The Barometer Online

Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Forum

Media Credit: Peter Strong Participants (from left) Shannon Warren, senior in ethnic studies, Vernita Friend, director of multicultural affairs for ASOSU, Jason Lunasin, activities coordinator for the APCC, Ashley Gray, freshman in pre-nursing and Lauren Dillard, editor-in-chief of The Daily Barometer discussed racism's impact on our culture and communities.

On March 4, 14 people - students, faculty, Barometer staff and Vernita Friend, director of multicultural affairs for ASOSU - sat down in the Barometer conference room to discuss racism in media.

The attendees came with stories they have personally experienced and have witnessed.

Just as participants of the other forums did - they laughed at the absurdity of some examples, rolled their eyes at others and frequently exclaimed the pervasiveness of the problems.

What was most clear from the participants is they are all - no matter what race or ethnicity - affected by racism and they are tired of it.

The forum also made it clear that media reveals inequalities that exist deep within our society.

Participants shared specific examples of violence, miscommunication, psychological damage, economic inequalities, disenfranchisement and an incredible administrative burdens (but worth it) of facilitating change and responding to discrimination.

During the forum, five common occurrences of racism in media were discussed and critiqued:

1. Mug shots and newsworthiness determined by race,

2. Racial differences in sports coverage,

3. Stereotypical roles - by race - in movie and TV plots,

4. Inadequate coverage of environmental racism,

5. Racial imbalances within newsroom demographics.

With the first common occurrence - newsworthiness assigned by race - journalists legitimize institutional inequalities and irrational views.

During preparation for the forum an example came up about covering crimes. Like, journalists being much more likely to publish mug shots of black suspects than they are for white suspects.

Continued...

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