Lady Gaga will save Haiti!

Lately, it seems that all has been covered on the media spectrum has been coverage of natural disasters.  With weeks of news about Haiti, there was never a moment in which we didn’t hear about it from either the internet, television, newspapers, or even radio. Thousands of pictures flooded in of the disaster, stories about agencies going to help those who have been effected by it, millions of dollars sent in by American civilians, and even governmental money for aid.

Just this past week, a massive earthquake struck in Chile, leaving hundreds (that are known) dead and millions without homes. Already, there has been a call out for aid. And who better than to help out than celebrities.

I was catching up on my Daily Beast, when I came across this article. I think celebrities helping out is magnificent – it’s a high-traffic name that brings in revenue. People listen to celebrities.

However, I have some mixed feelings. Auctions are a great way to bring in money – but why aren’t the celebrities really giving anything? We hear about them auctioning off their clothes, pianos, shoes, autographs, etc. But we don’t see big articles saying “_______________ donates $500,000 to Haiti Relief.” Instead, they donate a piano so people can buy it and then they give a portion to charity.

I just think it’s a tad bit selfish and even confusing. But I’m sure we’ll see an influx of auctions and celebrity debacles for both Haiti and Chile coming soon. Let’s see what we can buy this time.

Incomprehensible.

Last semester, I took a Political Science course about Public Policy and all that goes with it. To be completely honest with myself and everyone else, I did not learn much at all. I can tell you little tidbits of information here and there (that are probably completely and utterly useless), but I could not go fully into depth about anything in specific. However, one phrase from a single article we read has stuck out in my mind from that class ever since:

The Political ideologies of those on the other side of Political spectrum are incomprehensible to those who have opposite views.

Until it had been put into words, I didn’t even truly realize it. Right then though, I realized how right it was. Everyone knows that I am an aggressive liberal – if we start speaking about Politics, about 30 seconds in you will realize very plainly where I stand on everything. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing but rather I’m just very forward about my feelings and ideas. I don’t hide that I’m ridiculously Liberal.

But it wasn’t until that moment that I realized that the views of those on the opposite side of the Political spectrum (i.e. Republicans or thereabouts) is completely incomprehensible to me. And this isn’t just me being a Liberal and not understanding how they come up with that – but rather anyone and everyone. Ask any Republican about a Liberal’s viewpoint, and they will probably not understand how their thoughts are that way and why they think that.

It’s universal across the board – we can’t come to grips why people believe the things we do. And it honestly doesn’t help that we have such biased news media. Say I were to turn on Fox News at this very moment (why I would do that, I don’t know, but just go with me). I would probably be staring at the tv with a gaping mouth just asking “HUH!? Where in the hell are they getting THAT?!” Most likely, I would disagree with every single statement, not even knowing what to fathom about what is being put before me. And I know I’m not the only one – I’m sure if a Republican were to turn on CNN or MSNBC, they would have the exact same reactions as I have.

So we’ve acknowledged that the other views are incomprehensible – but why? Why do we have such strong feelings that we can’t bring ourselves to understand the other side? I personally believe that a big problem is our biased media. They’re run to make you agree with their statements more, pushing you more away from the truth and gaining knowledge yourself. They tell you the facts, you believe them (with no hesitation), and you find yourself believing the other side is wrong more and more. I admit – I’m guilty of doing this exact thing. Everyone is, unless you do not follow any type of news source.

Why do we let this happen? Why does nobody say stop and order those to be more fair to all sides? This will never happen in America, but only in an idyllic nation which is completely imaginary. We know that the media will never become truly unbiased – it’s not what America wants to hear. They want to turn on a news station that has their own views – they don’t want to listen to something completely down the center. They want controversy, gossip, and scandal. They don’t want boring facts that aren’t even near towing the line.

I know that an unbiased media is never going to happen. I also know that the fact that the other side’s ideologies are incomprehensible is going to become even more defined and harder to even connect with. But I think it’s something we should all acknowledge and be done with. No more anger at each other for not understanding. Rather, let’s have the understanding that there is no understanding, and maybe we’ll all understand a little bit better. Understand?