I had an extremely difficult time deciding what I was going to write about for this entry. In fact, I had a whole different topic picked out. I had several other topics that were close runner-ups, also. For some reason, I just could not choose what I should write about. Call it divine intervention if you'd like, but many of my journalist friends would call it writer's block.
At first, I thought it had something to do with personal matters (my late grandma's birthday), and it may have partially been that. I am sure that didn't help much.. But, I also think it has something to do with the mass shooting in Florida just two days ago, as well as the multiple reports of kids being caught with weapons and threats in the days following.
My sister, Tiffany Jarrett, always says the cutest phrase to describe herself, "I can't help it. I'm Chief Tinderfoot." I laugh at her every time she says it, but in all honesty we have that in common. I feel things to the extreme. It's always been one of my biggest weaknesses. When something happens to me, good or bad, I feel it in the hardest possible way. I used to cry at the drop of a dime, but that has changed since being on my new medication. When something exciting happens, I shake and my teeth chatter. I am like a little kid with buck fever.
So, naturally, every time I hear of a shooting I have a tiny breakdown. I feel it. Of course, my emotions are no where near the people involved with the victims or the incident. I would never claim that sort of emotional status, and anyone who does has never experienced trauma. But, I mourn. I imagine it's a mourning much like the country experienced with 9/11. I wasn't old enough to remember all of that. I was the age that some of my friends do remember while others have no clue what happened to them that day.
My point is, although I beat around the bush a little here, I think that it's consumed my mind. It's all I have been able to think or talk about. What are the solutions? Why can't people see that America has an issue many other countries do not have? Is there a solution?
I don't have the answer to any of these questions, unfortunately. One thing is for sure, my Facebook feed has been filled with ideals on both sides of the issue. I usually take time to read either side, but I try my best to not share my beliefs on my page. I don't see the point, personally, and I don't want the drama. I will share small tidbits, but I keep to myself and my closest friends/family for the most part. However, one post did catch my eye for the "Fake news?" bit, and I saved it like I do many questionable subjects. It was a screen shot of a tweet:
My first instinct was a sharp breath. Almost like an, "OUCH, why would you say that?" Then again, is this true? I'll be honest, my gut instinct is yes, but I am taking time to look more into this. I think that, if it were true, this is something Americans should take a big step back from and contemplate on further.
To really break this down and check the facts, I figured we should look at reputable sources for each ranking mentioned. Mr. King starts with education, so I went over to the trusty ol' Google machine and took a gander.
The first site to pop up was Master and More's post titled "Top 40 education systems in the world". This looked promising to me. How bad could the United States be in the grand scheme of things? Our education system couldn't possibly be as bad as countries that barely have a system.. I know, a truly American way to think.
The list has the US at number 14. We ranked below South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Finland, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, Poland, Denmark, Germany, and Russia- in that order. But, at least aren't number 40! *insert laugh track here*
The second issue King mentions is America's healthcare system. Surely it couldn't be THAT bad, right?
The very first post on Google came from U.S. News titled "Obamacare Isn't One of the Top 10 Public Health Care Systems in the World". The list didn't show every country's healthcare system ranking, of course, but it showed a top 10. Surely the U.S. made one of those spots? Wrong. We didn't even hit number 10. I personally host exchange students in my home every year, so this came as no surprise to me. Our healthcare system is outdated in comparison to other countries, and our economic standing isn't any better because of it despite popular beliefs.
Next, we go into economic equality. Before I show my results for this search, though, I'd like to explain what economic equality is in case anyone reading doesn't have an understanding.
Economic equality, according to Business Dictionary, is the situation in an economy in which the apportionment (division and sharing) of resources or goods among the people is considered fair. Wait a second, you mean our country doesn't help out all the citizens fairly and equally? But FOOD STAMPS AM I RIGHT?! Apparently, we only think we help our poor enough. Apparently, those crazy liberals have something kind of right!
According to TOP COUNTRIES ON ECONOMIC EQUALITY by Sustainability For All, America doesn't even hit the top 10 countries... again. Our economic equality doesn't even touch that of many European countries on the chart. We constantly hear how there is too much aid for our poor, and President Trump just introduced a new box food program to replace the aid we already had in place. Yet, here we are not even hitting the top 10 equality rankings in a country where all men are created equal. It just seems strange to me.
Last but not least, King says America does, finally, reach #1 in two different categories: mass shootings and mass incarceration. Dang, we are overachievers. But is this true? I want to deny it, but I just honestly didn't know the facts myself. It ate at me to not have it all laid out. Back to Google!
The very first article was from CNN.com. At first, I was reluctant to use an article by CNN. Personally, I saw very biased tendencies from CNN and Fox News during the election. However, I believe the organization is very down the middle with news reporting, and I feel confident in using the site as a source for my blog.
Not only was the CNN article the first search result, it is the most up to date being only 19 hours old as I type this. The article broke down many different gun statistics, but the one most related to our fact finding quest was the fact that America holds only 5% of the worlds population, but we also hold 31% of global mass shootings.
I was born and raised in a pro-gun home. In fact, I do not label myself as anti-gun in the least bit. This statistic, though, makes my heart ache. It truly hurts me to know that we hold the championship for mass shootings. I can't believe the home of the brave is filled with the top statistics of cowardice.
King also says America holds the #1 spot in mass incarcerations. According to the Washington Post, the US had the highest prison population rate at 716 people per 100,000 while the rest of the world averaged at around 150 for 100,000.
So, as it turns out, this weeks "Fake news?" is, in fact, not fake news. America may not have the highest education, economical equality, or best healthcare. But there is one thing we know we love, our guns and our prisons.
What are your thoughts on this weeks post? Feel free to leave a comment below or on Facebook!
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