Rhonda Fitzgerald-Hunter

Communications, Marketing & Creative Works

Tag: social-media

  • Facebook memories will humble you. 😂

    Facebook memories will humble you. 😂

    This popped up from 14 years ago, and I sat here looking at it thinking about how much my thinking has changed.

    At the time, I had no problem with drug testing people who received public assistance. My reasoning was pretty simple: people get drug tested for jobs, so why shouldn’t someone receiving taxpayer-funded assistance be tested too?

    And no, I didn’t believe everyone receiving assistance was using drugs. It just seemed like a reasonable requirement.

    But here’s what I wasn’t asking:

    How much does all that drug testing cost taxpayers?

    How many recipients actually test positive?

    How much money are we supposedly saving after paying to administer an entire testing program?

    And most importantly, even if somebody IS struggling with drug addiction, when did that mean they no longer deserve to eat?

    That’s the part that hits me differently today.

    We’re talking about people receiving a relatively small amount of assistance to buy FOOD. Not cash for a vacation. Not some luxurious lifestyle. Food.

    Addiction doesn’t eliminate hunger. Poverty doesn’t eliminate someone’s humanity. And children certainly shouldn’t go hungry because of something their parent may or may not have done.

    What’s interesting to me about this memory isn’t that I suddenly became smarter sometime during the last 14 years. It’s that I learned to ask more questions.

    The meme gave me a very simple fairness argument:

    “If workers have to take drug tests, welfare recipients should too.”

    And I accepted the premise without examining everything underneath it.

    Who created that framing?

    What does the actual data say?

    What does the policy cost?

    Does it accomplish what we’re being told it accomplishes?

    Who benefits from convincing us that another struggling person is the problem?

    That’s what media literacy does. It doesn’t tell you what political opinion you’re supposed to have. It teaches you to stop accepting somebody else’s premise before you’ve examined it.

    Sometimes growth is being able to look at something you posted 14 years ago and say:

    I understand exactly why that argument made sense to me then. I also understand why it doesn’t anymore.

  • The Reflecting Pool and the Reflection of Modern Media

    The Reflecting Pool and the Reflection of Modern Media

    Sometimes the most interesting story isn’t the event itself.

    It’s what people choose to believe about it.

    Over the past week, a simple maintenance problem at one of America’s most recognizable landmarks became something much larger. What began as reports of algae growth and peeling paint at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool quickly transformed into a full-blown online narrative war.

    Within hours, social media users were claiming sabotage.

    Some insisted activists had dumped chemicals into the water. Others claimed organized political groups were responsible. Posts spread rapidly, often accompanied by dramatic language, accusations, and certainty unsupported by evidence.

    At the same time, reporters from multiple news organizations were documenting something far less sensational: algae growth, peeling coating material, workers applying treatments to the water, and maintenance crews attempting to address the problem.

    The contrast was striking.

    One side of the internet was watching videos of people pulling large sheets of blue material from the pool and asking questions about construction quality, environmental conditions, and project management.

    The other side was constructing elaborate theories involving vandals, conspiracies, and political enemies.

    What happened next was even more interesting.

    The public began pushing back.

    Comment sections filled with questions that should have been asked from the beginning:

    Where is the evidence?

    Who was arrested?

    What chemicals were used?

    What proof exists that anyone intentionally damaged the pool?

    Why are we assuming sabotage before investigating ordinary explanations?

    Eventually, many conversations shifted from outrage to humor.

    The jokes became relentless.

    Photosynthesis was accused of being the real culprit.

    Algae became a suspect.

    Commenters joked that chemistry itself was being investigated.

    The humor revealed something important: people often recognize when a narrative is stretching beyond the available facts.

    The Reflecting Pool story illustrates a growing problem in modern media consumption. Too often, people begin with a conclusion and then search for evidence that supports it. Facts become secondary. Evidence becomes optional. Speculation becomes certainty.

    The result is a cycle where every event is immediately assigned a villain before anyone understands what actually happened.

    Sometimes vandalism is real.

    Sometimes corruption is real.

    Sometimes sabotage is real.

    But sometimes algae is simply algae.

    And sometimes a maintenance failure is just a maintenance failure.

    The lesson isn’t about a reflecting pool.

    It’s about how quickly stories evolve online and how easily assumptions can outrun evidence.

    In an era where information travels faster than facts, the most valuable question remains the simplest one:

    “What’s the evidence?”

  • Navigating Social Media: Engaging Nontraditional College Students

    Navigating Social Media: Engaging Nontraditional College Students

    In recent years, social media has become an essential tool for educational institutions seeking to connect with nontraditional college students – those who may be older, working full-time, or juggling family responsibilities while pursuing their education.  Understanding the types of social media platforms that resonate with this demographic, along with effective strategies and preferred hashtags, is vital for reaching and engaging these learners.

    Types of Social Media Platforms

    1. LinkedIn:  As a professional networking site, LinkedIn is particularly appealing to nontraditional students who are looking to advance their careers.  Colleges can use this platform to share career resources, job postings, and networking opportunities.
    2. X (Twitter):  While its user base tends to be younger, Twitter is effective for real-time updates and engaging in conversations around current trends in education.  Hashtags play a crucial role here for visibility.
    3. YouTube:  Video content is increasingly popular, and YouTube serves as a platform for tutorials, webinars, and testimonials from fellow nontraditional students.  This medium can help demystify the college experience.
    4. TikTok:  Although primarily associated with a younger audience, TikTok is gaining traction among various demographics, including nontraditional students.  Creative and informative short videos can effectively capture this audience’s attention.

    Effective Strategies for Engagement

    To effectively engage nontraditional college students on social media, educational institutions should consider the following strategies:

    1. Authenticity:  Share real stories and experiences from current nontraditional students.  Highlight their challenges and successes to create a sense of community.
    2. Supportive Content:  Provide resources specifically tailored to the needs of nontraditional students, such as time management tips, financial aid information, and study strategies.
    3. Interactive Posts:  Encourage engagement through polls, Q&A sessions, and discussions.  This fosters a sense of belonging and encourages participation.
    4. Consistency: Consistently post content to keep the audience informed and engaged.  A consistent presence helps build trust and familiarity

    Preferred Hashtags

    Using the right hashtags can significantly enhance the visibility of posts targeting nontraditional college students.  Here are some effective hashtags:

    • #NontraditionalStudents:  This hashtag specifically targets the demographic and connects them with relevant content.
    • #AdultLearners:  A fantastic way to reach older students returning to education.
    • #CollegeLife:  General, yet effective, this hashtag can attract a wide audience.
    • #StudentSuccess:  Showcase achievements and support resources.
    • #LifeLongLearning: Emphasizes the value of continuous education, appealing to nontraditional learners.

    Conclusion

    Social media is a powerful tool for engaging nontraditional college students.  By leveraging the right platforms, employing effective strategies, and utilizing targeted hashtags, educational institutions can create meaningful connections and support for this diverse group of learners.  As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, understanding the preferences and needs of nontraditional students will be key to fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment.

    By focusing on these strategies and insights, colleges can better serve nontraditional students, enhancing their educational experiences and outcomes in an increasingly digital world.

    References

    McFadden, C. (2020).  “Social Media’s Role in Higher Education,”  Journal of Educational Technology.

    Smith, A. (2019).  “Exploring Nontraditional Students’ Experiences.”  American Journal of Educational Research.

    Pew Research Center.  (2021).  “Social Media Use in 2021.”  Retrieved from http://www.pewresearch.org.