Why Millennials Like to Virtue Signal

Millennials have grown up with the media surrounding them. 
We grew up with 24/7 cable television (MTV first broadcasted the
year I was born) and computers were in our homes. If you didn't

want to shut down media, you didn't have to. All this media

consumption has made us value the way things appear (hello, reality television). Media consumption can distort our perspectives and views.

Generation X was the first generation to not be as financially well

off as their parents, and Millennials have continued the trend. 

America has been an economic powerhouse for generations

but that dynamism seems to dwindle every year. The American family is in absolute disarray. Many Millennials and Gen Zers are forgoing marriage and family.

Previous American generations actually fought wars and injustice. They accomplished great things. Can you list any major American accomplishments in the past 40 years that doesn't involve technology? I think there is deep insecurity there.

So now combine those two issues: A generation who grew

with high media consumption and few accomplishments. Is it

any wonder they are looking for causes to fight about on social media? No wonder many in my generation try to signal their moral superiority. They're living off the accomplishments of previous generations and seeking a way to prove themselves. Well, yeah we didn't build what other previous generations did but at least we're not racists, sexists, homophobic like them. 

I've often noticed the person that boasts the most in the room has accomplished the least. They want to prove themselves productive while actually doing little. That's many in my generation.

The Year of Fear

In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 56:4

If any word can describe 2020 so far it is fear. This has

been a fearful year. Fear of a virus. Fear of the economic consequences of shutting down an economy for several months. Fear of saying the wrong thing on social media can get you canceled. Fear of the social unrest going on our streets. 

I don't know about you but I'm tired of all the fear. The Bible tells us, "Be strong, do not fear!" A life lived in fear is not much of a life. I don't want to live my life in a bubble. I don't want to live my life afraid I may say the wrong thing.

I encourage us to evaluate the things that make us anxious and fearful and how we can deal with them. It might mean cutting down on social media. Getting on our knees to pray when we have those anxious thoughts. 

When the Bible talks about fear it usually contrasts it with courage. In a world living in fear, let's show others what courage looks like.

Only Trade-Offs

There are no solutions, only trade-offs.

- Thomas Sowell

America has been an economic power for a century. Generations of Americans have only known their country as being an economic giant. That soon will end. A common saying from economist Thomas Sowell has been stuck in my head these past few days, "There are no solutions, only trade-offs." In order to become an economic giant, we had to trade-off something. What did we trade-off? 

The answer hit me while I watched a movie that appropriately takes place in a region of the world ready to take America's place as the largest economy, Crazy Rich Asians. The movie is about a Chinese-American, Rachel Chu, meeting her boyfriend's extremely wealthy family in Singapore. Rachel wants to follow her passions. In one striking scene, Rachel is making dumplings with her boyfriend's large family and she mentions she didn't have a big family. Her boyfriend's mother bluntly (and in a judgemental manner) tells Rachel she put aside her career and ambitions to have a large family. (The irony is her boyfriend's mother is willing to put a wedge between her son and his future family so he can be a billionaire businessman.)

That was the trade-off we made: Our families. There is no doubt there has been a systemic dismantling of the American family. While American bank accounts were growing, families were falling apart. About 35% of American adolescents live without one of their parents, and around 40% of American children are born outside of marriage. I think many times we live in this utopian world where there are no trade-offs but in the real world, they exist.  

I want America to continue to be economically prosperous but I want us to reflect on trade-offs. Family is not something you trade-off.

How the Public Relations Industry Created Cancel Culture & Annoying Karen

The public relations industry needs reformation. In its current form, it is extremely dysfunctional and shallow. It is having a deleterious effect on our society. You don't like "cancel culture"? It can be traced to public relations. Tired of "Karens" who want to speak with the manager? The public relations industry helped create her. It treats the public as unsophisticated and easily persuaded. 

Too many times public relations (p.r.) values the appearance of doing something over actually doing something.  Public relations professionals often recommend their clients apologize during a controversy; facts be damned. Someone is mad, so apologize.  I remember one of my communication professors in undergrad telling us that it doesn't matter what we communicated, all that matters is how it was received. In other words, it doesn't matter if the receiver didn't interpret the message correctly. That's the general consensus in many communication/public relations texts.

This is the SAME attitude of our current cancel culture. If a group of people are offended and want to "cancel" a business, celebrity, etc over some opinion, in this public relations paradigm fault lies on the canceled person, not on the easily offended. Nevermind that the offended people are upset over something really trivial or in context the offending incident wasn't as egregious. For example, recently the online mob was demanding Jeffree Star's cancellation because he named a makeup palette "Deceased" during a pandemic. It was so silly. The palette has NOTHING to do with the pandemic and had been in the works even before the virus but it is bad "public relations," I guess. You can never be contrite enough in the public relations world.

Another tenet of public relations is being proactive before any public backlash starts to rear its head. This means you respond immediately before a negative narrative forms. This type of thought might have been useful decades ago before social media but it is no longer feasible. Everyone has a platform now. You can't respond to everything. Being proactive in this environment might actually make you appear guilty of something.

Now on to this new "Karen" meme. P. R. has created an entitled public, where the loudest voices get appeased. The public is always right.  According to LA Times, a Karen is someone who “demands the world exists according to her standards, with little or no regard for others, and she is willing to risk or demean others to achieve her ends.” P.R. has taught us whining gets you what you want. That's why "Karen" wants to speak to your manager because appeasement is easier than actually having to deal with her. God forbid she leaves a negative comment on Yelp, that would be bad public relations.

The Public Society of America defines p.r. as "a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.” It is oftentimes shallow and treats the public as unsophisticated. For example, if a company is accused of exploiting a group of people, the issue is dealt with at a very superficial level. The company will donate to some charity and viola p.r. crisis averted! It can also be argued it creates a mindset like "security theater." The real issue isn't actually being dealt with by the those in charge but it makes the public feel better. 

P.R. needs reformation. Enough with the superficiality. The public is not dumb, they can handle the truth and honest conversations. We live in new times and new strategies need to be developed.

Coronavirus Has Me Thinking About Feminism

The coronavirus has me deeply thinking about feminism and the roles of women in our society. As shelter-in-place orders continue, along with job losses and school closures have led to increased economic anxiety and increased demands on parents’ time. Surveys have consistently found that moms take the lead roles in managing family health and that working moms are more likely than dads to stay home when kids are sick. The coronavirus has many modern women getting a glimpse of what it was like to be a 1950s housewife.

I've also been watching the show Mrs. America on Hulu. The program tells the story of the counter-feminist movement of the 1970s and mainly focuses on the conservative author, Phyliss Schlafly. The program paints feminists as heroes and conservative women as a bunch of hypocrites. No surprise there. However, it does bring up a lot of interesting discussions of the role of women in our society. In the program and in many Hollywood endeavors (I grew up desiring to be Melanie Griffith in Working Woman), women don't find their actualization until they find meaningful employment. Working women are satisfied with their lives, while housewives are desperate and unfulfilled, is often how it is portrayed by Hollywood. Aw, to be Carrie Bradshaw walking down New York City with expensive clothes and shoes with no kids or husband. That is life! Is it though?

Or we tell women you can have everything! You can have the marriage, career, kids. True. But one thing Phyliss Schlafly points out in the show is that, yes, women can have those things but they may come in seasons. There will be a time when you are super-focused on the family. There will be a time when you're super-focused on a career. But that's not what ardent feminists want to hear. Women must be focused on their careers all the time!

Society often tells young women marriage and motherhood can wait, focus on career goals. But isn't it also true a career can wait? Do employers stop employing women after 40? Do colleges not enroll 40-year-old women? People are living well into their 80s these days, it is totally feasible to start a career at 35 and work 30 or 40 years. So why is it that family has to wait for women?

Men and women both have choices when it comes to family and career. I recognize no choice is easy. But I think it is good to have a realistic discussion about these things, not a Hollywood fantasy.

Enough with this "Our Stories" Talk from Hollywood

I'm hearing more of this argument from Hollywood and the entertainment business in general that stories featuring Hispanics have to be told by Hispanics. First, the book American Dirt received backlash because the woman who wrote it is white and it is a fictional tale of immigrants from Mexico. "Not her story to tell!" claim the critics. Nevermind, that it is an outlandish fictional tale, to begin with.

Today I read an interview with America Ferrera in Variety, and she had a bunch of talk about "our stories" as well. She is quoted as stating "So, as a producer, [I’m] bringing opportunity to the Latino community, and helping to build a pipeline for our stories to be seen and to be celebrated and for our talent.” It is so frustrating how Hollywood loves to claim their stories are "our stories," as if Latinos are a monolith. She goes on to praise an upcoming film, In the Heights, that takes place in New York City. I'm a Latina from a small town in Texas, I can assure In the Heights is not my story. See my point? Not every Hispanic in America has the same experience so it comes off as paternalistic when they tell me they're telling "our stories."  

I also want to discuss this current trend of people needing to see themselves reflected in media. I don't get it. I don't feel the need to see myself reflected in media. Most of the people in Hollywood are models and superficial, I'm never gonna relate to that, even if they hire more people of my ethnicity. Seeing a model looking Latina in movies or magazines isn't gonna change how I see myself. 

I don't need Hollywood to validate me, my experiences or opinions.

Is the Democratic Party the Party of Intellectuals?

I've heard more than one Democrat claim their party is intellectual and wonky and that's why they have difficulty communicating with your average voter. Kind of a critique hidden in a boast. But it had me thinking: Is this true? Is the Democratic Party the party of ideas and intellectuals? Hmmm.

The Left does have a stronghold in academia and Democrats do gather a larger portion of the college-educated vote. But does that make them wonky and intellectual? First, I don't believe that academia has the intellectual rigor it used to. Academic standards have greatly decreased. A college degree doesn't mean you've thought vigorously about policy issues. There is superficiality in academia and in all honestly, it can be found in many of our institutions. So it is hard for me to find this as s sufficient argument to claim the Democrats are the party of the intellectuals.

Now let's look at the Democratic leadership, are they more intelligent than their Republican counterpoints? I don't think so. Both parties speak in superficial talking points. I don't find offering more "free" stuff to the public as something that takes incredible talent or acumen. In fact, if anything it probably takes some acumen to explain to the taxpayer what would be deleterious of effects of new programs/spending. As I said I find both parties pretty superficial. I can't recall a speech by Bush, Obama or Trump that had any serious intellectual heft. They ALL think we are stupid.

Maybe the Left makes more reasonable arguments? I find this unpersuasive as well. When so many of their arguments can be summed up by; if you don't agree with me you're a racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. So many debates are shut down by Leftist by saying, "You have no say in the matter because you're not in a historically oppressed group." I don't find that compelling.

Another argument I hear is that conservatives tend to be more religious and that's anti-intellectual. I would like to refute that. Practicing religion is not only a spiritual endeavor but an intellectual one. Religions teach about ethics, justice, and existential questions. I don't know under what basis you can argue that a religious person has thought less about important issues than a secular person since they literally meet on a regular basis to cover an array of serious topics. While superficiality has leaked into American religion just it has in our politics and academia, I wouldn't automatically say it is devoid of intelligence.

Again, I find it hard to believe that the Democrats are just too dang smart for their own good. Not that intelligence is of huge value; I just wanted to reflect on this claim.

What Your Eye Shadow Collection Should Look Like

The beauty business is booming! It seems like everyday a new cosmetics company is born. The YouTube beauty community is really lighting the fire to this cosmetic boom. So before another

beauty guru tell you should get this brand new eye shadow palette, I'm here to tell you probably already in your make up collection.

Here is what your collection should like:

• The classic neutrals palette - The neutral pallete is the like work
  clothes of your make up collection. Simple and not fussy. Most of
  us already this in our collection; so now companies are selling pallettes
  that are mostly neutral but have one pop of color. Don't fall
  for it! That one aqua eye shadow is not worth buy another neutral pallette.
• Side note: So many of the neutral palettes are warm-toned but if you're a
  fair-lady with cool skin undertones, try a cool-toned neutral pallette!
• Jewel-toned pallette - If the neutral pallette is the work outfit, the
  jewel-toned pallette is the fancy going-out dress. A fun blue or green eye
  shadow is especially fun during the holidays!
• Electric/Bright pallette - Well, this one is only for the adventurous types.
  Having some bright colors can be fun but they're not for everyone! If you
  know you are never gonna use a bright yellow or coral color skip this or
  at maybe just buy a single bright eye shadow to test the waters.

And that's all you need! Look at your collection and if you already have

this no need to buy the hot new thing. Hope this helps!

Cultural Depression and Populism

I was listening to a podcast the other day and two intellectual
conservatives were discussing the return of populism in our current political environment. Populism is a range of political approaches that deliberately appeal to "the people," often juxtaposing this group against a so-called "elite." (That definitely sounds familiar!)

The two conservatives were somewhat confounded why populism has made a return during this economic environment since the last time populism had any resonance in the United States was in an economic depression. We're currently NOT in an economic depression.

I have a theory of why populism has found its' footing again in America. No, we are not in an economic depression but perhaps we in a cultural depression? The economic depression of the '30s was largely brought on because the public didn't trust any of the financial institutions.
Slowly but surely in the past 50 years, we have experienced a revolution that has upended the American culture. Our families, neighborhoods, and communities are forever changed. There is a lack of trust in our cultural institutions.

I don't know how anyone can look at the cultural landscape of America and have an upbeat outlook. The Sexual Revolution destroyed the American family. No longer are children born to parents in a stable marriage. Our drug culture sees thousands of people dying of drug overdoses and absolutely decimating whole communities. Americans
aren't volunteering or attending church like previous generations.

Therefore, they don't have that sense of community civic and religious participation brings. Our art (music, movies, fine art) hardly has any redeeming value. Academia is not preparing young minds for real careers but some Utopian made-up world.

Maybe what we are experiencing is a cultural depression, not an economic depression? America is a wealthy nation and has been for a while. What good is wealth if you're disconnected from your family and community? The hard part of achieving the American Dream (finding a well-paying job to support a family) used to be finding a well-paying job but now it seems the family part is going array.

Now back to populism. I think people see all this cultural decay and blame the cultural "elites".  American culture is falling apart and we want to blame somebody instead of ourselves. We're asking for the government to come in and take the place where family, community, faith used to occupy and it's only leaving us more empty and........depressed.

We Need More Steph and Ayesha Curry's

I wanna get married, like the Currys, Steph and Ayesha shit - Cardi B

 

I really don't follow the NBA all too much. The NBA Finals have become an absolute snoozefest since the Golden State Warriors have dominated for a few years now.  So maybe that's why when I tried watching the NBA Finals this year my mind wandered about and it wasn't about basketball.....but how much more Ayesha and Steph Curry's we need in Western society. Let me explain.

No, I'm not saying we need more basketball players with wives that sell cookware. I'm saying we need better images of young, healthy marriages. Marriage is on the decline and it is having harmful societal effects. Marriage is a stabilizing force in a family structure. Research after research shows children do better when mom and dad are in a healthy marriage. While marriage is on the decline across all ethnic backgrounds, it has especially seen a sharp decline in the black community. The Pew Research Center reports that in 2008, 72 percent of black women giving birth were unmarried.

That's more than in any other ethnic group and almost double the amount from 40 years ago.  Let's face it young people are jaded on marriage with so many growing up in broken homes. 

So many portrayals of marriage in the media are rather

negative. You know the image of the nagging wife and her good-for-nothing husband. Steph and Ayesha Curry make marriage look fun! They joke around and have fun playing with their young kids. 

They don't look bored!  Not saying that marriages don't have their challenges but media portrayals tend to focus on the negative aspects of marriage.

There is also this societal myth growing that if you marry before your 30 the marriage is doomed to fail! Steph and Ayesha Curry married in their early twenties and no divorce is imminent. In fact, they're expecting their third child. We tell our young people that their twenties are for having fun and dating as many people as they want. That's a horrible message to send young people if we want them to develop stable, healthy relationships.

I think we need to start promoting marriage and having good

images is a good start. For a multicultural nation having such

a prominent, young and black couple is such a refreshing image.  They're such a modern, young image of a dying institution.