Crime and the Media Essay -- essays research papers

Crime and the MediaThe public depends on the news media for its understanding of crime. Reportedly three quarters (76%) of the public say, they form their opinions near crime from what they see or read in the news (Dorfman & Schiraldi, 2001). After reviewing five hours of reality crime television shows, one is left with a very dismal look on society and a prejudice towards minorities as they are largely depicted as the perpetrators of crime. This new genre unremarkably referred to as reality television appears to be sweeping the nation by storm. Opinions vary, depending on whom you ask, to what extent reality plays a role versus the selling of a product. Sensationalism, advertising, ratings hype, compose and fear all comprise the mass medias marketing strategy to America. Sadly, what we see portrayed by television shows such as COPS have contributed largely and in some cases unjustly to the prejudices that are present today.The predominant races of the suspects portrayed in the episodes of COPS were African Americans (Langley, 2005). The predominant genders of the suspects were male. However, the may 5, 2005, episode of COPS featured an exclusive on COPS injurious Girls (Langley, 2005). Combining the special episode with the four and a half hours of regular viewing of COPS the numbers still reflect the predominance of suspects featured are African American males (Langley, 2005). In cardinal cases out of the nineteen viewed, the suspects were Caucasian, and the reason for the stop was discontinue tags. This stop was handled much differently than the previous stop. The officers were not aggressive when they approached the car, and the calamity proceeded in a civilized manner. Ironically, in the scene prior to the present, the officers had observed an African American suspect in a drug area with expired tags, and the encounter was very different. A car chase ensued, an ultimate arrest with the suspect forced to the ground in an aggressive manner, search ed, and hand cuffed. The officers suggest to the audience their suspicions that drugs may be involved. Ultimately, their suspicions prove correct when the cameras capture the crack cocaine hidden in the pants of the suspect. Of the crimes, featured 90% were drug related and 10% were associated with domestic crimes. On the COPS episode aired on May 6, 2005, the suspect, African American observed in an undercover sti... ...stice system. Dr. West points out The urgent job of black poverty is primarily due to the distribution of wealth, power, and income-a distribution influenced by the racial caste system that denied opportunities to most "qualified" black people until two decades ago. (West, 1994. p. 93-5). Clearly, economics contributed to the criminal propensities of the suspect viewed. The African American suspects compared to their counterparts, appeared scary, drug crazed and out of control. While it is unfortunate, people still believe, if it is on television it must be true. Reality crime television provides a false sense of legitimacy. Those that watch the show, often forget that in the final analysis, it is television, and the main point of television programming is to entertain, sell advertisement and achieve the best ratings possible. ReferencesDorfman, L, & Schiraldi, V. (2001). Off balance youth, race & crime in the news. Building Blocks for Youth Law Center. Retrieved May 5, 2005, from www.buildingblocksforyouth.orgLangley, J. (Producer). (2005). COPS. (Television series). New York Fox.West, C. (1994). Race matters. New York Vintage Publishers.

Rescue Of Susanna :: essays research papers

The Rescue of Susanna &type A9&9&9&9&9&9&9&9In the story of Susanna in the unseas nonpareild Testament of the Bible many valuable lessons ar learned. The story begins by describing the wife of a man named Joakim, the beautiful Susanna. She had been taught according to the law of Moses and was very righteous. Because her maintain was very rich the two elders who were appointed judges often were often there and anyone with a lawsuit came to them there. Susanna would spend the long afternoons in the large tend adjacent to the house. The two elders sometimes watched her and they both secretly began to desire her. Their minds turned from what was holy and they only thought of her. They later developed a plan so that they could lie with her, sneaking into the garden when she was bathing, they threatened to testify that there was a young man in there with her if she did not lie with them. Being the ego respecting woman that she was she answered, "I am hemmed i n on every side. For if I do this thing, it is death for me and if I do not, I shall not escape your hands. I choose not to do it and to fall into your hands, rather than to sin in the sight of the Lord." When the servants hear about this they are very surprised because nothing ilk this has ever been said of her before however they trust their elders and listen to them. As Susanna is being carried to her death God hears her prayers and aroused the hold spirit of a young lad named Daniel. Daniel pointed out the weaknesses in the two elders stories and the Jews rose against them.This story is memorable for several reasons. One is the fact that Susanna doesnt give in to the elders requests even when they threatened her life and her reputation. She has impressive faith in God and trusts him to make everything right. Another reason this story is memorable is how Daniel risked his own life by standing up against the elders to defend a woman whom he did not even know. His faith in God is also very impressive.There are many lessons which can be taken from this story, some more obvious than others. One that plays an important role in our society today is the rule that one is innocent until proven guilty.

Treatments for Depression Essay -- Biology Essays Research Papers

Treatments for beliefClinical depression is a disease that involves feelings of sadness lasting for longer than two weeks and is often accompanied by a loss of interest in life, hopelessness, and decreased energy. (3) Depression affects 340 million people in the creation today. One in every 4 women and one in every 10 men develop depression during their lifetime. About half the cases of depression be untreated and about 10 to 15 percent of all depressed people commit suicide. (4) There are many another(prenominal) different types of depression including study depression, Bipolar Disorder, Dysthymia, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and there are different degrees of depression ranging from less severe to major severe. (3) There are various ship canal to treat depression, but what most people do not know is that depression is one of the most treatable mental illnesses.There are a admixture of drugs called antidepressants which help to increase certain neurotransmitters in your brain. There are also various types of counseling, psychotherapy, self-help techniques, and alternative therapies to help a person overcome depression. In many cases, doctors combine different forms of therapies and treatments to produce the best result in depression cases. (1) The most widely used therapy today is antidepressants. Antidepressants are usually divided into terce categories Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA), and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MOAI). (1) SSRIs raise the level of serotonin in the brain because low levels of this neurotransmitter have been connected to depression. TCAs increase the level of noradrenaline in the brain. MOAIs increase the levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in ... ... because of the many dangerous side affects associated with them. Maybe one day there will be a retrieve for depression just as we are searching for a cure for cancer or AIDS, and then people will not have to accept with this disease that causes them to lose 10 percent of the productive years during their lives.(4)References1)Depression Treatment and Helphttp//www.about-depression.com/treatments-for-depression/treatment-overview.php2)50+Health-Home/Treatments for Depressionhttp//www.50plushealth.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4613)Other Treatments for Depressionhttp//www.ehealthmd.com/library/depression/DEP_other.html4)Depression- Net, Info on Depressionhttp//www.depression-net.com/5)Major Depressive Disorder Treatmenthttp//www.mentalhealth.com/rx/p23-md01.htmlHead_26)Depression Treatment http//www.apa.org/journals/anton.html