Question.951 - In at least 300 words, using in-text citations from the assigned materials, respond to the following questions: 1. Has public opinion changed over time? What are some central issues that the public has shifted their perspective? 2. Consider the public opinion on Black Lives Matter. Do you have a different perspective than people older than you (those of a different generation)? Do you think your perspective is different based on your identity (race, geographical location, gender, ethnicity, etc)? Do you think that someone in Alabama, for example, would think similarly to you? What if they were from a rural area versus a city?
Answer Below:
Q1) Considering question one in accordance with the resources provided, I believe public opinion has changed drastically over a period of time; one of the contributing factors could be the accessibility toward education has improved in accordance with the growth in technology, in addition to the issue explored in the article which states the post-incident after the death of George Floyd's, wherein the social perspective on the race and police took a shift towards upholding humanity, that the recent decade hasn't experienced it, the light cast on police brutality towards black people and the attention it received by the masses along with support showed the shift in social perception (Cohn & Quealy, 2020). As the article explores a diverse take on white democrats, who are composed of around 30%, who tend to view the act of police brutality as a widespread problem when compared to 2014, before the events in Ferguson, Mo (Cohn & Quealy, 2020). Q2) Considering the article written by Cohn & Quealy (2020), there is an underlying generalization over the demographic differences in public opinion over a particular race; post George Floyd event, the shift is towards the Black Lives Matter movement. The younger generation is more inclined towards supporting the movement than Generation X and Y; as stated in the article, younger Americans, along with ethnic groups, are more likely to stand for the protest against Black Americans and the police brutality issue. While at the same time, the perspectives on Black Lives Matter could differ in terms of several social factors like identity or ethnicity, race, gender, and geography (Cohn & Quealy, 2020). For instance, as the article states, Black Americans of varied ages are subjected to police brutality, which has led to a growing stereotypical fear, while on the other hand, the White Americans' percentage of subjection to police brutality is low. It is possible that someone in Alabama may have a different perspective on Black Lives Matter than someone from another region, especially if their experiences with race and policing differ. Moreover, an individual from the countryside may have a different perspective than someone from the urban front, as their experiences with race and policing may differ based on their surroundings. References Cohn, N., & Quealy, K. (2020, June 10).?How public opinion has moved on Black Lives Matter. The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/06/10/upshot/black-lives-matter-attitudes.htmlPrs Hi, Sophia thank you for sharing your insight into the topic! Considering the notion being discussed I would like to provide an alternative take such as how the social factors tend to interplay and alter the perspectives of the individuals beyond their age and geographic location. It is possible that due the exposure of information, the older generations could be keen in adapting to the contemporary structure of the society while it is also important to understand that some elderly people may have conservative attitudes as a result of their upbringing, it is wrong to generalize and imply that all older people are incapable of adapting to changing society standards. Furthermore, younger people may have conservative attitudes as a result of their upbringing or personal experiences. Furthermore, it is critical to recognize that attitudes on social issues are impacted by factors other than identification or geography. Many people have diverse perspectives on subjects like Black Lives Matter based on their personal experiences, exposure to different points of view, education, and moral values. As a result, it is critical to avoid forming assumptions about someone's worldview based merely on their identification or geography. Hi, Jinny; thank you for sharing your insight; I would like to add that - while it is true that public opinion may vary and change over time, it is equally necessary to recognize that the American government's political and legal framework plays a significant influence in molding public opinion on matters such as LGBTQ+ rights. For example, major Supreme Court decisions such as Lawrence v. Texas and Obergefell v. Hodges were critical in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and legalizing same-sex marriage. Furthermore, legislation such as the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the implementation of the Equality Act has led to the LGBTQ+ community having a more inclusive legal environment. As a result, it is critical to recognize the government's role in shaping public opinion on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and to recognize that, while social perceptions and cultural conventions may affect the public's perceptions, legal and legislative developments may additionally have an important effect on shaping public opinion. To summarize, while public opinion evolves and changes over time, it is critical to recognize the government's involvement in molding public opinion on topics such as LGBTQ+ rights and to lobby for policy changes that show a commitment to inclusion and equality for all persons.More Articles From Political Science
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