Don't Take Their Word For It

Social media is buzzing more than ever as we approach the upcoming presidential election. It's so easy to scroll through your feed and come across eye-catching headlines, videos, or tweets that immediately spark an emotional reaction. But during an election year, it’s especially important to pause and think before reacting or sharing.

Why? Because information shared on social media isn’t always the whole story. Misleading posts, out-of-context quotes, and even outright false information can spread like wildfire. Here’s why fact-checking and finding the full context behind social media posts are more important than ever—and how you can do it.

Why Fact-Checking Matters

1. Misinformation Spreads Fast: A tweet or Facebook post can go viral within minutes, especially if it plays into people’s emotions. Sometimes these posts are made without malicious intent, but other times misinformation is spread intentionally to manipulate public opinion. Fact-checking helps stop false information before it reaches even more people.

2. You Deserve the Full Story: A single quote or statistic pulled out of context can change how you perceive an issue. By digging deeper, you can better understand the full picture. This is especially important during an election, when candidates’ words and policies are often summarized in misleading ways.

3. Critical Thinking Leads to Better Choices: Your vote is your voice, and it’s important that you make decisions based on facts, not half-truths. When you fact-check and dig into the context of what you see online, you’re equipping yourself with the tools to make informed choices about the future of your country.

Tips for Fact-Checking and Finding Context

So, how can you make sure you’re getting accurate information? Here are some simple steps to help you stay informed without falling into the misinformation trap:

1. Check Multiple Sources: Don’t rely on just one tweet, post, or news article. Look for multiple reputable sources to confirm the information. If different outlets are reporting the same thing, it’s more likely to be true.

2. Verify the Source: Pay attention to where the information is coming from. Is it a trusted news outlet or a random blog? Reliable sources will often link to the original studies, official statements, or credible experts, whereas sketchier sources may use vague or unsourced claims.

3. Watch Out for Emotionally Charged Content: If a post is making you feel really angry, scared, or excited, take a step back. Emotional content is often designed to elicit a quick reaction, which makes it more likely to be shared without fact-checking. When in doubt, pause and research before you click “share.”

4. Use Fact-Checking Websites: Websites like Snopes, FactCheck.org, and PolitiFact are dedicated to investigating claims and debunking false information. These sites can quickly help you determine if something is true or misleading.

   
   

We all want to make our voices heard during this election, but it’s important to do so with integrity. Taking just a few extra minutes to verify information can make a huge difference in how accurately we understand what’s happening in our country—and ultimately, in how we shape its future.

In Conclusion: A Story of One Teacher's Pet Peeve

Every teacher has their own set of pet peeves. Some teachers fret over excessive tardiness, while others abhor the use of electronic devices for non-academic purposes. While those two issues remain in my top five pet peeves, there is one that grinds my gears even more - and that is using the phrase “in conclusion” to conclude an essay. 

Using the phrase "in conclusion" is not necessarily incorrect or forbidden, but it can be considered redundant or unnecessary in many cases. This is because the conclusion of your essay, speech, or presentation should be evident from the content and structure of your argument or narrative. When you use the phrase "in conclusion," it can give the impression that you are simply signaling the end of your writing or speaking rather than providing a thoughtful and engaging conclusion. 

Using the phrase "in conclusion" in an essay can also be seen as a cliche and may give the impression that the writer is simply repeating themselves or stating the obvious. Here are a few reasons why you might want to avoid using this phrase:

1. It can be unnecessary: Your conclusion should be evident from the content of your essay, and you don't need to label it as such. Your reader should be able to discern that you are wrapping up your argument and summarizing your main points without explicitly stating that you are doing so.

2. It can be too formulaic: Using the same phrase to conclude all of your essays can make them sound robotic and impersonal. Each essay is unique, and your conclusion should reflect that.

3. It can limit your writing: If you feel like you have to use the phrase "in conclusion" to signal that you are concluding your essay, you may limit your ability to write a creative and engaging conclusion that truly captures the reader's attention.

Overall, it's important to remember that a conclusion should be a natural ending to your essay, not an afterthought or an obligatory label. By avoiding this phrase you can create a more natural, fluid ending to your essay that truly reflects the content and tone of your writing. You can also help, at least one teacher, not lose their cool when they reach the end of your essay. 

What is Juneteenth

During this time of year, you may see people planning a celebration in honor of a holiday known as Juneteenth. From cookouts and parades to rallies and park parties, this holiday is a very big deal in African American communities and should be for you as well. 

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, or Jubilee Day, is a holiday celebrated annually on June 19th to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. This historic day marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the news that all slaves were now free, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

The story of Juneteenth begins with the American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. During this time, the issue of slavery became a central focus, with the Confederacy defending the practice and the Union seeking to abolish it. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were now free.

However, despite the proclamation, slavery persisted in many areas, particularly in Texas, where the Confederate army continued to enforce the practice. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, when General Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston and declared that all slaves were free, that the end of slavery in the United States was finally achieved. This news was met with both joy and disbelief, and soon celebrations began, with people coming together to sing, dance, and give thanks for their newfound freedom.

Since then, Juneteenth has been celebrated annually as a way to remember and honor the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday has taken on a variety of forms, from religious services to cookouts and community gatherings, and has become an important cultural tradition for African Americans.

In recent years, the celebration of Juneteenth has gained wider recognition, with several states and cities officially recognizing the holiday and celebrating it with events and activities. The holiday has also gained a renewed significance in light of ongoing discussions about racial justice and the need to address systemic racism in the United States. It serves as a reminder of the long and difficult struggle for equality, and as a celebration of the resilience and strength of a community that has overcome so much. On this day, we celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the fabric of our nation and honor their legacy of perseverance and hope.