# data[].attributes.body
I chose this image to represent to the political economy in todays society. The political economy refers to how economic systems and political structures affect society, who holds power, how resources are distributed and how certain polices may benefit some but put others at a disadvantage. While the news station itself might now focus on the "political economy", the stories and interviews they share indirectly reference the influence where money is being held, the gap between the rich and the poor and how public policies are shaped by private interests.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This Car Wash was the first minimum wage job I worked right out of high school . 

# data[].attributes.body
In 2018, I worked my first job at Bubbles Car Wash in Elk Grove, for $16 an hour. While that was higher than California’s minimum wage at the time , it was still considered low-wage labor, especially considering the physically demanding nature of the job versus how much it cost to live in California. From a sociological perspective, my experience highlights how minimum wage jobs, even those slightly above the legal minimum, often fail to provide economic security. I worked 10 hour days and at the end of every two weeks, was left flabbergasted at my take home pay. My experience shows how low wage workers bring in profits for businesses but are usually left economically vulnerable, as I really only had enough money to pay my phone bill and grab some snack through the week. I felt replaceable, had very little ability to negotiate my pay and performed labor intensive tasks without any long term benefits.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This was where George Floyd was murdered by police.

# data[].attributes.body
3. 38th Street and Chicago ave was an intersection where George Floyd was killed by police for sitting in his vehicle. This incident is a prime example of institutional racism because due to the way the police historically operate. In the past police have been known to target black or brown men and women and use excessive force in order to get them to comply. On top of this, officers are also known to assume guilt when it comes to people of color, giving more weight to the idea that it is a definite institutional issue. 5. In terms of who did not benefit from this: the entirety of black and brown communities as this situation made the fear of police brutality even more prominent.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Tommie Smith and John Carlos saluting to Black Power during the Olympic Medal Ceremony. 

# data[].attributes.body
This image is an example of the Social Inequality in America. I feel like this image connects best with that concept because this photo was taken at the 1968 Olympics, but at the same time the Civil Rights Movement was finally nearing its end. 7. The meaning of what this image represents could change depending on who is viewing it. Any white supremacist from this era would most likely view this image as the total opposite of what it represents and see it as offensive and even a threat to the patriarchy of America. 8. Something that is missing from this picture that is important to note were the dozens of Activists and children that died from 1950 to the late 1960's.

# data[].attributes.body
1. This quote is from an extremely influential civil rights activist James Baldwin. 2. I believe that this quote was aimed at racist White Americans who perpetuated discrimination and racism. The idea was to let people know that dehumanizing blacks and any other people of color would ultimately corrupt their humanity and even disrupt their moral compass as well. This ties directly into a Sociological concept called: "Symbolic Interactionism", because social interactions shape how we view ourselves and others. If people of color are constantly being discriminated against, it surely would only lead to a society that feels that way as a whole no matter what ethnic group was discriminated against first. 7. How does the meaning of this change depending on who is using or observing it?

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
George Zimmerman awaiting trial for the murder of Trayvon Martin 

# data[].attributes.body
The quote: "This guy looks like he's up to no good or he's on drugs or something" was the description George Zimmerman gave to the 911 operator because he thought an innocent 17 year old boy looked suspicious. The sociological connection I chose to use for this incident was racism. George Zimmerman stereotyped a Black teenager by suspecting him to be on some sort of substance and up to no good. This shows the extreme amount of racial bias in America and unfortunately, Trayvon Martin fell victim to that bias. In the past, being black in America has been viewed as somewhat criminal and even threatening through the media and through history. 4. During the coverage of this situation that made headlines, the news outlets benefitted by gaining more viewership and attention from the public during the trial process. 6. After the justice system let George Zimmerman walk free, it indicated that the system was not founded upon protecting black lives at all, furthering the distrust amongst people of color towards the criminal justice system.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This is a freeze-frame of the video series "What Would You Do?" Where a (actor) waitress verbally berates a Spanish speaking couple for not speaking English.  

# data[].attributes.headline
5. Waitress berates Latino couple for speaking Spanish 

# data[].attributes.subject
5. Waitress berates Latino couple for speaking Spanish 

# data[].attributes.body
This staged situation reminded me of the concept: Ethnocentrism. This term is defined by what culture an individual believes to be superior. Since this waitress is a white woman, the assumption is that she feels as if English is superior to Spanish or any other language or culture. 8. Something that may be missing from this video might be the deeper connection to how historically marginalized non-English speakers are in schools and even in professional employment settings. 7. The meaning of this particular berating could be seen by white Americans as something that was handled the correct way as opposed to something that was made to shed light on the ethnic bias we hold as American people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
These pens are an example of a pointlessly gendered product. 

# data[].attributes.body
Pens are the most gender neutral product a consumer can purchase, there has never been any difference in how a pen works for a man versus a woman. By implementing a line of pens "for her" BIC imposed a gender where one wasn't even relevant. The color and style of the pen seemed to be associated with femininity, reinforcing the idea that women need things that are prettier and softer even when it comes to things like office supplies. 9. Another way this quest might be seen is capitalism profiting from gender inequality, since the creation of a "female" pen doesn’t meet any real needs, it just creates a perceived need based on gender stereotypes. 10. An example of how people interacted with this item, thousands of people left amazon reviews mocking the idea that women need a special pen to function. This shows how people don't passively accept social meanings, they challenge them and use humor to undermine the product's intended purpose.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This is a clip from the popular TV show: "Schitt's Creek" Where an actor make a reference about how it's not about what's on the inside, but rather the external identifiers like the label.  

# data[].attributes.body
This quote is meant to emphasize substance over surface, challenging the idea that people must permanently identify as either male or female. This shifts attention away from rigid gender labels and toward the person’s authentic identity and experiences. From a sociological perspective, this is a great insight on the social construction of gender, thus making it a perfect example to tie into the concept of gender roles. 2. This example was created for anyone who felt trapped by labels like "man", "gay" or "straight". It was also created for educators who are trying to assist others in understanding identity in a more relatable manner. 8. Something this example might be missing that is worth noting is that everyone doesn’t necessarily have the freedom to be label free for example, someone who might be gender fluid might still be legally seen as "male" or "female", or might even be constantly misgendered due to the way they look.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Woman protesting over the Supreme Court's decision to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. 

# data[].attributes.headline
8. Dobbs V. Jackson Woman's Health Organization. 

# data[].attributes.subject
8. Dobbs V. Jackson Woman's Health Organization. 

# data[].attributes.body
In 2022 U.S. Supreme Court upheld Mississippi's Gestational Age Act, which bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. This landmark decision overturned nearly 50 years of precedent established by Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, removing the federal constitutional protection for abortion rights and returning the authority to regulate abortion to individual states. This situation is a great example of the concept: Social Inequality. Communities of color, particularly Black and Hispanic individuals, who statistically face higher poverty rates, are disproportionately affected by restrictive abortion laws, further making this a social inequity issues. Also, the ruling has led to clinic closures in several states, reducing access not only to abortion services but also to other reproductive health services, affecting those in rural or underserved areas. 2. This was created to hoping it would be challenged and eventually overturn Roe v. Wade. It was created for individuals that believed in "Anti-Abortion" and "Pro-Life". Their goal was to return the power to regulate abortion to individual states, where they hoped to restrict or ban abortion access. 5. In terms of who this didn't benefit; it did not benefit low income individuals who can not afford to travel to other states for abortions, since they might not have access to resources like childcare, transportation and paid time off.