RACISM AND THE MASS MEDIA
The unique power that media wields over impressionable audiences coupled with the media’s constant misrepresentation of minority races results in an environment that catalyzes systemic racism.
Media and Racism (Arizona State University).
RACISM IS THE SOCIAL CANCER of our times. It erodes a single organism, then invades an entire society, eventually venting in violence and brutality. Through the advent of time, we notice groups that have a higher status and greater privilege than others often misuse their strength, using it to oppress minorities and exploit them. This system of racial oppression was not an accident of history, but instead, has been sustained intentionally by communities with greater superiority. Media has played a significant role, acting as a catalyst to share fraudulent misconceptions and discriminatory beliefs, pervading large demographics with racial framing, ideas, stereotypes, images, emotions, and practices. By understanding the role media plays in the cycle of systemic racism, we can begin working towards a hopeful trajectory.
A Conversation About Growing Up Black (Times).
Fanning the Flames of Hate: Social Media and Hate Crimes (The Economist).
TO COMBAT RACISM, some academics and psychologists may argue that parents and educators should discuss discrimination with their children. Gwendolyn Keita, PhD., executive director of the American Psychology Association’s Public Interest Directorate believes “one’s upbringing and influences in the earliest years of life also have a tremendous impact on how a person develops his or her perspective as it relates to bias and discrimination” (APA). Although racism has numerous underlying causes, it is important to understand the role of media in amplifying the issue. For example, PETER WESTACOTT, AN ASIAN AMERICAN, BELIEVES "THESE MISREPRESENTATIVE IMAGES CREATE MISLEADING, ONE-DIMENSIONAL SIMPLIFIED CHARACTERS THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT ASIANS CAN'T BE ANY CHARACTER WITH ANY PERSONALITY" (TEDx).
TO GET A BALANCED VIEW, it is imperative that we consider the perspective of those at the receiving end of such one-dimensional prejudice. Their opinions will certainly differ from those of academics and psychologists, as often times, they are just as vulnerable to single-sided stories as racists. By taking the attitudes of oppressed individuals into account, we are truly diversifying our knowledge and moving past toxic mindsets. Humanity cannot progress unless there is equal opportunity for every constituent to advance.
