America: The Normalization of Mass Shootings

Over the past decade, the occurrences of mass shootings of  in America has significantly sky-rocketed. This year alone, America made history with the largest mass shooting in history in Las Vegas, Nevada at a country musical festival. Just this week, Texas suffered another shooting at a church where a gunman opened fire injuring and killing several of its members. In the last decade there have been 17 mass shootings, with four out of  five deadliest shootings taking place since 2007 according to a recent article posted by CNN.com. With the increase of these devastating acts of cowardice, it appears that Americans have become immune to such occurrences, have we given up faith in humanity?

The normalization of mass shootings seem to be something that has consistently plagued the country, although there seems to be limited effort in trying to reduce such shootings. Several years ago, a mass shooting would have seemed outrageous and  appalling, but now people really don't seem to be effected as heavily. Could it be the media? Is the issue the open access to weaponry (This topic can have a blog dedicated to it specifically)? Either way, innocent people are dying and it's being brushed off as a everyday thing, in comparison to losing your car keys or forgetting to take the dog out for a walk. While no one really knows when shootings such as these will take place, we should not take a simplistic and carefree approach to them. As a country we have to learn not only be sympathetic but empathetic to those who have experienced these unjustifiable and certifiable acts. As a country, we have to de-normalize mass shootings, trying to understand the increase, and develop efforts to reduce them. If nothing is done, we have failed as a society and the youth are doomed.

Check THIS out:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/13/health/mass-shootings-in-america-in-charts-and-graphs-trnd/index.html

Working in Silence - Speech Rights in the Workplace

The development of technology over the last several decades has proven to be very beneficial as communication tools for people across the world. The internet, specifically, has been used as an outlet to express ourselves and opinions on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Unfortunately, with in the last few years, organizations have become privy that the utilization of social media can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to their reputation. Because of this many companies have began to enforce guidelines that employees must abide by when posting on both company and personal social media outlets. There have been several cases with in the past five years of employees being terminated from organizations because they did not abide by these guidelines or the company did not agree with what they posted. This poses the question as to what speech rights employees should and should not be granted and how much control should organizations really be able to have over employees' personal social media?

While organizations should have guidelines to ensure that employees aren't discussing private and important information on their social media, employees should not have to alter or limit their views just to appease their employers. United States citizens are granted the freedom of speech, therefore they should be able to express their political, religious, and other controversial views on their personal social media outlets. Many organizations try to protect their reputation by get rid of employees who they feel shed a negative light on the company or have views that may reflect negatively on them. Companies should protect their brands and reputations but not at the cost of their employees, unless the acts of the employee put the company or it's customers in harm's way. For example, in 2009 Domino's Pizza faced a major crisis after two employees thought it would be comical to record them completing grotesque and unsanitary acts with ingredients of a local franchise in North Carolina. The employees then posted a series of five videos to their personal YouTube account, receiving over one million views in just two days. In a situation such as this, Domino's was put in a dilemma where the acts of their employees on social media could affect their entire brand. Rightfully so, the employees were fired and Dominos used strategic communication of social media to combat the situation,

Ultimately, organizations should have specified guidelines about employees utilization of social media and clearly define what could possible result in termination if posted. At the same time, organizations should be mindful not to infringe on the rights of their employees, and consider that they are human and don't need to micromanaged and monitored to the point they feel like they can't express themselves in an accurate way.

America's Not So American League?

Over the past week, America's favorite teams in the National Football League, unified to protest again President Trump and kneeling during the National Anthem. While athlete Colin Kaepernick took a stand against police brutality and race inequality nearly a year ago, several of the NFL teams, along with teams outside the sport, are now participating in act of solidarity. President Trump's recent reaction to the players stormed up negative reactions toward the league as he and many others believe it is un-American and disrespectful to kneel during the National Anthem. Well Mr. President, why is okay for you to practice your First Amendment right, while these players remain silent?

Nearly 70 percent of the NFL is comprised of Black players while making over $10 billion in revenue each year with all 32 teams. NFL players are not only athletes, they are role models and leaders to much of the youth in this country, and while they are not obligated to take stance on social issues, they can make an impact and a difference. Many minorities in this country face social injustices on a daily basis and the support that the players are giving Kaepernick and minority communities across the world is amazing, noble, and legendary. These players should not be retaliated on from the United States Government nor the NFL, their jobs should be secure, and they should continue to make a difference and take a stand. Kneeling during the National Anthem is a nonverbal, nonviolent protest that practices the First Amendment right of the players.  For those individuals who believe that this is disrespectful and un-American, is it not just as contradictory and un-American to evoke someone of this right? Furthermore, if we can only expect players to be simple puns for our viewing pleasure, maybe we shouldn't glamorize them in media and put forth billions of dollars into our favorite teams.

It is heartwarming to see these teams all over the country and world unify, and I hope they implement change.