Cartoon 877: Badge

It seems that institutionalized grievous acts in our society are suddenly surfacing. The question is why? Things such as police shooting of minorities, deportation extremes, and targeting for sub prime rates have come to light. Why now? They have been happening for decades.

The answer is the media. There is a “gentleman’s agreement” on what to avoid among the major media. But the advent of new media channels is the “fly in the ointment”. Social media can spread incidents far and wide. YouTube videos can go viral. The mainstream media is having a hard time adjusting. It often is playing catch up while trying not to alienate its local constituents. The same is true for international news. American orthodoxy in choice and the actual message is losing out to new media like “Vice”. It is popular because it tackles hard subjects that sometimes plays against American political views.

Things done successfully in the dark are being treated to the light. There is a translated version of an old Chinese proverb, “it is better to light one candle than curse the dark”.