It's 6 p.m. and, for some god-awful reason, you're watching Fox News.

Perhaps you got lost on the way to CNN, but nevertheless, here you are, watching a story unfold, told by one of the three token women reporters—very blonde, very white, very republican. From the slant of anti-Obama political analyses, or the right-wing spin on gun use, it's clear you're not going to get any "objective" journalism there.

So you move on to MSNBC, where it's a bit more palpable. But as you're watching national news break through, if you're liberal trash like myself, you find yourself agreeing with reports that are supposed to be neutral. Statements that, if I'm being honest, are a little too pro-Obama, and overemphasize leftist values.

It becomes painfully clear that there is no objectivity in media, not even on good ole CNN, where the network thrives on partisan drama. It is futile to look for "unbiased" news because it, like most unicorns, does not exist.

Whether it stems from propaganda or politics, the bias that attaches to media is often cited as the cause for societal detriments.

Sexism. Racism. Homophobia. Severe economic disparity. Underrepresentation in the workplace. Police brutality. Mass shootings. Misunderstanding of mental illness. Criminalization of homelessness. Without a doubt, these are all societal issues that are complex discussions in our nation. However, 9 out of 10 times, whenever a discussion on where exactly these societal issues come from occurs, someone will say, "I blame the media."

What exactly does that mean? We've all heard it. We've all said it. But do we know what or who we're implicating? Is "The Media" some sort of Big Brother entity, like in Orwell's "1984?" Is it some sort of god-like figure that delivers absolutes?

The concept of media is both everyone and no one. It usually refers to news and broadcasting, which, in itself, is a pretty abstract thought. In specific, the media reflects the values of society. Although it can perpetuate the wrong values, the media is us.

You and I.

So when we blame the media for our problems, what exactly is that doing? What is that aiming to solve?

In Authur Chu's piece on the Daily Beast, "I Blame People Who Blame The Media," he observes that journalism, despite all of its necessity, is usually cast off as full of invasive, overly ambitious characters who nose into the lives of rich people who just don't want to be bothered. In a way, we dehumanize reporters, much like customer service workers, so it's easy to use the media as a scapegoat if you don't consider the individuals actual people.

It's a cop-out answer. Plain and simple.

Back in my high school debate days, when someone said "the media" as one of their main points, I already knew I won.

"Blaming the media is old hat, a tired reflex," writes Chu. "Chris Christie blamed the media. Rob Ford blamed the media. Even President Obama, bleeding popularity and under attack from the Left and the Right, blames the media. Donald Sterling blamed the media. Adrian Peterson blamed the media. Both Ray and, disturbingly, Janae Rice blamed the media. Amazon blamed the media. Uber blamed the media."

But, tell me, after we're done playing the blame game, what is accomplished? Who won?

Before you dismiss me as an overly sensitive communications & media studies major, hear me out. I do understand that the "media," whoever that is, has some major issues. Sensationalism, slant news, yellow journalism, and all of that stuff the "Newsies" musical talked/sang about.

Although I do not think that news is supposed to be unbiased (I mean, what piece of writing does not have an implicit opinion, if not an explicit one?) I do acknowledge that the severe disparity in how exactly things happen and what news is reported can be explained my propaganda and political influence. However, where does that come from? People.

People.

That's the real answer. That's where all of society's problems rise, and that's where we should start: educating those who don't know better.

For your own benefit, I wouldn't avoid watching the news like some of my peers do in order to "stay above the fray," because that encourages ignorance, whether you "know" it or not.

Watch CNN, FOX, MSNBC, and NBC, read different articles via the internet and watch "The Daily Show," too, just to keep yourself honest. There's no such thing as unbiased news, so diversify your news sources and draft your own opinion. It's your life. It's your obligation.

You are responsible for your own knowledge, and, if you feel at a disadvantage through a societal issue, start attributing that to the people around around you. The people creating laws. The people influencing media. There, you have a valid argument. Do your research. It's all there.

But please, look for a reason that can actually stimulate change. Please, I am begging you, do more than just blame the media.