Agitate Newsletter

Agitate is a personal project that arose after a student asked me how my studies of sociology have shaped my personal philosophy. More specifically, she asked me if my sociological perspectives compel me to be pessimistic. Whereas it's true that sociologists tend to focus on the bad news, I don't believe that constitutes pessimism. Indeed, most sociologists I know are interested in social problems, the less pleasant arenas of the social world, because they are interested in making the world a better place. They see sociology as a means of identifying solutions to problems as a first step to solving social problems. Though sociologists endeavor to be objective in their research, there is a bias inherent by virtue of the fact that we study society. Social activism is not unusual among sociology. Some might suggest that this is a liberal bias to the field. Perhaps this is true in many cases (though I certainly don't presume to speak for all sociologists) Certainly it is true in my case, though I'm not sure if my liberal bias influenced my choice of sociology or if sociology imbues my liberal bias. The best explanation may be that there's mutuality between my philosophical self and my academic self.

Regardless, Agitate is an attempt to express the mutuality between my socio-political beliefs and my academic life as a sociologist. Whereas it is incumbent upon the sociologist to pursue objectivity in his research, it is impossible to be a concerned human being without developing some bias as to what is important. Regardless of methodology, the two identities cannot be separated.

Agitate should not be read as a work of sociology, but rather as social commentary. I make no attempt to be unbiased. At best, it should be read by the student as an indicator, true to the mission of The Journal, of how the study of sociology can inform and enrich our personal lives. It is an expression of my belief that all academics, all philosophy, all science, should serve to enhance the human condition.

Volume 3: June 2009-Present

Issue 4 February 2010

"There's a bad moon lurking over the horizon. I can see its bloody rays casting a sanguine pall over the future of our country."

Issue 3 January 2010

"This year, Imagine seems to strike a different chord in me, one that resonates within and reminds me of my most basic tenet--that all human beings are, in essence, the same"

Issue 2 December 20009

"Obama offered us change we could believe in. Well, there are those who believe in Bigfoot and UFOs without actually seeing them. It appears that actual change in America will be equally elusive."

Issue 1 October 2009

"Rights are a social process of the people demanding that those in power treat them with dignity, and asserting such demands through whatever means available"

Volume 2: June 2008-Present

May 2009 Issue Below

"Surveillance is not a technology for keeping us safe. Rather it is a method for perpetuating elite interests...If we are not to be the pawns of the powerful we must not participate in their games."

April 2009 Issue Below

"Silencing scientific discourse...by equating it with political and religious extremism or apostasy is dishonest. If we are to have a real, critical discussion about global warming and the consequences then we must get past the claims of the conservative punditocracy."

March 2009 Issue Below

"...an administration dedicated to the Universal Rights of Man would not hesitate to prosecute torturers, but an office intent on keeping the straights of moral relativism open would be hesitant."

February 2009 Issue Below

"It's time to put our heads together, our voices together, and if necessary, our clenched fists together to re-invent the global economy. It's time to think beyond the prescribed dichotomies and find a third option that really does lead to a better, more stable, market for the working man who will certainly carry it."

January 2009 Issue Below

"Why should we subject the leader of the free world to lower standards than we would a school child?"

Issue Supplement: Obama Rubric

December 2008 Issue Below

"We were conned into offering up services that were held in the public trust as sacrifice to the free market gods. We privatized. As a consequence we placed matters of the public interest into the hands of those driven by profit rather than the common good."

November 2008 Issue Below

"To meet the demands placed on you as the new president you'll need to be possessed of the most unique combination of qualities...you'll need the vision and personal charisma of John Kennedy...the political aptitude and doggedness of Franklin Roosevelt...the wisdom and compassion of Abraham Lincoln."

October 2008 Issue Below

"There should be no doubt in anyone's mind at this point that free market principles fail in the long run. The most we've ever gained from such principles is short term prosperity followed by vast accumulation of wealth at the top of the social ladder."

September 2008 Issue Below

"No institution, no organization and no individual should be considered too big to fail while others in our society are allowed to languish."

August 2008 Issue plus Supplement Below

"It is the responsibility of the electorate to ensure that no person and no party becomes entrenched in the seat of government. No politician should be able to "count on" our votes due to party loyalty or the desire to be on the winning team. They should earn our votes."