Spring Break
Community forum: racism in media
Reid Parham
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Forum
During the coverage of Hurricane Katrina, even the captions associated with news photos showed differential treatment by race (Blacks "looting" stores, Whites "finding" in stores).
With the second common occurrence - racial narratives in sports - journalists perpetuate inaccurate, insulting views.
When profiling white athletes, the narrative frequently focuses on how hard they work and train.
With black athletes, however, stereotypical narratives of "natural talent" have problematic associations with antiquated views of Blacks as "savage" people.
With the third common occurrence - racial trends in entertainment media - stereotypes and unequal values run rampant.
In countless horror films, black characters fail to live through to the final credits, according to Terryl Ross, Director of Community and Diversity.
When films require Asian actors, casting calls have been placed for "very Asian men," which was discussed at the Hate Speech forum sponsored by the Asian Pacific Cultural Center.
With the fourth common occurrence - white and green-washing of American institutions - media failures further inequalities of representation, voice and justice.
As Americans have seen with the current global warming debate, well-funded interests are frequently heard over others.
When placement of waste sites, prisons, highways and other public services are discussed, media coverage of the "not in my backyard" (NIMBY) response appears to greatly favor white people.
In the journalistic pursuit of balance for arguments, giving weight to the "economic growth before people's health" arguments may not be entirely ethical.
With the fifth common occurrence - media processes centering on the white male perspective - the institution clearly fails to represent all of the world's interests.
With historical narratives of, "white upper class males drive society," society is quick to blame ills on non-white people, according to Lani Roberts, Ph.D., professor of philosophy.
With the second common occurrence - racial narratives in sports - journalists perpetuate inaccurate, insulting views.
When profiling white athletes, the narrative frequently focuses on how hard they work and train.
With black athletes, however, stereotypical narratives of "natural talent" have problematic associations with antiquated views of Blacks as "savage" people.
With the third common occurrence - racial trends in entertainment media - stereotypes and unequal values run rampant.
In countless horror films, black characters fail to live through to the final credits, according to Terryl Ross, Director of Community and Diversity.
When films require Asian actors, casting calls have been placed for "very Asian men," which was discussed at the Hate Speech forum sponsored by the Asian Pacific Cultural Center.
With the fourth common occurrence - white and green-washing of American institutions - media failures further inequalities of representation, voice and justice.
As Americans have seen with the current global warming debate, well-funded interests are frequently heard over others.
When placement of waste sites, prisons, highways and other public services are discussed, media coverage of the "not in my backyard" (NIMBY) response appears to greatly favor white people.
In the journalistic pursuit of balance for arguments, giving weight to the "economic growth before people's health" arguments may not be entirely ethical.
With the fifth common occurrence - media processes centering on the white male perspective - the institution clearly fails to represent all of the world's interests.
With historical narratives of, "white upper class males drive society," society is quick to blame ills on non-white people, according to Lani Roberts, Ph.D., professor of philosophy.
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