Support Media Literacy Education

After the election, I thought my broken writing muscles would be immediately healed. As it turns out, the ideas are flowing but the attention required for any pen to paper work is still lacking. Today, though, I am going to do my best to push through because it is Giving Tuesday and I have an idea and a cause that I want to share.

Post election, I decided that the most important thing we, as a nation, need to do is focus on how and where we are getting our news. It is clear to me that we live in different realities based on where we are getting our information. I know too many people who are too kind and too smart to have voted the way they did if they had all the facts.

I admit, especially nearing the election, I curated where I was getting my information. I watched CNN and MSNBC. I read the New York Times. I listened to NPR. I couldn’t stand to watch or read or listen to anything that contradicted the narratives presented by these outlets. Am I guilty of narrowing my reach during this time? I sure am. And I know there are many people who went in the opposite direction.

After 2016, I had this same wish- to better educate myself and those around me in media literacy. It was clear then and more clear now that we all need to learn what unbiased news looks like. In 2016, I reached out to Michelle Ciulla Lipkin, a family friend and executive director of the National Association of Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) for guidance. She was awesome but I admit, my attention drifted and I began to focus on other things. But now I am back and I am asking you to join me.

My inbox is already swamped with emails from worthy causes in need of money this year more than ever (how many times have you written/said that phrase lately!?). But… if NAMLE hasn’t made its way to you yet, please visit their website, learn about their work and consider a donation.