Weekly Reflections

This week I read an article in the Daily Mississippian about the alleged complaints made towards the Sigma Chi fraternity here at Ole Miss. The article was about Derby Days which is a philanthropy event the fraternity hosts to raise money. One of the events is a dance competition that each sorority competes in. This year during the question and answer was going on the sigma chi hosts were publicly asking inappropriate questions and are now being investigated for title 9 of the University and sexual harassment. Personally, I do not agree that the chapter should be potentially kicked off campus but more that there be better precautions for next year and the members that were asking the questions be punished.

I also read an article in The New York Times called “Loneliness May Be Bad for Your Heart” it tells the statistical data of coronary heart disease, stroke, and other heart problems that occurred in people based on the study of isolation. The study shows the being alone can actually break your heart. Many people have an increased risk and development of heart problems when they are isolated or have a strong feeling of loneliness. I have always known that human nature calls for us to have the need to be surrounded by others and love. Although, I never quite realized how important it truly is to have people that love and care about you around in your life.

While researching and reading through The New York Times it is so fascinating to see how many different points a view that can come from one topic. Before discovering the “Up for Debate” column in the NYT I never thought of all the many ways to look at one argument. For example, I am researching the diagnosis of A.D.H.D on children and the stances range from too quick to diagnose to white children are more likely to be diagnosed than black children. It is interesting to read the views and see how they connect and contrast between each other.

Another impactful thing I read this week was an easter card from my mom. Her words of love, prayer, and strength are helping me get through my busy week of tests and work. Her card came unexpectedly but at a perfect time as most things like that so often do. Reading her easter card reminds me of how blessed we are to be able to do what we can today. Also, that every day is a gift and that we should take advantage of each day living it to the fullest.

Outside of The New York Times, in writing, we had a peer review where I was able to read and suggest ideas to another student. This task helped me in my own writing in the way that it mad me think about what elements did this student us that I could use in my own paper. This made an important impact on me because it helped me make my writing stronger as well as helping someone else make a strong paper.

Within The New York Times, I read an article over sharing on social media between the family. The article “Don’t Post About Me on Social Media, Children Say” discusses the reactions of parents and children when it come to sharing photos of each other and life moments. The children were the most outspoken when it came to not wanting their pictures to be shared. This creates the argument of what is OK to share and what isn’t and should parents share the early moments of a child’s life before they can give consent. The article opened my eyes to this issue because I have never thought of it that people could have a problem with their parents sharing funny or special moments in their children’s lives. I see the point of the children in that they want to monitor their digital identity but I also see the side that the parents have a right to share their story that happens to include their children. I agree that the parents should think further in advance when deciding what to share and post. Also, the possibility of not allowing their children’s friends to follow these account in order to avoid embarrassing remarks towards the parent posts.

This week in The New York Times instead of reading articles we watched and looked at Op-Docs. An Op-Doc that stuck out to me was the one over sexual orientation in other countries. This really opened my eyes to what’s happening not only in the united states but also in other countries, often to a worse extent. This Op-doc followed a homosexual activist around his hometown while interviewing him about all the things he has gone through and how he handles his sexuality within a society that doesn’t approve. It was interesting to see how much worse he has it in his country because in recent years this has become a large topic of discussion within the United States as well. However, in the United States LBGT community was fighting for marriage rights but in this country, they’re fighting for the right to live. It makes you think about how all over the world we can be dealing with the same topic of  the issue but on different areas and places within the movement.

Outside of The New York Times, I read a card from my mom that I had gotten from valentines day. She put a bible verse inside the card and her message of saying that she was proud of me. Getting a message like this reminding me of what I’m doing in light of my mom really made me feel good about myself. Before I read the note, I was stressed and didn’t know how to get through the week but what my mom had to say really helped me take on this week.

This week I read a lot of good articles in The New York Times although the one that was most significant to my life was the an article about the correlation between hours a sleep and chances of catching a cold. It was interesting to hear that body’s activities while you sleep help protect from developing a cold and the people getting the recommended amount of 7 to 8 hours were least likely to become ill. However, as you read further into the article it begins to say that if someone has too much sleep they too will be susceptible to catch a cold. The presence of the inconstant information showed that it hard to pinpoint that sleep deprivation is the cause of illness but that it may help along the process.

Another article that I read outside of The New York Times was an article and instructions on how to create a cover letter and résumé . This helped me a lot when I was applying for a job and taught me how to write and word job descriptions in a way that it will sound more appealing to your potential employer. After reading the article and instructions I feel more confident when I am applying for jobs and that I am doing what employers look for in potential applicants.

This week in The NewYork Times I read an article about lying and what lies aren’t  justified and which lies are if any at all. This article inspired me to look at my own moral compass and consider what I have stretched the truth on over the past week. The author defines his definition of a lie and then asks readers to weigh in their opinions about which lies are in good nature or not and why. After thinking about my own response to the lies being told I’ve come to realize that honesty  truly is the best policy. Even though, sometimes we lie in order to make things easier, so to speak.  This article impacted my week with making myself more aware of what honesty I was putting into my everyday conversations.

The other impacting article I read this week was an article that my journalism professor had given the class. The article was from a magazine and written by my professor. The title was “The Mr. Magazine 2016 Manifesto: There Is Hope…”. He wrote his top ten reasons for why he believes there is still hope to ink on paper. This article has made a lasting impact  by speaking to me on the level of my major. I am majoring in Journalism IMC and understanding the importance of printed articles and news is essential. If I am not aware of the key points that my professor pointed out how will I be able to strive in my field of work.