Law, Ethics, and News Literacy
Rampart Yearbook
Freelance News Writing
2021
Freelance Reporting on Social Justice Issues
Mookie Betts kneeled: he received support from most of his teammates.
Mookie Betts said he wouldn’t play in Thursday’s game vs. the Giants: the Dodgers as a team decided to protest the aforementioned game, and they stood by him unequivocally.
Jackie Bradley Jr. spoke out against social justice issues in America: the Red Sox didn’t back him up in any way.
After announcing he wouldn’t play in Thursday’s game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays, Jackie Bradley Jr. sparked a movement in the Red Sox clubhouse. The team met before their scheduled game and collectively decided not to play in protest of the Jacob Blake shooting. The Blue Jays followed suit, and the game was eventually postponed and will be played at a later date. This is all well and good, but the Red Sox need to do better in supporting Bradley Jr. in his quest to speak out against racial injustices in the United States. Before Boston’s game on Wednesday, the team didn’t hold a meeting to discuss the possibility of not playing their scheduled game. All that happened was a conversation between Bradley Jr., Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke, and backup catcher Kevin Plawecki. All that transpired was exactly that: a simple conversation. No public statement from either Roenicke or Plawecki backing Bradley Jr. until after the game was played. As the only African American player on the Red Sox, Bradley Jr. has been essentially alone on his march for social justice. The Red Sox have barely supported him publicly, and have even gone as far as making him the leader of this cause. Bradley Jr. should definitely be a prominent figure in decision making around current events in the Red Sox organization, but it can’t be solely put on his shoulders to make decisions for a whole team’s actions.
Black Lives Matter News
Following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, protests have sprung up across the nation, demanding justice from the officers involved and calling for the end of the constant police brutality that has been showcased in our nation for centuries. The events of May 25th, 2020 have greatly impacted our whole country over the months that have passed. Civil unrest has occurred across the nation, and in Denver, protestors blocked I-25 multiple times in calls for action. These injustices have even infiltrated some of America’s favorite pastimes; following the NBA restart, players changed the text on the back of their jerseys to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and have even protested playoff games to bring the public’s attention to their cries. Major League Baseball followed suit that same night, canceling games across the country over the next two days in an attempt to show solidarity from a sport where only 7.8% of athletes are black, as of 2019. Local protests have been held nationwide calling for justice for George Floyd, along with Breonna Taylor, who was killed on March 13th when officers shot at her while she was sleeping after entering her home with a no-knock warrant, and Elijah McClain, who was killed on August 30th, 2020 in Aurora, Colorado. Though these three names have been the most recognizable throughout the nationwide movement, there are countless others who have been victims of police brutality in America. It seems that 2020 has the potential to be a year of change for our police force, but as law enforcement continues to fail to take notice of the public pleas, all we can do is keep fighting until something changes. Not only in honor of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Elijah McClain but for the good of our country as a whole.
Food Review: Restaurant Reporting
Hometown Nachos with a Twist
Considering the world we live in and the extended closure of restaurants, I decided to participate in Take-out Tuesday for this food review. The item under review: Salsa Brava Nachos. When the box is first opened, the nachos are cold, due to the long drive from the restaurant to my home, so the whole container is placed in the oven to crisp up the limp chips. As the whole dish is toasted, the delicious smell of tortilla chips and warm queso coupled with steak begins to float through the whole house. The oven does the trick, as the whole plate comes out completely revitalized, toasted brown on the top, with gooey melted queso enveloping every chip like a cheesy blanket. The service is excellent, as the nachos are perfectly prepared by me, and I consider myself a rather conscientious chef and server. The whole layer of chips is doused with a large serving of savory and mouth-watering steak that is bursting with flavor. As they’re consumed, the nachos reveal an even deeper layer of flavoring, consisting of the fluffy and distinct mouthful of refried beans paired with the tangy touch of sour cream. On the side is a separate serving of chips, with a serving of delicious, creamy guacamole, filled to the brim with ripe, juicy diced tomatoes. The cilantro mixed in cuts through the rich consistency and allows for a touch of freshness. Paired with this delicious meal is a crisp flavored sparkling water. The grapefruit flavor is prominent, both sweet and sour, and the drink is overflowing with a feeling of the impending summer season. Another tone is detected in the beverage as the hint of orange slices through at the end. All-in-all, the meal provides a savory, rich, filling dish while also showcasing the freshness of local ingredients and a wise beverage pairing.