Week 12: One Animal's Life

Lucy

Our first dog

I was three years old when we got our first dog. Through a collection of my own memories, and those my mother told me, I remember the day well. Another family did not want her-- a beagle mix that hadn't yet reached a year old. But, for a puppy so young, she came with an abundance of problems. She had a broken leg that rendered her helpless, and hindered everything she did. She wore a cone around her head and wore a plastic bag around the leg every time she wanted outside. "An accident," the family told us. But the longer she stayed in our house, the more apparent her fear became. She slinked around us, cowering at my father's voice, running away when my sister and I played. She'd been in 3 homes before ours. For months, it was like she wouldn't let herself become comfortable with us, like she was afraid that she would have to move to the next family. She'd been unwanted for so long.

She lived in our house for fifteen years. I like to think she was happy with us. We loved her as much as we could, but her distance was lifelong. The years before us, as a puppy without love, a puppy that was probably abused, affected her entire life. I was three years old when I learned that people could be cruel. However, it wasn't until many years later that I understood it.

I like to think she was lucky to find us. She got a good home, with people that loved her, and all the food and treats she could ever want. But there are still many animals that are not lucky.

 In 2008, a St. Bernard dog chewed off her own leg to escape a cord she'd been entangled in. In Ohio, 2008, a dog underwent surgery to have a chain removed from its neck-- the result of being chained up for weeks on end. Several were doused in flammable fluid and burned to death. It can come in the form of animal testing, abuse, and neglect, but it is not limited to just those. From Lucy, my spunky but damaged beagle mix, to the animals I see in shelters, animal cruelty is still a frequent occurrence. Each year, 67,000 animals are subjected to animal testing, over a million are abused, and millions are neglected-- but thousands more go unreported (Humane Society).

It's stories like these that make me so, so angry. The law is not good enough for them. They don't deserve a few months jail time, a slap on the wrist, or a fine. They deserve to suffer the same way they made those animals suffer. It's injustice, plain and simple. And sometimes, in the wake of such knowledge, it is hard to not feel helpless.

But when I look at my dog curled army feet, the puppy my sister recently adopted, the formally stray cats that make a home on our beds, I know that they have good lives. Maybe we even saved them from worse fates.

One person, one animal's life; it makes a difference. Go home, pet your dog, snuggle your cat, stare at your fish. Know that you made a difference for them. Go out and adopt a pet from a shelter, one that didn't know love before you. Donate to the shelters so they can continue to save strays and abused animals. Don't stand by blind and silent. Know the signs of neglect and abuse, because you can be sure, it's still out there.

Oakley: The 4 month old             Tucker: The two year old (handsome) boy              Sophie: the 7
rescue puppy from a Detroit        from a Wayne County shelter                                   year old cat,
animal shelter                                                                                                                     found on an
                                                                                                                                              overpass

Resources:
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/animal-cruelty-facts-and-stats
https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/cruel-practices/chaining-dogs/neglected-chained-dogs/

Week 11: Focus

I found a blogger by the name of Robin Morgan. I was immediately intrigued by her first post. She spoke of the importance of the US census. I had just recently learned about how the census is what the government uses to allocate funds to towns and districts. It is also used to assign representatives to states based on population. The value of the census is not immediately obvious and that prevents people from taking it seriously. Morgan's plea to consider it's importance even as we face this pandemic was wise. She also gave some sound advice for dealing with social distancing, such as how many museums and zoos are providing virtual tours. She spoke about focusing on the positive and using your hobbies as a form of therapy.

Robin Morgan's main blog theme is politics and feminism. She talks at length about topics like the MeToo movement to the resignation of congresswomen Katie Hill. Most of her content is focused on woman's issues and she provides a calm perspective into many of these topics that are often thought of as younger woman's issues. I'm glad to see our mentors still have a voice in the community. I think it is important to listen to those who have fought the good fight before you because they can offer clarity and a different viewpoint. I think her blog is speaking to those who agree with her brand of feminism and those who wish to learn more about these issues.


https://www.robinmorgan.net/blog/comfort-zone/

https://www.robinmorgan.net/activism/

Veganism

I have chosen to talk about Veganism.

I am vegan for ethical reasons. The suffering and death of animals in the meat/dairy industry is morally bankrupt, unsustainable and horrific for the ecosystem of the earth. However, I am also vegan for health reasons.

There is overwhelming evidence to support veganism as a healthier diet than an omnivorous diet. Veganism was the only diet shown to have reversed coronary artery disease, which is one of the leading causes of deaths in the United States, claiming over half a million lives a year according to some sources.

There is no essential nutrient that humans need that only exist in animal products. And actually animal products in general is shown to cause inflammation in the body. A vegan diet gets a bad rap because many people who try it don't feel good on the diet. That is for many reasons. Many eat too little in general, or too much fatty plant foods and not enough carbs, etc. A well planned plant based diet will fulfill all your nutrient needs and is safe to practice in any stage of life people are in, as confirmed by the American Dietetic Association.

I believe everyone should, at the very least, try giving up on meat a try. You will be joining a group of millions of people worldwide who have gone fully plant based, and the vegan community is Rising extremely rapidly, as more people are becoming aware of the health benefits of not killing animals for  food. You body and soul will be so much better for it.

Week 11: The Greatest

I found the blog, Greatest. It is a health and fitness blog that fights against misinformation common within these topics. They employ mostly logos to engage their readers. I think that they are trying to appeal to a general audience that would otherwise not pay attention to the minute details of fitness.

Week 11: Saving that $$

https://www.miss-thrifty.co.uk/ is the blog that I found that gathers information and then shares it with the world.

In this blog, the writer, "miss thrifty" gives great details on how to save money when the budget is running tight. These things include how to spend money around the holiday season and cheap ways to decorate a themed bedroom.

This lovely lady motivates her readers to do the most with the least by giving them tips and tricks to get through. She makes sure to throw in the occasional "never give up" or something along those lines.

Week 11: Disposable Diapers

Today in my search for a persuasive blog I stumbled upon Katherine Martinko's, treehugger.  She's a very green friendly woman, looking for new way to teach others about eco-friendly lifestyles.  In this particular blog I have attached here:
https://www.treehugger.com/family/problem-diaper-composting.html
She talks about the waste of diaper composting as opposed to just using a reusable diaper.

The particular company she targets for composting is called DYPER.  They use UPS shipping routes to take dirty diapers, they specifically designed themselves for this process, across the country to a composting site.  And while Martinko agrees that this isn't an awful start to creating a more green environment, she argues that the emission of fossil fuels it takes to deliver these clean diapers, and then ship the dirty ones to the compost site, is hardly worth the effort.

Through her contact with the CEO of the program she was able to get a better understanding of the process written above, but it only left her with more denial.  Her belief was that in order to make an item like diapers truly eco-friendly, you must put in a little more work with reusable cloth diapers.  She used her personal experience to explain that she used cloth diapers for all three of her children.  On top of not creating waste, she was also saving money by not buying diapers.  A win-win.

I actually quite enjoyed reading about this, because I understood where she was coming from.  Especially in this time where everyone is hoarding toilet paper.  I've already joked about having to use reusable cloths for myself in the bathroom if I was unable to get actual toilet paper.  And honestly, thinking about it now, reusable cloths would probable be great for the environment as well.  Instead of constantly flushing dirty paper out to the ocean, we could simply clean the cloths and reuse them.  It would probably be a little harder, but it's food for thought.

Anyway, Martinko was smart about writing this blog.  She went and collected facts from the company about the process and interlaced her own thoughts and opinions about its overall effects.  She brought up alternative ideas to maybe enhance the composting process or remove it altogether.  This blog is targeted for people with children I'm assuming.  Most people don't bother reading about diaper blogs, unless they're having to deal with diapers on a regular basis.

Regardless, she strives for a greener place, and hopes to find a better solution to diaper composting, rather than shipping it all over the country.  I mean, if Martinko can raise three children, all using the same reusable cloths, why can't we?  She even remarks about a whole country doing the same process.  As her closing statement said, "there's good reason why the island nation of Vanuatu banned disposable diapers outright."  We can do better than disposable, it's really not that hard, especially if a whole nation can do it.

Week 11:How to Make It Big with Blogging (Mom Edition)

Heather (she does not disclose her last name) is a stay at home mom of 2 little ones, and a full-time blogger, runs the Very Anxious Mommy Blog. She uses her blog to discuss her personal experiences of motherhood, and the experiences that have been offered to her by others. One particular post 10 Inspiring Mom Blogs You Should Be Following If You Want to Make Money highlights 10 different mommy bloggers and how they approach the hustle.

She begins by saying she never thought she would have her own blog, much less one that makes her an income, but here she is! Using her personal journey and the journey of other mom bloggers, she aims to show readers that it is possible for anyone to begin a blog and make it into a full time, profitable career. I think her blog certainly has a clearly defined demographic, however, I do believe that anyone who wanted to begin blogging could benefit from reading specific posts that discuss how to turn blogging into your career.

Week 11: Secure, Contain, Protect

http://www.scp-wiki.net/
WARNING: Lots of horror, with all dark things associated with that

This site is called SCP - which stands for Secure, Contain, Protect. While technically it isn't a blog or a single-person writing platform at that, the Wikipedia-like nature of it I think is both intriguing and helpful. The site is a nexus for people to write together and create a shared world that is under the Creative Commons license, using community-made writings and forums to help writers find inspiration for terrifying creatures or even create their own and flex their skills.

The concept of SCP follows that there is a secretive Foundation that secures anomalous materials, creatures, and even fully sapient human-like beings. This allows anyone who can write a relatively decent article to propose an item and participate in the public forum of creating something that can be used by anyone and everyone who has access to it.

While it may seem like a project devoid of uses with the concept of Gladwell's Revolution, I believe it allows any individuals who want to participate to create together and form a community around horror. Writers from around the globe can come together and participate to a world, and the SCP Foundation has become influential in the world of horror even today, with large-budget video games and even movies being partially influenced by the world of the SCP wiki, notably the video game Control and the cult-classic movie Cabin in the Woods.

Week 11: The ripples in the lake create the waves

As I searched for a blog I felt was at the forefronts of a movement I felt that it was hard to find something to really connect to. That wasn't overtly trying to be vulgar for clicks but wasn't just a news article with no personality. I came across two blogs that felt as though they were trying to spread awareness in a way that felt needed and I was drawn to them. The first one was a blog called My fabulous disease run by a man named Mark S. King.

https://marksking.com

He uses this blog to detail his life as someone who is HIV positive and a recovering drug addict. He talks on a variety of topics but the article that drew me in the most was when he urged people to stop comparing the HIV/AIDS pandemic to coronavirus. He talks of the knowledge and precautions that are being taken. How the government immediately intervened when during the AIDS pandemic was happening no one in power bothered to even acknowledge the existence of the thousands who were dying. That was a powerful post that urged people to check how they saw the current situation of our society. He is influencing how people still have a prejudice against people with HIV/AIDS.

The other blog I found to be exciting to read was a blog called Raising My Rainbow by Lori Duron.

https://raisingmyrainbow.com

It's a blog that chronicles her adventures in raising a gender creative son. This blog feels like activism in a small way. It's not about changing bills on capital hill. It's just about providing a place for people to learn more about what it's like to be gender non comforting. And its also a place for other parents who also have children who are questioning their gender identity to see a positive way to let their child explore gender.

My personal favorite post was from CJ himself talking about gender has a social construct. He said he prefers to go by male pronouns but his gender expression is female, meaning he dresses and looks more feminine. In the article he says "To me, gender is over. Gender is so last year." This made me smile. It's not about starting a twitter revolution over everything. Although social media is a great tool to use some activism comes from the clothes you put on in the morning or the selfie you post. It's about all the ripples in the lake that create the waves. 

Week 11 - Life and its Uncertainty

Life as we know it has changed over the past few weeks.  We used to be able to leave our house to go out with friends and family members whenever we wanted to.  Can we still do that today? Is that possible?  What is this life that I am referring to?  Well recently, we have been ordered to not leave our homes only if we are going out for essential needs, and not non-essential needs.  The continual impact of the coronavirus is one that has changed how I have been able to live my life and how I conduct my daily routines.  I am sure this is the same for many others that are being impacted by this unprecedented virus.

Looking at this unprecedented event in our lives today, I think of those that are high school seniors and may not be able to graduate this year.  I know as a high school senior last year, that was the year I remember the most and the times I remember the most with my friends and my family.  Today, there are high school seniors who may not be able to experience that same kind of excitement and joy that I had last year.   What could be done to help these high school seniors and other high schoolers to finish the reminder of this year.

In a blog written by, Kellie Lauth, The Pillars of Leadership during Uncertainty, she talks about the life of education online and not in the classroom.  Kellie, discusses how businesses for the past few years have already been using social media and electronic communication systems to communicate with each other on a daily business. She references the usage of Zoom, Skype and other video messaging services that have been around for years.   Kellies explains that “As we all scramble for how to connect our students and communities, we also cannot lose sight of how we connect our colleagues and teams together to ensure professional support and learning is not halted.”  She also looks at the human element that must be addressed when it comes to online learning or using a platform that is online, very similar to this course. The reference in the blog is one that focuses on there being a level of interaction between the student and the educator so that there is a means of understanding and knowledge of the material. “Companies can learn from educators and school leaders on what it means to build community and support a wide variety of stakeholders. Transformation of any kind for any organization takes courage.”

So, what is life as we know it?  Well it is one that has to change with the times. Today, we are experience a life that we never expected or would have known about. So, we have to find ways to adapt and change. But this means that systems around us that we rely on have to do the same. As a college student, this is not new for me, the online learning. This is what I am used to but for a high schooler or a senior this is all new and is not what he/she was probably expecting. So, the life that I speak of is one that government and local educators have to recognize and implement moving forward.

Kellie Lauth, blogs is one that appeals to all readers in my opinion.  She writes to get the attention of leaders in the education sector.  However, she also writes to get the attention of young adults and students so that each of them is able to start to understand and learn about how online learning is and what it would take to be successful at online learning. In the beginning of the blog she refers to organizations and their understanding and usage of social media and the learning devices but then relates that back to education and what needs to be done in our education at a lower level.  Her message is one that is very relevant, especially based on what we are experiencing now, but also because of the fact that there is business that can be conducted through social media.  Therefore, if a business can be conducted why can’t levels of education in the event, we have an uncertainty like we have now arise.



Laiuth, Kellie, “Pillars of Leadership during Uncertainty”, https://www.mymindsparklearning.org/blog-2/leadership-in-uncertain-times

Week 11: "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", But It Can Be Advertised

A social justice issue I have always been very drawn to is the idea of Criminal Justice Reform. It is important to recognize that when an individual is subjected to the Criminal Justice System, even if they do only slightly brush paths, it can have impeding effects on the entirety of their lives.

Although many people have conflicting opinions of Kim Kardashian West, I applaud her interest in Criminal Justice Reform and believe that she offers a pleasant example of a celebrity who was able to use their platform in order to bring awareness to such an issue. While Kim K has been consistently present in the media, advocating for the release of inmates that were assigned unfair sentences, she has turned interest towards the idea of Criminal Justice Reform.

My favorite non-profit organization, The Innocence Project, has similarly utilized an online platform to bring awareness to, and advocate for Criminal Justice Reform. While The Innocence Project is already a non-profit legal organization, this website effectively utilizes the online platform as a way to bring awareness to the acts of injustice that have been committed within the Criminal Justice System.

The Innocence Project was founded in 1992, with the goal to "exonerate the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice". Ways in which The Innocence Project is able to exonerate the wrongly convicted often has to do with a focus on past DNA evidence. The NPO's legal team will dissect a client's case who was previously convicted based on DNA evidence, and advocate for retesting. This organization often emphasizes the reality of unreliable eye-witness testimonies, in which many of their clients have been wrongly incarcerated as a result of.

In order to bring awareness to this unfortunate glitch in the justice system, The Innocence Project has dedicated a blog to a selection of cases in which they have successfully exonerated their clients from wrongful conviction. By incorporating this type of blog into the website of this NPO, this allows for The Innocence Project to present a more personal account of the lives that have been impacted by wrongful convictions. In sharing these stories, this organization is able to motivate readers and followers to discover what they can do to alleviate the problem.

A particular post that stood out to me was the case of Marvin Anderson. The post shares how Anderson tragically spent 20 years behind bars, as he was finally exonerated and proven innocent in 2002. Marvin Anderson was originally charged with rape, abduction, sodomy and robbery in 1982, where the article states that, "a young woman was raped by a black man whom she said was a total stranger. After she reported the crime, a police officer singled out Anderson as a suspect because the perpetrator had told the victim that he “had a white girl,” and Anderson was the only black man the officer knew who lived with a white woman" (2020). This post then goes into detail to provide a chilling account of the crime, as well as Anderson's struggle to prove his innocence.

This blog implements the rhetorical strategy of pathos, as the content written in this post offers an emotionally telling tale of Anderson's struggles, and also evokes emotion in the reader. For me personally, reading about Anderson's struggles caused me to feel frustration towards the justice system, and also empathy for Anderson as he unfortunately was wrongly placed in an environment for 20 years that will have detrimental effects on his life forever.

Towards the end of this post, the content under the heading "Life After Exoneration" was especially motivating and inspiring for me as the reader. This section states that,

"From a young age, Anderson’s dream had been to become a firefighter and right before he was convicted, Anderson was in the process of going through the academy to become a professional fireman. Today, he serves as Chief of the Hanover, Virginia Fire Department, where he oversees a team of 30 people. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Innocence Project and has three children, two sons and a daughter." 

                                                       (The Innocence Project, 2007)

While The Innocence Project is already composed of a team of dedicated lawyers, by sharing the basis of their work, they are able to engage the general population and bring awareness for the need of Criminal Justice Reform. This touching story of Anderson's life after exoneration especially incorporates strategies of emotional appeal. This particular post motivates the reader to advocate for policy reformation in order to ensure that others don't have to share similar experiences to Anderson's; to live in a world where it is easier to be convicted of a crime you did not commit, rather than being able to get a job that allows you to serve and save the lives of the public is mortifying.

This blog is effective in raising awareness to Criminal Justice Reform, and sharing stories like Anderson's allow the reader to understand that it is possible for change to happen. The success of these clients shows that mistakes can be made within the Criminal Justice System, but they can also be undone. If they share the stories of the lives that have been affected by this particular issue, they can persuade their audience to follow in their footsteps and fight for these individuals as well.

On a final note, each post written for these cases includes the same link to share the story at the bottom of the screen as depicted below.

By including this, the writer offers an easy way for the reader to get involved. By just merely sharing this link to a social media account, it can be inferred that we have the ability to implement change.
Whether the audience has a degree in law or is just your average Joe, these stories leave a lasting impact on the reader, and do have the ability to motivate an audience to become passionate about a particular social issue. By engaging in "sharing" the story, we can change the world.

As Gil Scott-Heron once sang, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", may we recognize that you have to change your mind before you can change the world. While technology may not be the "true" revolution, it has the ability to spark the change that begins the real one.

Week 11: Social Innovation

One thing that is very important to me and I think is incredibly important for our young people is education. But throughout this country there are gaps and inequality in the educational system that benefit individuals in certain socio-economic classes while putting others at a disadvantage. These barriers and inequalities perpetuate a cycle that widens the gap when change is not enacted.

A site that I found which touched on this topic is education post (www.educationpost.org). This site breaks the topic into what it considers that "Top Issues" in education, "Features" which are specific to teachers, parents, students, etc., and then "Featured Bloggers."

In one post in particular on March 23, 2020 blogger Jay Wamstead discusses how the inequality between students isn't a new problem, it is something that is being highlighted by the recent pandemic outbreak of Covid-19. Next to the photo of the author is his qualifications as an educator as well as where his work has been featured which creates a sense of his authority/credibility on the subject.

He brings in quotes from author C.S. Lewis to relate a quote about World War II and relates it to how war doesn't create a new situation, rather it "aggravates the permanent human situation so that we can no longer ignore it." He writes about assumptions that he is making - that someone who is reading the blog post probably has the time and resources to utilize the internet and technology to stay, mostly, up to speed with their education. But he then turns his argument to those that are not at the same advantage level as a middle-class families with the resources to participate in the educational system during these challenging times.

He writes about his family and how they are going to be fine during these times. He writes about his students and how he worries about those that don't have the economic resources and support systems at home to stay up to speed with their peers.

I think utilizing his credentials, discussing his family's situation, and most of his students (who fall into lower-income categories) will fall behind, he creates a compassionate plea for equality in the educational system. He ends by asking what society (and particularly those reading the blog) will do about the inequalities that exist for many disadvantaged children in America.

Largely I felt like this site appeals to parents, educators and individuals who are concerned about the important role that education plays in society and that the playing field needs to be leveled so that no child is without the same opportunity for a quality education. School may not be for everyone. We all take slightly different paths, but we should all have the same opportunities and not have to start the race with our legs tied together.

Week 11: A Better Earth a Better You

"Better for your health, better for your piggy bank, better for the rest of the planet, and possibly better for your mood. There are a lot of reasons to bike. Do you really need another?" (Shahan, 2014). 

We all have some sort of passion for sustainability and helping the environment. Whether it is riding a bike to work every day or staying active for at least an hour, we all seek ways of prosperity.

Treehugger is a blog that consists of a wide range of posts regarding informational and inspirational ideas regarding the environment and oneself. The topics help provide insight on ways society can make the community better, gain happiness and fulfillment, and even the latest innovations in other countries.

The "green" topics this blog dives into categories revolving around design, living, science, technology, transportation, business, and energy. With entries being posted every day, readers have an endless possibility of gaining insight on their most favorable environmentally friendly topics.

The main goal of this blog is to make sustainability and the want for a green planet, mainstream. Awareness, increased readability, and creativeness is the antidote.

One motivational strategy that this blog utilizes is pathos with positivity. All the posts show was readers can not only make the environment better but themselves happier and healthier. From entries like "10 ways to get the most from walking", to "Are bicyclists the happiest commuters on the planet?", the idea of there being room for prosperity and evolvement is endless.

Another strategy is credibility. The information that is being shared with readers appears to be very factual and credible, often referencing issues happening in other countries, with sources to back up their claims. All the points being made to try and motivate readers to enact in the promotion of a Green Planet are explained by using real-life occurrences from the world around us.

Overall, I think this blog can appeal to just about anyone. Especially now with the virus rapidly spreading around, people care about maintaining their health and environment now more than ever. Readers seek ways to better themselves, the latest on environmental standings, and positive "real-life" stories that they can connect to. What is more heartwarming than learning how to save the planet?

Week 11: Hope and Purpose

“The way I see it, we get to live on this beautiful planet for free and looking after our home is like paying rent. If we want to enjoy the fruits of our home, the sunrises and sunsets, the forests and mountains, the oceans and beaches; taking care of it is the least we can do. This is your hub of educational tips, sustainable swaps and planet friendly alternatives. Join me on my journey to living a little more consciously.”

So begins the “Sustainability” section of Zanna Van Dijk’s blog. Her website includes other written content with various themes including lifestyle, fitness, food, and travel, but her posts on sustainability stand out due to their more persuasive purpose— They seek to motivate and persuade readers to take action and change their habits in order to live a more conscious and sustainable life that will help the future of the planet.

Her most recent post concerning this topic is titled “Veganuary Is Over, What’s Next? What To Do After Veganuary.” In this article, Zanna lists her top seven tips on eating a more plant-based diet, something she’s very passionate about because it significantly helps reduce the polluting effects of factory farms and is overall a more ethical approach to eating. She also runs a “What I Eat in a Day” series on her YouTube channel, in which she shows her viewers all the vegan meals she makes for herself in a day, and she shares recipes on her blog and her Instagram.

Other posts include “Eco-Friendly Handbag Essentials,” “How To Travel More Responsibly, Ethically, and Sustainably,” “10 Sustainable Swaps To Fight Ocean Plastic,” and “Sustainable Gift Ideas and Christmas Tips.” With a long-established social media presence, positions as an ambassador for Vivo Life, and co-creator of a sustainable swim-wear brand, Zanna has gathered extensive information on how to have a positive impact on the planet and make more eco-conscious choices.

One strategy Zanna uses to persuade and motivate her readers is keeping things simple. Most of her posts on sustainability provide short bulleted lists of the actions she urges us to take. The main points are typically bolded, or otherwise made to stand out from the rest of the text, and are followed with a short paragraph of elaboration. This makes her posts pleasing to look at, so that her audience is more likely to read through the whole post and thereby get all the information she wants them to have. Plus, her tips are usually very easy and simple to implement and often don’t require any unfeasible resources to accomplish, such as adding a reusable straw to your handbag essentials or eating and shopping local when traveling.

On top of this, Zanna has built significant credibility due to her heavy involvement in sustainable brands and practices, as mentioned above. This helps readers trust the information she shares with us and her authority on the subject. Her posts also show how much thought and effort she puts into each one, and they tend to start with a catchy intro that engages the reader and then stay focused throughout. She appeals to those who are interested in learning more about what they can do to make a difference in the current climate crisis, and I imagine many of her readers seek her guidance, as they may be at a loss for how to help or simply paralyzed by eco-anxiety. Zanna’s positivity and easy-to-follow steps along with clear and focused information makes her readers feel a sense of hope and leaves them with a sense of purpose.

Week11: These Times are Changing (for animals)

The times are changing, indeed. Once upon a time, newspapers and other physical embodiments of information (besides the unreliable word-of-mouth) were the only form of "news." Then, there was the radio, and eventually the TV. But now, we have information a click away. Literally at our fingertips. So it is reasonable, and probably the best method, for authors to extend their platform to social media. As Gladwell states: "The new tools of social media have reinvented social activism."

One author fights a battle that I'm particularly inclined towards: animal rights. Aside from his books, Mark Hawthorne runs a blog that focuses on researched topics and new topics in the news. "Striking at the Roots" fights for animals around the globe, or as he calls it "Animal activism around the world." He calls for people to use empathy when it comes to animals and for them to be treated humanly. He supports veganism, fights against animal testing and abuse, and spreads awareness about current events and successes for animal activists. His most recent article was a review of the success for animal rights in 2019. Hawthorne also has a social media presence on Twitter, where he posts current events from around the world. 

(Tucker, the shelter dog)

By backing up his information with facts, statistics, and relevant stories, he appeals to the reader’s sense of reason and logic. For instance, on an article about the unnecessary use of fur for clothing, he argues that it is very much still in existence. He includes the data, “By 2004, the global fur industry was worth $11.7 billion. Now, according to the International Fur Federation, the industry is valued at $40 billion. In the U.S., fur hit a 17-year high last year with $531 million in sales, up from $337 million in 2014.”  He uses reliable sources like the US Department of Justice, PETA, and Institute for the Future, which makes his argument more reliable and allows readers to see the logic within his argument.

Hawthorne also appeals to the reader’s emotions when he rights about animal rights. He includes images and data that should sway the audience in favor of his argument. His details make animals more individualistic, rather than an entire group, and appeals  to the reader’s sense of empathy. He also calls for help from the audience at the end of his articles, where he informs them about what they can do to help. In another article, he pleas to California to help ban Fur trade by supporting the bill against it. He states “The fur industry is lobbying hard against this bill, so every voice of support helps.” 

Now, some of these topics are specific— "I don’t buy fur or live in California, so why should I care?" But looking further into his blog, I believe it is made for everyone. Animal owners, animal lovers, people in general. We can all do our part to help—stop buying animal-tested products, lobby for bills that ban cruel acts, and even adopting animals from shelters. Animals are everywhere, and they're innocent things. We can act empathetically and, one-by-one, lesson the power of the cruel industries.