http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/07/the-media-white-privilege/
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Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Media. Dylan. America.
Additional Article on the depiction of white shooters in the media:
http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/07/the-media-white-privilege/
http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/07/the-media-white-privilege/
Media. Dylan. America.
Washington post article about Dylan Roof:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/06/18/call-the-charleston-church-shooting-what-it-is-terrorism/
This article, written by an African American professor, Anethea Butler, shared thoughts on the rhetoric around Dylan Roof. As many people know, Dylan Roof is the white, mass shooter of 9 African Americans at a prayer meeting. Roof's specifically targeted this predominantly African American church that is rich in history of the progression of the black community.
This article addresses the different word choice the media uses when it is a white shooter versus a minority offender. Words such as, thug or gangster are associated with a black shooters. A Muslim offender is immediately thought of as a terrorist. And the rhetoric around white shooters is usually mentally ill or a loner. Dylan Roof was extended that same framing despite the fact he intentionally sought out a certain group to bring about fear and intimidation for a political message, the very definition of a terrorist.
In the article, Butler draws several instances where white shooters are categorized as just lone shooters or separate instances or a bad apple. With that mindset, the media will describe these shooters with certain words that are not afforded to people of color.
James Holmes, a 25-year old man who went on a killing spree, was described in the media from his childhood. As not being likely to do something so horrific or was a 'smart-kid.' The humanization of white shooters begins immediately.
Black people are not afforded this same luxury. Victims are dehumanized or bolstered. For instance, Tamir Rice a 12-year-old boy who was shot and killed by police while playing with a toy gun was described as a young man. In no way is 12-year-old, a preteen a young man.
The media has a responsibility to create a new frame. A more realistic frame. White offenders can no longer be given such cushioned rhetoric because it shapes public opinion further dividing. Truth-telling is imperative in media, and it will start when the media calls a spade a spade, and a terrorist a terrorist.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/06/18/call-the-charleston-church-shooting-what-it-is-terrorism/
This article, written by an African American professor, Anethea Butler, shared thoughts on the rhetoric around Dylan Roof. As many people know, Dylan Roof is the white, mass shooter of 9 African Americans at a prayer meeting. Roof's specifically targeted this predominantly African American church that is rich in history of the progression of the black community.
This article addresses the different word choice the media uses when it is a white shooter versus a minority offender. Words such as, thug or gangster are associated with a black shooters. A Muslim offender is immediately thought of as a terrorist. And the rhetoric around white shooters is usually mentally ill or a loner. Dylan Roof was extended that same framing despite the fact he intentionally sought out a certain group to bring about fear and intimidation for a political message, the very definition of a terrorist.
In the article, Butler draws several instances where white shooters are categorized as just lone shooters or separate instances or a bad apple. With that mindset, the media will describe these shooters with certain words that are not afforded to people of color.
James Holmes, a 25-year old man who went on a killing spree, was described in the media from his childhood. As not being likely to do something so horrific or was a 'smart-kid.' The humanization of white shooters begins immediately.
Black people are not afforded this same luxury. Victims are dehumanized or bolstered. For instance, Tamir Rice a 12-year-old boy who was shot and killed by police while playing with a toy gun was described as a young man. In no way is 12-year-old, a preteen a young man.
The media has a responsibility to create a new frame. A more realistic frame. White offenders can no longer be given such cushioned rhetoric because it shapes public opinion further dividing. Truth-telling is imperative in media, and it will start when the media calls a spade a spade, and a terrorist a terrorist.
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