The Art of Muckraking

The term “muckraking” refers to a literary and loosely knit journalistic movement that flourished from 1903 to 1912. People who were muckrakers appeared to expose political frauds, corruption, and abuses of power. So in other words, muckraking is the art of exposing the secrets and lies that our country and superior systems keep from us. By pointing out the corruption and secrets our country has, the muckrakers hoped to lead the country’s people to reform. For example, the great activist Eugene V. Debs used his powerful speeches to expose the social corruption going on in our country during the Progressive Era.

I even consider myself a muckraker because in my two previous blogs, I sought out to expose the true ways of our government and how so much corruption is now running our country. Am I afraid to be silenced by the government? Well like Martin Luther King once said, “We start dying the moment we become silent.”

Our voices, especially ours (students) need to be heard if we ever want change. In order for our country to reform, we must have no lies and barriers that prevent us from seeing the truth. Our government should be telling us all of their plans and if anything unjust is being kept from us, we must expose the government.

Although many have been incarcerated like Eugene V. Debs was, and silenced for muckraking, it is our duty, especially us as journalists, to get the real story out and shine light on all things that are kept from us. It is our duty to show the people what’s really behind the curtain and if educated about the correct information, our citizens can lead this country to a politicial reform.