The News Media Needs To Stop

I promised myself after this contentious, angry, soul sucking presidential campaign I would not watch cable news. I needed a break from the pundits twisting and turning things for views, using misleading headlines in order to get people to pay attention. I was tired of the constant fights between supporters and the anger I felt watching people normalize such disgusting behaviour. Yet it’s like I could not look away, I had to watch the analysis and the coverage of this election like how could this happen. In part I do blame the news coverage for the rise of Trump. Les Moonves the head of CBS did an interview saying that Trump was great for the news media; this is simply because he drove up ratings. It is disgusting and it is terrifying that we have normalized such horrible behaviour. Now these same media pundits and anchors are beginning to pardon my language but kiss his ass. The positive news coverage of this megalomaniac is terrifying but what angers me more than that is the anti-protest coverage.

On CNN there have been a handful of anchors, actually asking pundits on the left why are these people protesting, Trump won they should accept it. You’re asking why these people are protesting are you serious, you’ve got to be kidding me. Maybe because he insulted millions of people, and stomped on them in order to further his campaign. Maybe it’s because he tapped into the ugliest parts of humanity, the parts where we are scared of the ‘other’. Maybe it’s because he perpetuated and benefited from a racist lie about the 44^th President of the United States. They shouldn’t be angry that someone who ran his entire campaign on racism, sexism & xenophobia is now the president-elect? They shouldn’t be upset that the DNC screwed Bernie. They shouldn’t be scared that Giuliani, and  Gingrich will hold cabinet positions. They’re are protesting because they’re terrified so instead of being patronizing listen to their pain & fear.So no these protesters should not just be quiet and go away, they have the right to be angry, and they have a right to voice their disdain.

I will never tell anyone to vandalize or set fires while they’re protesting that is never going to help anyone but we should listen to their pain and their worry. Trump has the responsibility to apologize to every single group he offended; he has a responsibility to do better. His language should never be normalized by the press; they should continue to push for him to apologize for the disgusting comments he has made but unfortunately these same comments is a large part of what got him elected.

Sweater Blues

You know that old nasty raggedy piece of clothing that is sitting in the back of your closet. The one you promised yourself you would eventually throw out, the one that has been there for you through thick & thin. The one you could not do without well the time has come for me and my dear hoodie to depart but why is it so hard for me to say goodbye to a piece of clothing? I brought this grey Nike hoodie when I was 15 years old; I often used this sweater during my tenth grade dance class where I was really bad dancer and clumsy. It has lasted an astounding ten years.

It is a comfy, bleach and hair dye stained mess but it provides me solace. Going through High School & University wasn’t the easiest trek for me. I had a lot of insecurities & often time sabotaged myself before fate could do it for me. But this sweater was warm it reminded that life goes on, it was my comfort blanket when I didn’t get into University when I first applied when I was 17 years old. I cried and hugged myself; it was safety when I was having a tough time in University and undergoing mild depression. This sweater was there for me when I had to break it to my father I was no longer going to Law School & had to deal with his disappointment. I wore it many nights after I applied to Teacher’s College terrified that I would not get in & praying that I would. It survived years of torture from the washer and dryer and it here it stands a coloured mess but carries this warmth that no other piece of clothing has provided me.

Nonetheless, as I enter a quarter of a century, I need to do some growing up, some fall cleaning and I now know it is time to send my beloved hoodie to sweater heaven. As I near the end of this article I realize some may find me speaking about a piece of clothing as if it was animal, a child, or a significant other somewhat stupid.  These same people might be rolling their eyes but others will understand the pain of letting go. Letting go of something you have loved for years but realizing you will find another to sweater to cry into, to spill ice cream on as I watch reruns of Gilmore Girls on Netflix, another sweater to love. These sweaters will never be the off grey Nike hoodie that I brought during my joyful often angst fueled youth but they will do.

Hello Blogging World

Welcome to Resilient Mind. I wanted to create a blog that discusses issues that are important to me. Blogging has been cathartic, a form of release from my everyday stresses. As the years have gone by and life has thrown me one curve ball after another I decided to stop blogging for a couple of months. A couple of months then became a couple of years. So it is quite difficult to jump back on the horse but I do miss the simple pleasure of sharing my thoughts and ideas. Twitter is usually my main source of intellectual and opinionated output but how much can you really say in 140 characters.

I’ve named this blog Resilient Mind for a reason, I wanted tap into that mindset that we all have when we are pushed against the wall and facing adversity. We all become resilient and push through the difficult times. All though this blog will tackle a variety of issues and topics, I wanted for my readers to understand why I chose that name and how important the word resilience is to me as an attribute & as a way of life. It is a character and a mindset that I strive be. When life rips us to shreds we have to cope and learn how to build ourselves back together & deal with whatever comes our way.

All opinions on this blog are my own. There will be certain blog post that are more academic and others will not be. I would love and appreciate any comments, suggestions, as well as criticism you may have.

Thank you all for reading. I hope you have a wonderful day and remember to smile.

Love always,

R.A