Amanda Rutledge

Period 2

Worries into Works: A Profile on Amy Goodman

Amy Goodman is a passionate woman unafraid of stirring the pot, so to say. Whether it

be from her socially relevant and polarizing content choice, or her clear messages that advocate

for reactionary measures, Goodman understands that being a public figure grants a lot of

attention. It is her mission to use her position to make others see her ideals and act up in return.

Through her unapologetic tone and irrefutable statistics, she creates simple but logical arguments

that attack the status quo and traditional values. According to Goodman, the social order of the

general public is in need of a major upgrade, one that is long overdue.

It is impossible to ignore Goodman’s strong viewpoints, even from first glance onto her

column. With a title of “Democracy Now!” a bold, imperative, statement that commands

political upheaval, it’s not hard to imagine that the average listener of Goodman falls left on the

political spectrum. Analyzing the title of the column further, as seen in the call in the form of an

exclamation mark, Goodman’s audience probably identifies as the subset of liberals strongly

interested in action. These individuals are not afraid to take a stand or protest for their rights.

They expect columns that reflect their inner strength and desire for a better world. Goodman, in

turn, creates content that follows the ideology and passions of younger liberals, idealistic with

notions of a future that promises equal right. More specifically, she identifies and takes hold of

fears that exist at the core of one’s being, or those created as a result of today’s political climate,

such as worries about police brutality or political squabbles. This connects her to her readers,

those with similar, pre existing opinions about social change. In her content, Goodman pushes

injustices into the spotlight of reader attentions. Whatever she chooses to focus on, be it sexual
assault or political victories, she is not afraid to loudly herald her opinions to make readers care

about issues. Understanding the privileges granted to her as a renowned radio host allows

Goodman to not only just reveal issues, but also make readers feel obligated to ​do something

about the political and social injustices we face today.

Goodman expects her readers to already be informed about broad injustices, and feels as

if it is her duty to fill in the blanks with specifics. For instance, in “Alabama’s Lessons for the

Democratic Party,” Goodman retells the history of Rosa Parks, the “troublemaker” who

“launched” the “civil rights era” and connects the past with the current Senate race. Goodman

uses a message that interlocks generations, and is able to argue a new point, that the Democratic

party needs reorganization, based on relevant and newsworthy events of which most would

already be aware. This interconnection is a theme seen in other works of hers. Goodman recently

wrote a piece on the death of Erica Garner and how her fight against police brutality was spurred

from the death of her father. Erica was the daughter of the man “whose chokehold death” was

broadcasted nationally, becoming “a flashpoint in the fight against police brutality.” The multiple

generations of political activism is a central theme of this text as well, and explains how past

events, like Erica’s father, Eric Garner’s, murder, can bring about a better future. It is almost

impossible that Goodman’s politically-aware audience would be unaware of the Garner family.

Like with in her Alabama article, however, Goodman uses popular events as a starting point for

her real message from which action must begin. Only half on this column is dedicated as a

memoriam for Erica. The other, more passionate part describes the protests that Erica led

following Eric’s death. Goodman believes Erica should be revered as an idol who “fought” until

“her last breath,” and who citizens should emulate in their assumed future political action (“Erica
Garner: Rest in Peace...and Justice). Here again is Goodman’s expectation for readers to do

something with their idealistic notions. With time, Goodman hopes to create an army of sorts of

those who wish to make political change, with her at the epicenter.

Goodman is particularly skilled at using specific quotations and concrete logic to create

an unapologetic tone. Her passion and personal desire for social equality is seen in her incredible

support for traditionally liberal values of equality and justice. Throughout all of her columns,

Goodman takes key questions or issues related to social justice and combines raw passion with

restrained reason, two contrasting schools of thought that, when combined, create an

impenetrable argument that withstands even the most brutal of attacks. Such a trend is seen in

recent articles detailing the trend of kneeling during the national anthem (“Taking a Knee,

Standing for Justice”), sexual misconduct (“I am Woman, Hear Me Roar”), and others. In the

latter, Goodman uses direct anecdotes in the form of tweets from women such as Tarana Burke

who are paving the way in the “Me Too” movement. Informal descriptions of Burke are followed

by irrefutable statistics of abuse and documented evidence of men in power taking advantage of

women. By including both the personal and objective elements of the Me Too movement,

Goodman contrasts deeply upsetting topics of sexual harassment and abuse with civil, collected

evidence that cannot be denied. This switch from emotional to factual is one that Goodman

employs often, in hopes of creating a complete argument that is impervious to any backlash. By

presenting an argument that is both logically sound and morally correct, Goodman is able to

widen her audience and persuade a large variety of individuals into believing her overall

message.
 Goodman’s column is as far from apologetic as humanly possible. She is direct in her

opinions and presents alarming information in a level headed manner. Clearly, Goodman is a

remarkably intelligent woman. Evident in her explanations of social change and her repeated

content on sexism in society, she understands that as a successful woman in the media, there will

always be those who try to “put her in her place” and shut down her ideas solely because of her

gender. It is imperative that Goodman is as assertive as possible in order to transcend those who

critique her work. By appearing as a strong woman with comprehensible values, she is also able

to project her ideals and hopes for a social reorder as well as connect herself to her audience,

fellow social justice “warriors” banded together in hopes of change. As the title of her radio

show quotes, true equality in America cannot wait. It is Goodman’s mission to ensure that

“democracy” really is “now.”