Bianca Muoz-Cruz

Final Reflective Essay

UWRT 1102-008
Date: 4/15/15 video (audio), pictures (visual) and social media
Final Reflective Essay
Throughout my inquiry research, the most interesting aspect that I found valuable
is how the public portrays inaccurate knowledge of the Dream Act in all sorts of social
media. Everyone is constantly on social media so its common that to get some quick facts
in my looking at what is most recently posted. There are so many comments, pictures,
and videos that all focus on what every individual personally knows about the Dream
Act.
As videos go to inform the public, there are various documentaries that display
the hardships for those who migrate to the United States from other countries. Some of
these documentaries are more biased on Mexicans being the common immigrants in the
Unites States but when in all reality there are more races that have the same ultimate
problem. They are undocumented and cant further their education because of their social
status with the government. The hardships found in these documentaries are poor living
conditions, low-paying jobs, and gained disrespect from the community with constant
threats towards their life or family life. Documentaries also compare how different their
lifestyles have changed for them compared to how it was back at their original country.
Other forms of videos that inform the public are YouTube, self-made (homemade)
videos. There are videos in which show multiple protest done all over the United States
where student go out their way to find many congressmen and have them hear what they

have to say. Congressmen at any moment arent allowed to release any misleading
information but did grant more hope to the student groups by saying that the Act is being
discussed. Although these homemade videos or rally (protest) videos go viral, there is
still that misconception that politicians are the bad guys which isnt necessarily true.
When a rally goes bad, it can be from the frustration thats has been held back for so long
by these students. Yet it doesnt occur as much as you would think. Then again politician
and or lawyers tend to show frustration as well especially when theyre trying to help but
get bombarded with the hectic answers. A main factor that is found when watching videos
of such debates would be frustration and pressure. This is present because the event is
important and meaningful which means its needs to be dealt with high priority. Only
nationwide debates are ever aired on public television but other than that, small local
gathering are recorded and shared within small groups.
Besides videos that are recorded, there are some radio talk shows as well as
specials aired on T.V. on the improvements on this Act. For those who have work early in
the morning or in the late evening tends to catch the highlights of recent events within
any given area. Anything politically normally ends up being discussed by ordinary
people other than hearing politicians speak more on it. On radio talk shows, callers have
the right to voice out their opinions and concern which misleads other individuals
because they mix up the event with opinions.
When it comes to pictures, its very true that one photo speaks a thousand words.
Pictures when related to the Dream Act are used more as a symbol than anything else.
Once a picture (symbol) is established, that picture goes viral and everyone will soon
recognize that towards the Dream Act. The various symbols and pictures that Ive seen

that is associated with the Dream Act is the cartoon of teens in graduation gap and gown
in various background such as the yellow caution crossing, the American flag waving,
poster boards, and displayed with the colors red, white and blue. The common phrases
that Ive seen associated with the dream act is We Are Here, Right to Dream,
Support the Dream Act, NO! To wasted talent, YES! To the Dream Act, and Stop
Tearing Families.
Many of these pictures are made by hand and used when gathered for rallies as
their way of voicing what they have to say. Other images such as the yellow caution sign
with teens crossing in graduation cap and gown sends a misconceived message. That
message means that immigrants are crossing, gaining an education and want change.
Never have I seen such a degrading imaging portraying the hard work done by these
students.
Each image sends an important message and its clear on images goes to support
the Dream Act and those that oppose it. Depending on which stance you take, to support
or oppose the Dream Act its more likely that youll advertise your stance on social media,
in public through stickers and again voice it when rally event are present. Some of these
pictures are offensive, very stereotypical and can be negatively used by the wrong people.
Racial comments have been made when it comes to regards of these pictures because the
target for receiving DACA happens to be, by majority, Hispanics. But DACA isnt
exclusive to any particular race, yet Hispanics have already made it known that the
majority of immigrants that want to further their education. In current society, Hispanics
are known to be the minority the stereotype with little to no respect. When looking at
the pictures with such symbols and phrases, yes some are the actual individuals that the

Dream Act pertains to but theres a vast amount of supports who are legal and still take
offense to such comments made towards Hispanics. Pictures can be made in order to
signify something important but can easily be manipulated and stamped with such
negativity. That negativity gets passes around faster than the positive message-to support
the Dream Act.
Adults are more mature when it comes to these symbols and pictures but based on
parents standpoint on the Dream Act, it can surely influence how their kids may interpret
the image as well. Ignorance is learned and passed down and sadly society has reacted to
point where you either agree or disagree with something and depending on that stance,
you act a certain way. This is how misleading information is passed along to younger
generations and caused more conflicts with those who are affect by the Dream Act.
Adults should be educating their kids as well as others to gather the proper information
before making quick judgments but society doesnt promote that. Overall, picture and
images are meant to send supportive messages in order to education the public about the
Dream Act yet some become misguided and portrays opposite than the conveying
message. The opposing side, those against the Dream Act will make negative reference
to the picture and images, which sticks longer than the true meaning.
The last resource that is commonly used when misinforming the public is social
media. Social media is the main contribution to how people become informed nowadays.
Instagram is used to pass along photos that are trending, and/or currently happening in
the world. Twitter is used to voice out whatever you personally want and depending on
the importance or topic being discussed, its then re-tweeted and put into the trending
category. Facebook is used to stay connected with family and friends but you dont see

many post anything relevant. All you mainly see on Facebook is articles, pictures and
videos that are shared!!
On the normal basis, less than half of the people in a household would actually
watch the news. The news only broadcast the criminal aspects not the debates or political
issues. News channels tends to provide any and all type of reliable information on their
websites yet to the ordinary citizen, checking the news website isnt as important as
checking the other social media options. News papers, when they were passed out was
the best daily source of gathering the latest news about every topic possible but now its
become more of a scavenger hunt. In all ways to not get the proper information, theres
not question to why some citizens are clueless when asked what the most current event
happening in your city today. Misguidance is due to the lack of accurate information
displayed to the public. As a whole, there should be a better way to have those who want
to be educated on the events happening in our government as well as in our own states.
Society alone has made it hard to get such accessible information so in that sense,
its societies own fault that some dont care to educate themselves about the Dream Act.
Pictures can be influencing or deceiving depending on which stance you chose to take
part in. Either way, as a citizen you should allow others to make their own conclusions
and decisions after they gather the proper information themselves. You shouldnt pass
along the negative messages when you know he truth behind any current. As far as the
Dream Act goes, dont pass the offensive post, comment and pictures because it does
affect a large population in our area. There are many factors that influence a persons
mindset and when it comes to the Dream Act the main influences are through pictures/
symbols (images), videos (audio) and social media as the news.