Combatting The "liberal Media": Why Leavitt’s 2016 College Op-eds Predicted Her Future
Ever feel like you're trying to navigate a buffet with a friend who insists the broccoli is actually cauliflower? That’s kind of how it feels sometimes when we’re trying to get our news, right? There’s this whole ongoing conversation, a bit of a kerfuffle, about the "liberal media." You’ve probably heard it, maybe even said it. It's like trying to figure out if your favorite cozy sweater is really that worn out, or if it’s just the way you’re looking at it.
Well, buckle up, buttercups, because we’re going to dive into something that might shed a little light on this whole "liberal media" dance. It involves some old college writings by a woman named Sarah Abigail Jeon, who you might know better as Sarah Abigail Leavitt. She wrote some opinion pieces back in 2016 when she was in college, and boy, oh boy, they're kind of like a crystal ball showing us why she’s gotten so much attention in recent years, especially when it comes to talking about media bias.
The College Kid's Crystal Ball
Think back to your college days. Were you meticulously crafting arguments about media conglomerates, or were you more concerned with surviving on instant ramen and figuring out which party was actually happening? Most of us were in the latter camp. But Leavitt, apparently, was already thinking about this stuff. She was looking at how news stories were being told, who was telling them, and what that meant for all of us.
It’s a bit like when you're a kid and you just know your older sibling is sneaking cookies from the jar, even if they deny it. You might not have proof, but you've observed their patterns, their sneaky glances, the tell-tale crumbs. Leavitt, even back then, seemed to be observing the "patterns" in how media presented information.
She wasn't just saying, "This is boring!" or "This is unfair!" She was digging a little deeper, questioning the narrative. She was looking at the headlines, the way certain issues were framed, and she started to wonder if there was a particular angle being pushed.
"The Liberal Media" – What's the Big Deal Anyway?
So, why should we, the everyday folks just trying to get through the week, care about some college op-eds predicting future media commentary? It’s simple, really. Think about it like this: When you go to your favorite restaurant, you expect a certain kind of meal, right? You like their signature dish. But what if, for weeks, they started serving you a completely different meal, one you didn't even order, and they told you it was the only option? You'd be confused, maybe a little annoyed, and you’d definitely want to know why.
That’s what happens when we feel like the news isn't giving us the full picture, or when it feels like it's leaning a certain way without acknowledging it. Leavitt’s early writings suggest she was noticing these kinds of "menu changes" in the media landscape.
She was talking about things like the framing of stories. Imagine two people describing the same rainy day. One says, "It's a gloomy, miserable day, perfect for staying inside and moping." The other says, "It's a beautiful, refreshing day, perfect for a cozy cup of tea and listening to the rain." The event is the same (rain), but the message is completely different. Leavitt’s college pieces were looking at how media outlets might be choosing one "framing" over another, and why that matters.
Spotting the Sneaky Subtext
Leavitt's early work was, in essence, about learning to read between the lines. It’s like when you’re trying to understand a friend’s text message. Sometimes, the words are innocent enough, but you know there’s a whole other meaning lurking there. You’ve got to consider the context, the tone, and maybe even what they didn't say.
She was picking up on what she perceived as a certain bias, a tendency to favor a particular viewpoint. She wasn't necessarily saying the journalists were bad people or out to get anyone. It was more about observing a general inclination, a way of approaching stories that, in her view, tended to be more sympathetic to liberal perspectives.
It’s like noticing that your dog always seems to perk up and wag its tail when you pull out the treat bag. You can’t blame the dog for wanting a treat, but you also know that the treat bag is a powerful influence on its behavior. Leavitt seemed to be analyzing these "influence bags" in the media.
Why Does This Matter to Your Grandma? (And You!)
This isn't just some academic navel-gazing. This is about how we, as regular folks, form our opinions. If we're only getting our information from one perspective, even if it's unintentionally, our understanding of the world can become a little lopsided. It's like trying to assemble IKEA furniture with only half the instructions – you might end up with a wobbly bookshelf!
Leavitt’s insights, going all the way back to her college days, suggest a desire for more balanced reporting. She was asking for us to be aware of how stories are presented, so we can be more critical consumers of news. She was advocating for us to be able to spot the "treat bag" influence, so we can make up our own minds without being subtly swayed.
Imagine you’re picking out fruit at the grocery store. You want to see a good variety, right? You want to choose the ripest apples, the firmest pears. If the store only offered you a bin of slightly bruised bananas, you’d probably be a bit concerned. Leavitt’s work, even from years ago, points to this idea of wanting a diverse "fruit bowl" of information, not just one pre-selected option.
The Echoes of College Musings
So, when you hear about Leavitt’s current commentary on the media, remember that these weren't just spur-of-the-moment opinions. They seem to be rooted in observations she was making way back when she was still figuring things out herself. Her college op-eds are like those early sketches an artist makes before painting a masterpiece. They show the foundational ideas, the initial observations that would later develop into a more comprehensive view.
It's about empowering us. By understanding these perspectives, by being aware that media can have its own subtle leanings, we can become more informed citizens. We can ask more questions, seek out different sources, and build a more complete picture of what’s really going on. It’s about keeping our own mental "buffets" well-stocked with a variety of flavors and textures, so we can make our own delicious understanding of the world. And honestly, who doesn’t love a good, well-rounded meal?