The Role I Choose for the Future

The biggest thing I learned from this course is that discrimination, hatred, oppression, etc, exist largely from a lack of knowledge and experiences. When I leave this classroom, my role is going to be that of a student and a teacher.


There are many things I have never experienced and might not ever get to. I can, however, make the effort to learn about those things. Even if I can't understand certain people or situations that are different, I can be aware and accepting of them. That awareness will help me to be more open-minded and less judgmental.

In the same way, I hope to use my voice and my talents to educate others. I can use the media tools of the time to open up new worlds to others. I can help provide that knowledge and awareness, which will hopefully lead to more acceptance of differences.

As difficult as it was to nail down the definition of a sociological imagination, I realize that it's something I've always used and something I hope to continue to use. I want to apply that to every situation where I find myself judging someone else. What must their life be like? How did they grow up? Where did they grow up? Etc... We are all connected to the societies in which we were raised. Being aware that these upbringings are different, but okay, can lead to more understanding.

Lippman vs Dewey

“Knowledge must come not from the conscious but from the environment.”

Walter Lippman doesn’t think we have much control over our own thoughts. In Public Opinion, he proposes that we need an elite group of experts to make the big decisions for us. He thinks that the common person’s reason isn’t developed and cannot be acted on. His views on democracy are dark and do not offer much hope for the future.

Lippman is clearly a believer of agenda setting. He thinks that a higher power (like the media) decides what we think about. I do not believe in the agenda setting theory for many reasons. First of all, it’s ridiculous to think that one specific group of people can or should make decisions for the masses. It’s true that our government is a small group making decisions for the entire country, but not only do we elect them, but we have the power to tell them what we want. I am a firm believer in democracy and I feel that I have power to make a difference and to be heard. Secondly, I think that the internet and citizen journalism are proof that the people will be heard and can decide for themselves what’s important. We’re seeing an increase in citizen involvement in news and entertainment coverage. What would Walter Lippman say to this? I think he’d be at a loss for words, which is saying something for him.

I believe more in what John Dewey says. He’s more positive about democracy and public participation. Most of all, he focuses on communication. While Lippman implies that we should just sit back and let the elite discuss things and make decisions for us, Dewey believes that we should all participate in the discussion. He would probably believe more in the uses and gratification theory.

I definitely think like Dewey, but I believe it’s important to study Lippman as well. He has valuable points that challenge the way that I think. Studying his side helped me form my opinion on the subject and made me think about how I use my voice and how I can use it more.