Joe Amditis | Montclair State University (original) (raw)
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New Jersey saw significant cuts to its journalism corps in 2016. This was primarily due to the ac... more New Jersey saw significant cuts to its journalism corps in 2016. This was primarily due to the acquisition of North Jersey Media Group by Gannett Co. and ensuing layoffs, although other media organizations contracted as well. This report documents the North Jersey layoffs, and provides more detail about who and what was lost to the local journalism ecosystem in the process. For example, in a small survey of laid-off journalists conducted in December 2016, we found that nearly half had more than 20 years of experience covering local communities. We also ask the most important question: what impact did these layoffs have on the news and information provided by these outlets? In a comparison of four newspapers before and after the takeover, we find clear evidence of decreases in substantive community news and information. We conclude with strategic recommendations for interventions and strengthening the local journalism ecosystem.
In this paper, I examine the song “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist” from the 2003 Broadway musical... more In this paper, I examine the song “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist” from the 2003 Broadway musical, Avenue Q, as it relates to conceptions of race and power relations in the United States. The widespread success, critical acclaim, and notoriety of the show within the theater industry make Avenue Q a worthy candidate for critical analysis. When viewed from a cultural analysis perspective, the song functions as a tool of hegemony by convincing viewers to support the seemingly equitable state of race and power relations presented in the media text. Stuart Hall’s work on encoding and decoding will help explain the interplay between the concepts presented in the song and the socio-cultural narratives of white privilege and racial hierarchy within the context of a “post-racial” and “colorblind” America. The songwriters failed to include any reference to historical context or the systemic and structural elements of contemporary American racism. This leaves the consumer to conclude that “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist” because of some inherent human tendency toward racism and discrimination. In this sense, the song reinforces the notion of a “colorblind,” post-racial American society and perpetuates the normalization of the white perspective with regard to race relations.
Stereotypical depictions of race and ethnicity foster attitudes of white supremacy and reinforce ... more Stereotypical depictions of race and ethnicity foster attitudes of white supremacy and reinforce the racial status quo. In this article, I examine the relationships between conceptions of race, whiteness, and humor to determine their effects on public discourse surrounding issues of race. I find that humorous and stereotypical depictions of race in the media, even those deemed to possess an oppositional framework, perpetuate hierarchical conceptions of race and traditional distortions of racial narratives. These narratives consistently value whites and white social norms over blacks and black social norms, thus preserving the historically privileged social status of whites in America. Most audience members only retain comedic messages that support current racial hierarchies and the status quo. Understanding the complex relationship between race and humor can help to provide a clearer picture of the state of race relations in the United States, allowing us to move forward in the struggle for racial and social justice.
In December of 2008, Israel launched a full-scale attack on the Gaza Strip. Beginning with an air... more In December of 2008, Israel launched a full-scale attack on the Gaza Strip. Beginning with an air strike on December 27, Israel continued its offensive against Gaza for approximately 22 days, resulting in over 5,000 casualties. After conducting over 2,360 air strikes and several ground assaults initiated on January 3, 2009, the fighting finally came to an end on January 18. The offensive, known as Operation Cast Lead, raised questions concerning the legality of the manner and magnitude of Israel’s use of force against Gaza. The Israeli government claims that Operation Cast Lead was a valid exercise of Israel’s sovereign right to self-defense and was necessary to stop continuous rocket attacks fired into Israel from Gaza. This article will focus on the events of Operation Cast Lead and the preceding socio-political relationship between Israel and the Occupied Territories, the allegations of war crimes against Israel as they apply to customary international law, and the possibility of recourse through the international community.
On February 26, 2011, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1970 in response to t... more On February 26, 2011, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1970 in response to the violence and ongoing human rights violations being committed against the people of Libya by Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi and his regime. The charges against the Gaddafi regime are numerous, the majority of which predate the February 2011 popular uprisings in Libya. On March 17, 2011, the Security Council passed Resolution 1973, further condemning the use of force against the rebel forces and imposing a number of sanctions and demands on Gaddafi and his regime including a no-fly zone and an arms embargo. Citing Chapter VII authority, the Security Council demanded an immediate cease-fire, an end to the violence and all attacks against civilians, and called for member states to “take all necessary measures” to prevent further civilian casualties and enforce compliance with the resolution. This article will illustrate the ways in which NATO’s armed intervention in Libya violated customary norms, standards, and practices of international law. This article will also demonstrate the ways in which, from a broader historical perspective, the bombing campaign in Libya constitutes yet another episode in the ongoing saga of Western hypocrisy and global hegemony. In this context, it becomes clear that, while NATO’s recent actions are wrought with international legal violations and contradictions at the local and individual levels, the underlying premise and motivation render the operation itself illegal on a much broader scale.
The case of Employment Division of Oregon v. Smith is complex and rife with controversy. Any time... more The case of Employment Division of Oregon v. Smith is complex and rife with controversy. Any time the interests of the State are pitted against the interests and freedoms of the individual there is always an expectation of backlash from the losing side. This case exemplifies the clash between societal needs and individual rights. The State has a duty to prevent possible harm and provide for the general welfare of the public, while safeguarding the rights of minorities from the tyranny of the majority. This becomes increasingly difficult in a society that contains a multitude of political, religious, and intellectual persuasions. This difficulty is compounded when the parties involved have an intricate historical and political relationship with the State. The distinctive and multifaceted historical relationship between the Native American Peoples and the United States Government presents unique constitutional and legal questions in determining what constitutes a proper balance between the rights of the citizens and the powers of the State. Furthermore, in determining the extent of religious protections afforded by the First Amendment, this case illustrates that the line between religious belief and religious exercise may not be as obvious or clearly defined as many would suppose.
Few things shock the conscience as deeply as the images of a helpless victim who is forced to suc... more Few things shock the conscience as deeply as the images of a helpless victim who is forced to succumb to the desires of a relentless sexual aggressor. The immediate response of many individuals would be to lash out and punish the aforementioned assailant for such a vile and despicable act, and garner retribution for the victim. After all, what kind of horrible, immoral, and soulless degenerate could possibly bring himself to forsake all forms of compassion and empathy, allowing him to commit such an atrocity upon a fellow human being?
Opinion by Joe Amditis
Online Works by Joe Amditis
Middle East continue to flood the desks of State Department officials and military leaders, it is... more Middle East continue to flood the desks of State Department officials and military leaders, it is imperative that US policy be primarily constrained to multilateral agreements aimed at achieving mutually accepted goals. Multilateralism may appear risky at times, but the long-term advantages of cooperation can outweigh the costs of short-term capitulation. Multilateralism and cooperation are crucial to establishing effective governing authority at the regional and local levels. Any attempts to establish stability in the wake of a political transition must rely on the use of a coalition authority, rather than relying solely on one-party rule. This same principle of cooperation can also be applied to international power structures and relationships. The already limited peace and stability in that region will continue to deteriorate and breakdown unless diplomacy and collaborative peace efforts replace the use of force and coercion.
New Jersey saw significant cuts to its journalism corps in 2016. This was primarily due to the ac... more New Jersey saw significant cuts to its journalism corps in 2016. This was primarily due to the acquisition of North Jersey Media Group by Gannett Co. and ensuing layoffs, although other media organizations contracted as well. This report documents the North Jersey layoffs, and provides more detail about who and what was lost to the local journalism ecosystem in the process. For example, in a small survey of laid-off journalists conducted in December 2016, we found that nearly half had more than 20 years of experience covering local communities. We also ask the most important question: what impact did these layoffs have on the news and information provided by these outlets? In a comparison of four newspapers before and after the takeover, we find clear evidence of decreases in substantive community news and information. We conclude with strategic recommendations for interventions and strengthening the local journalism ecosystem.
In this paper, I examine the song “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist” from the 2003 Broadway musical... more In this paper, I examine the song “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist” from the 2003 Broadway musical, Avenue Q, as it relates to conceptions of race and power relations in the United States. The widespread success, critical acclaim, and notoriety of the show within the theater industry make Avenue Q a worthy candidate for critical analysis. When viewed from a cultural analysis perspective, the song functions as a tool of hegemony by convincing viewers to support the seemingly equitable state of race and power relations presented in the media text. Stuart Hall’s work on encoding and decoding will help explain the interplay between the concepts presented in the song and the socio-cultural narratives of white privilege and racial hierarchy within the context of a “post-racial” and “colorblind” America. The songwriters failed to include any reference to historical context or the systemic and structural elements of contemporary American racism. This leaves the consumer to conclude that “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist” because of some inherent human tendency toward racism and discrimination. In this sense, the song reinforces the notion of a “colorblind,” post-racial American society and perpetuates the normalization of the white perspective with regard to race relations.
Stereotypical depictions of race and ethnicity foster attitudes of white supremacy and reinforce ... more Stereotypical depictions of race and ethnicity foster attitudes of white supremacy and reinforce the racial status quo. In this article, I examine the relationships between conceptions of race, whiteness, and humor to determine their effects on public discourse surrounding issues of race. I find that humorous and stereotypical depictions of race in the media, even those deemed to possess an oppositional framework, perpetuate hierarchical conceptions of race and traditional distortions of racial narratives. These narratives consistently value whites and white social norms over blacks and black social norms, thus preserving the historically privileged social status of whites in America. Most audience members only retain comedic messages that support current racial hierarchies and the status quo. Understanding the complex relationship between race and humor can help to provide a clearer picture of the state of race relations in the United States, allowing us to move forward in the struggle for racial and social justice.
In December of 2008, Israel launched a full-scale attack on the Gaza Strip. Beginning with an air... more In December of 2008, Israel launched a full-scale attack on the Gaza Strip. Beginning with an air strike on December 27, Israel continued its offensive against Gaza for approximately 22 days, resulting in over 5,000 casualties. After conducting over 2,360 air strikes and several ground assaults initiated on January 3, 2009, the fighting finally came to an end on January 18. The offensive, known as Operation Cast Lead, raised questions concerning the legality of the manner and magnitude of Israel’s use of force against Gaza. The Israeli government claims that Operation Cast Lead was a valid exercise of Israel’s sovereign right to self-defense and was necessary to stop continuous rocket attacks fired into Israel from Gaza. This article will focus on the events of Operation Cast Lead and the preceding socio-political relationship between Israel and the Occupied Territories, the allegations of war crimes against Israel as they apply to customary international law, and the possibility of recourse through the international community.
On February 26, 2011, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1970 in response to t... more On February 26, 2011, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1970 in response to the violence and ongoing human rights violations being committed against the people of Libya by Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi and his regime. The charges against the Gaddafi regime are numerous, the majority of which predate the February 2011 popular uprisings in Libya. On March 17, 2011, the Security Council passed Resolution 1973, further condemning the use of force against the rebel forces and imposing a number of sanctions and demands on Gaddafi and his regime including a no-fly zone and an arms embargo. Citing Chapter VII authority, the Security Council demanded an immediate cease-fire, an end to the violence and all attacks against civilians, and called for member states to “take all necessary measures” to prevent further civilian casualties and enforce compliance with the resolution. This article will illustrate the ways in which NATO’s armed intervention in Libya violated customary norms, standards, and practices of international law. This article will also demonstrate the ways in which, from a broader historical perspective, the bombing campaign in Libya constitutes yet another episode in the ongoing saga of Western hypocrisy and global hegemony. In this context, it becomes clear that, while NATO’s recent actions are wrought with international legal violations and contradictions at the local and individual levels, the underlying premise and motivation render the operation itself illegal on a much broader scale.
The case of Employment Division of Oregon v. Smith is complex and rife with controversy. Any time... more The case of Employment Division of Oregon v. Smith is complex and rife with controversy. Any time the interests of the State are pitted against the interests and freedoms of the individual there is always an expectation of backlash from the losing side. This case exemplifies the clash between societal needs and individual rights. The State has a duty to prevent possible harm and provide for the general welfare of the public, while safeguarding the rights of minorities from the tyranny of the majority. This becomes increasingly difficult in a society that contains a multitude of political, religious, and intellectual persuasions. This difficulty is compounded when the parties involved have an intricate historical and political relationship with the State. The distinctive and multifaceted historical relationship between the Native American Peoples and the United States Government presents unique constitutional and legal questions in determining what constitutes a proper balance between the rights of the citizens and the powers of the State. Furthermore, in determining the extent of religious protections afforded by the First Amendment, this case illustrates that the line between religious belief and religious exercise may not be as obvious or clearly defined as many would suppose.
Few things shock the conscience as deeply as the images of a helpless victim who is forced to suc... more Few things shock the conscience as deeply as the images of a helpless victim who is forced to succumb to the desires of a relentless sexual aggressor. The immediate response of many individuals would be to lash out and punish the aforementioned assailant for such a vile and despicable act, and garner retribution for the victim. After all, what kind of horrible, immoral, and soulless degenerate could possibly bring himself to forsake all forms of compassion and empathy, allowing him to commit such an atrocity upon a fellow human being?
Middle East continue to flood the desks of State Department officials and military leaders, it is... more Middle East continue to flood the desks of State Department officials and military leaders, it is imperative that US policy be primarily constrained to multilateral agreements aimed at achieving mutually accepted goals. Multilateralism may appear risky at times, but the long-term advantages of cooperation can outweigh the costs of short-term capitulation. Multilateralism and cooperation are crucial to establishing effective governing authority at the regional and local levels. Any attempts to establish stability in the wake of a political transition must rely on the use of a coalition authority, rather than relying solely on one-party rule. This same principle of cooperation can also be applied to international power structures and relationships. The already limited peace and stability in that region will continue to deteriorate and breakdown unless diplomacy and collaborative peace efforts replace the use of force and coercion.