Saturday, August 29, 2026

Why It's OK to Be Negative

The Eight Values of Free Expression

After reflecting on the Eight Values of Free Expression, the one that stood out most to me was Stable Change because of its unique outlook on expressing your feelings. Throughout our whole lives, we have all been told to always “be positive”; however, what if sometimes you just can't? What if sometimes you just need to let something out and then go about your day? The Stable Change value supports that, saying that citizens are allowed to speak their mind, or "vent," and that this will actually be a healthier alternative, as people will be less likely to resort to violence. For example, let's say people are angry about a new government policy. Instead of banning criticism, the government allows people to protest and post complaints online. People get to “vent” to release their frustration, and, in addition, the government can see what the public is upset about.

This tactic not only allows people to get their frustration out without committing actual violence, but it also lets the government know which groups should be monitored, just in case potential violence arises. A great example of this is the March for Our Lives in 2018. After the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, students organized March for Our Lives protests across the country to fight for stronger gun-safety laws. The protests brought attention to the issue, encouraged gun-safety discussion, and pushed lawmakers to consider making changes to gun laws. Instead of anybody getting retaliation against the school shooters and spreading the harm to them, people were instead able to peacefully express their anger and frustration. By doing this, the government could hear those concerns and respond through the political system instead of people feeling like they had no way to make their voices heard.

A negative example of the Stable Change expression was during the 1960s, when the FBI monitored the Black Panther Party and other groups. In some cases, agents used spies and surveillance footage to gather information about what groups were protesting and whether violence might occur. The FBI's COINTELPRO program eventually went beyond just watching for violence and included attempts to ban some groups from peacefully protesting, even when there was little evidence of illegal activity. The FBI itself acknowledges that they were violating First Amendment rights.

Even though things such as protesting and writing a comment online are completely legal and a part of our rights as American citizens, sometimes there are better ways to release rage. Ways that are more calm, personal, and useful that we can implement into our daily lives. According to Mental Health America, 10 healthy ways to reduce rage include...

Visiting a rage room (and breaking something safely)
Scream (in private)
Sing it out
Dance it out
Do a tough workout
Journal
Draw or paint
Change your surroundings
Destroy a physical representation of your anger (e.g., ripping up a piece of paper)
Verbalizing your anger in private

For me personally, the ones that I resonate with are journaling, working out, painting, dancing, and changing my surroundings because they allow me to get out of my head, forget everything else around me, and dial me into the activity or task I am doing. In summary, after researching more about the Stable Change expression, I see how much being “negative” can impact our society in a positive way.

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AI DISCLOSURE: The post was a collaboration using Microsoft Copilot. I took detailed notes while watching a 20-minute video about the history of the supreme court. In addition to the facts that I learned, I emphasized my own facts and opinions while watching. I then asked Copilot to help me improve the text while correcting grammar, spelling, punctation. I then asked Copilot to help me shape my text into a blog post format. After reviewing the text, I added links to related resources, as well as appropriate images and captions

Friday, August 28, 2026

From Scrolling to Stories

The first platform I would recommend for accessing the news is the popular short-form video app, TikTok. Although it is not always the most reliable source, I would recommend it because it makes staying informed quick, easy, and engaging. TikTok is especially useful for keeping up with pop culture, as creators often share updates about the latest drama, scandals, and trends involving online celebrities and influencers. I also like that TikTok allows you to listen to someone explain a story instead of having to read multiple long articles to understand what happened. For someone who wants to stay updated without spending a lot of time searching for news, TikTok is an easy and entertaining platform to use.

The second platform I recommend would be Apple News. Similarly to TikTok, it provides fast and valuable informative, causing you to constantly be in the loop, just through a notification on your phone. I especially love having Apple News because even when I'm just looking at my phone, I can swipe right to the search bar and in just a glance, I know exactly what the latest headlines are. I would also recommend Apple News because it makes it easy to find a variety of news stories all in one place, instead of having to visit several different websites or apps. In addition, I also like that it covers a wide range of topics, including current events, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. For someone who wants a convenient way to stay informed about from something as big as what is happening in the world, to the latest sports game, Apple news is a great option.

If you are looking to stay up to date with information pertaining to your school or community, Yik Yak is the place for you. I would recommend Yik Yak because it provides information straight from students to your phone, making it an easy way to stay connected to what is happening around you. From getting a recommendation for a professor to knowing what the nightly plans are, Yik Yak provides information that is directly relevant to students. Since people can post anonymously, users often share funny stories, opinions, events, and updates that I might not see on traditional news platforms. The anonymous part of the platform causes the information to vary in terms of how trustworthy it is. However, Yik Yak is still a useful platform for quickly finding out what is happening around your school and community

My favorite news platform, which I have been watching since I was a kid, is The Today Show. Not only does this news source deliver helpful, informative, and reliable information, but it does so in such a positive way. Implementing fun activities, bringing in speakers, and hosting concerts are examples of what The Today Show does daily to engage viewers and keep them tuning in every morning. I especially like that The Today Show covers both serious news and lighter stories, making it more interesting and enjoyable to watch. For someone who wants to stay updated on what is happening in the world while also keeping up with entertainment and pop culture, The Today Show is a great source.

A news platform I recently discovered in my Media Writing class is Snopes. I would recommend Snopes because it is a helpful source for checking whether information online is true or false. Snopes was recommended to us as one of the only completely unbiased news platforms that provides the details and evidence behind its claims instead of simply telling readers what to believe. It covers a variety of topics, including viral stories, rumors, and claims circulating on social media. Snopes allows readers to see the facts and make their own conclusions.

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Thursday, August 27, 2026

Beyond Just Nine Justices

Supreme Court Reflection

Watching this video gave me a closer look at the inner workings of the United States Supreme Court, a place often described as the most powerful judicial body on Earth. What struck me most, however, was not just its power, but the idea that its influence ultimately rests on public faith and trust.

The Court is made up of nine justices who are responsible for interpreting a Constitution that is more than 200 years old. Even though the document was written centuries ago, its meaning continues to shape decisions that affect the country today. One quote from the video stood out to me: “We must never forget it is a Constitution we are expounding.” That statement seemed to capture the responsibility of interpreting a document that remains central to American government.

The video also highlighted how exclusive the Supreme Court can be. Being admitted to practice before the Court was described as being “akin to being struck by lightning,” emphasizing just how rare and significant the opportunity is.

I was also interested in hearing about the culture inside the Court. One person explained that it takes a while to get used to being there and that the real work begins once you stop thinking about how remarkable the setting is. In other words, after the initial excitement fades, the focus shifts to the responsibilities at hand.

The video also touched on the phrase “We the People,” noting that those words were originally composed by only a small part of the population. That observation reminded me that the Constitution has a complex history and that its interpretation continues to evolve over time.

Another detail that caught my attention was the tradition of shaking every justice’s hand before proceedings begin. At first, it seemed like a simple gesture, but the explanation behind it was meaningful. The practice is intended to ensure that even when people strongly disagree, there is no lingering tension. Disagreements are expected, but respect remains essential.

Overall, I came away with a deeper appreciation for the traditions, responsibilities, and influence of the Supreme Court. While its power is considerable, the institution also depends on public confidence and a commitment to respectful disagreement.

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