Second Reflection

The recently passed, second segment of class has opened up some serious discussions over whom and what constitutes a true online activist. It also covered the utilization of social media to commence or aid in a revolutionary movement. A couple of key points stood out to me and perhaps it is due to my habit of following money trails and searching for the root of the problem.
We speak of oppressive regimes in other nations and how “their rulers” impose harsh rules and punishments. Yet we fail to thoroughly research and analyze how this is possible in the Common Era. Our country has continued to do business with what we consider to be “tyrants” for decades. Saddam Hussein, Hosni Mubarek and Omar Gaddhafi are huge examples. Often this has taken place after some coup d’état agreed upon by the United Nations because the dictator has refused the continual advances of multinational companies or eventually gets tired of being bullied by the World Bank and its goons. The media does a smear job and the rest is history…another “puppet leader” will be installed as head of that particular nation. Here’s the part that I find really peculiar—some strongly believe that social media has a part to play in the success of an uprising. The only way I see it happening is if the citizens under bondage shed enough light on their disastrous situations in a timely fashion on social media. By doing this it allows for widespread public opinion to spread across the Earth where Internet access is readily available compelling the U.N. to be forced to react. There are plenty of other nations where leaders are very harsh rulers, but we won’t hear about that until the business aspect goes bad with said nation.
Julian Assange feels obligated to reveal the dirty and scandalous activities that are perpetuated by governments “behind the scenes.” Some people take issue with this and claim that he is violating national security. My question would be those people are: “If we are operating under the ideas of freedom and justice for all, then why do choose to ignore atrocities happening to other nations that we are largely responsible for?” Is it because we are truly selfish and are happy as long as we are granted certain freedoms? French philosopher Jean Paul Sautre stated “individuals are trapped in a narrow and bleak idea of freedom by the pressures of the society around them.” Somehow, I have a strong feeling that we are currently experiencing this in the United States.