bad without showing the entire clip and letting the viewers decide? I thought this was an great example of what we have been discussing in class and wanted to share it with the rest of you.
This is the best example I've seen in a long time, Brandon. Outstanding work here. I'm assuming it was the local news, or was it the national news shown on KCRA? Either way, it's a good look at how access to the internet provides all of us a chance to look deeper into what we are told -- if only we did it!
ReplyDeleteI can see why most people can be offended to the comment Secretary of State John Kerry had made because the media twisted the story. I watched the you tube video and the news coverage. It is not surprising the media twist stories in order for viewers to believe their point of views. It is sad news reporters will do anything to sell their stories, after all it is a business. In my opinion John Kerry meant, in America we have a choice and we choose our own path. Whether a person wants to remain stupid or become educated. It is all up to that person and that is why America is great. Our country allows people to have a choice. Stupid was used as a metaphor. He did not say that all Americans are literally stupid. Even though, I feel majority of people in our society are stupid.
ReplyDeleteHi Brandon,
ReplyDeleteI believe Americans abuse the fact that we have so much opportunity, and it can come across that we are lazy and spoiled. Everyone has a choice, and we can only hope that education and hard work are priority. I agree that the media twists quotes, well, that's because society loves drama, and drama sells. To say that Americans have the right to be stupid, and that's true...but we don't so no need to be offended!