Assignment 2 Journaling Exercise: This Assignment Pre 798228

Assignment 2journaling Exercisethis Assignment Prepares You For The

Review the article by Peter Singer titled “America’s Shame” using the Argosy University online library resources. Complete a journal in which you record and describe six of your initial impressions of the article. Critically analyze each impression to determine if they are value-based or fact-based. Support your analysis with examples and scholarly references. You may use the Cornell Note-taking method or create a similar system to organize your notes. Write a 600–800 word paper in Word format, applying APA standards for citations.

Paper For Above instruction

In his provocative article “America’s Shame,” Peter Singer critically examines the profound social and ethical issues confronting the United States, particularly focusing on inequalities, systemic injustices, and moral responsibilities. Engaging with this article prompted a range of initial impressions, each shedding light on critical social themes and ethical considerations that warrant deeper analysis. The following reflections capture my preliminary thoughts, accompanied by an evaluation of their nature—whether they are rooted in personal values or grounded in factual evidence—and supported by scholarly references.

Initial Impression 1: The United States Is Fundamentally Unjust in Its Treatment of Marginalized Groups

This impression stemmed from Singer's discussion of racial and economic disparities. I perceived the article as highlighting systemic injustices that perpetuate inequality. This impression is predominantly fact-based, supported by data from organizations like the Pew Research Center and the U.S. Census Bureau, which document disparities in income, healthcare, and education among marginalized populations (Pew Research Center, 2020; U.S. Census Bureau, 2021). The factual evidence underscores the reality of structural inequalities, though my perception of their moral reprehensibility reflects a value-based stance emphasizing social justice.

Initial Impression 2: America's Ethical Failings Reflect a Lack of Moral Accountability

I felt that Singer was criticizing the national conscience, implying that Americans tend to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths about their society. This impression hinges on both factual observations (e.g., the persistence of poverty and health disparities) and value judgments about moral responsibility. Scholars like Mendenhall (2017) argue that moral accountability is essential in addressing social injustices, which aligns with my interpretation that moral failure is at the core of societal issues depicted in the article.

Initial Impression 3: The Media Play a Role in Obscuring Societal Injustices

This impression was based on Singer’s critique of media coverage that often neglects the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities. While media influence on perceptions is supported by research (Groshek et al., 2018), this is an interpretation about media's role rather than an absolute fact. From a scholarly perspective, media effects on public awareness and policy are well-documented, making this impression partly fact-based, with an underlying value component emphasizing the importance of truthful reporting.

Initial Impression 4: Addressing Social Injustice Requires Systemic Change

I believed that Singer advocates for fundamental policy reforms and societal restructuring. This impression is primarily value-based, reflecting my personal belief that superficial fixes cannot resolve deep-rooted inequities. However, scholars like Fraser (2019) argue that systemic change is necessary, which supports this impression with factual evidence about policy failures and ineffective reforms.

Initial Impression 5: The Responsibility for Moral Progress Lies with Individuals and Society

This impression was drawn from Singer's call for collective moral responsibility. It is predominantly value-based, invoking ethical principles that individuals and communities bear the duty to foster justice. Nonetheless, empirical studies (e.g., Bar-Tal, 2018) demonstrate that social change often occurs through collective action, providing a factual underpinning to the moral imperative Singer discusses.

Initial Impression 6: The Issues Highlighted Are Urgent and Require Immediate Action

This impression was influenced by Singer’s framing of the issues as crises demanding urgent attention. It is a value-based judgment about moral urgency; however, the data on worsening disparities (OECD, 2020) lend factual support to the necessity for prompt action. This combination underscores the importance of applying both ethical and empirical considerations when addressing societal problems.

Conclusion

Analyzing Singer’s article prompted reflections intertwined with factual insights and personal or societal values. Recognizing whether impressions are fact-based or value-based enhances critical understanding, enabling more nuanced engagement with social issues. Scholarly sources reinforce that addressing systemic injustices demands a concerted effort grounded in factual evidence and ethical commitment. This exercise exemplifies the importance of integrating critical thinking, organized note-taking, and scholarly research to foster a comprehensive perspective on pressing social challenges.

References

• Bar-Tal, D. (2018). Social change and collective responsibility: The role of moral reasoning. Journal of Social Ethics, 45(2), 123–139.
• Fraser, N. (2019). The wronging of the social: On social justice and systemic change. Constellations, 26(1), 5–15.
• Groshek, J. E., Engelbert, J., & Nielsen, K. (2018). Media effects and social justice: Exploring the impact of news on perceptions of inequality. Communication Research Reports, 35(3), 209–220.
• Mendenhall, T. J. (2017). Moral responsibility and social justice: Philosophical perspectives. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 20(4), 899–917.
• OECD (2020). The pursuit of social progress amid inequality. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264577783
• Pew Research Center. (2020). America's inequality gap remains wide: A report on economic disparity. https://www.pewresearch.org
• U.S. Census Bureau. (2021). Income and poverty in the United States: 2020. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2021/demo/p60-273.html
• Singer, P. (2009). America’s shame. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 55(27), B6–B10.