Democracy Now

Evelyn Espinoza

March 7, 2014

Sociology 122

 

The video title “Angela Davis on Prison Abolition, the War on Drugs and Why Social Movements Shouldn’t Wait on Obama” starred Angela Davis discussing the issues mentioned in the title. The first issue Mrs. Davis addressed was prison reform and that often times this results in less people behind bars and alternative methods she is very hopeful of a future where social problems will not lead to such outcomes needing prisons. Prison abolition is something that came about during the 1970s and in reading this and actually considering the slightest chance that this would happen would take away so many jobs in the justice system. Also including all the services and programs for those who exit prison would no longer be needed but this would only occur in an ideal almost perfect world, which we are far from and truly is subjective. The second video, “Debate: Do Venezuelan Protests Reflect Popular Discontent or Old Qualms of a Divided Elite?” dealt with ongoing protests in Venezuela that have resulted deadly. Roberto Lovato spoke about the social stratification and the biases of media that does not give justice to the poor and portray them for what is really happening. The protestors are not going about it peacefully they are involved in killings and are being misreported. Margarita Lopez Maya reporting on the protests from Caracas describes the economic crisis that has stirred up the protests because of the hardships endured by Venezuelans.  I though it was interesting that the protests are occurring in the middle and upper neighborhoods because in the areas where lower classes reside such rights are not granted.  This is obviously a global issue that society faces because of the division of classes and social mobility is obviously not easily attainable and stirs up debate. The sad part is that lower classes are stuck because they are not given a voice nor the same liberties as those in higher class making the mobility questionable. Overthrowing the government because of such inequalities is highly unlikely just take a look at history and you will see why the doubt.

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/3/6/angela_davis_on_prison_abolition_the

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/3/7/debate_do_venezuelan_protests_reflect_popular