With what can only be described as a chaotic, unprecedented period of political unrest gripping the country currently one cannot help but keep up with current events. News of the latest bombshell stories permeates into our daily lives, whether or not we want it to do so, and always gains access to our perception through different access points. These points could be those few friends who never stop sharing polarizing articles online or you seeing a shocking headline while passing a television that was left on. Regardless of the viewers’ own beliefs, it is hard to argue that much can be considered normal in today’s age where every source claims to have the definitive and final answers on whatever they happen to be reporting. It is always important to hear both sides of a story, but why not also hear what your neighbors and peers think when it comes to different issues?
I went out and interviewed everyday citizens of Benicia. Every person interviewed was asked two questions. What are some issues– local or national– that you think could use more attention or that people should follow? Second, what are some news sources you trust, and why?

Joe :“Climate change,” he immediately expressed. “The temperature keeps rising. One day it’s 85 out and the next it’s 105.”
He also added, “There is too much hateful and radical talk.”
He continued to explain that he did not want radical talk poisoning more youth, like his grandson that he was attending the Farmers Market with that day.
He explained that he did not trust any particular news sources and just liked to “hear both sides of an issue.”

Nancy: In regards to national problems, Nancy summed up her feelings by asking “Where do I even start?” then followed up by saying “A certain someone needs to be impeached.”
She went on to list some concerns for local happenings.
“The Farmers Market is smaller than it used to be. Activities in Benicia for families used to be larger. There should be more appealing activities too. The city should use the theatre on First Street more as well.”
She went on to say she trusts the Associated Press as a news source because biased articles are “marked accordingly for their spin.”

Brandon :“I’m concerned with that game called La Migra that kids at the high school play both as a father and a person of color.”
Brandon is a lawyer who recently moved to Benicia. For some context: La Migra is a game played annually by Benicia High School students where some students are supposed to sneak across town without being caught and “arrested” by other kids in cars. Those caught are often physically apprehended and tied up before being shoved into a car.
The game was made to emulate– and certainly make light of– the border crossing of immigrants from Mexico into the U.S., with those in cars playing the role of border Patrol agents or “La Migra” and those on foot getting from point A to point B as Mexican immigrants trying to cross the border.
Brandon feels that if a game like this still exists in Benicia then the city must “…not be as progressive as it passes itself off as being.”
Brandon further explained that he emailed “the city manager, the school board, City Council, everybody.” No action was taken by the city.
Brandon trusts SF Gate, The Sacramento Bee, The Washington Post, the New York Times, and countless more papers as reliable news sources and always looks to get varying views on issues.

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