In this episode we explore how media portrays the White Suspect vs the Black Victim.
SUSPECT vs VICTIM- Remember this.
I explore first the history that the American Media has with black men. If you go back and look at movies like Birth of A Nation https://youtu.be/ebtiJH3EOHo you will see the racism in it. From BlackFace to setting the intention that when we see a black man we should associate fear with them. Even the music changes to a more suspenseful score. Making us not only see fear but also feel it.
I go over the different headlines that we have seen. The white SUSPECT always gets an BUT. Shooter had demons BUT was a brilliant student, or BUT he was a devoted Mormon. To remind us that oh he really isn't a bad person and lets now all start fearing white men.......
Then we start reading the Black Victim headlines, once again VICTIM, that hasn't done anything wrong. They don't get a but, they get a description to help the reader feel like well maybe he was up to no good. We see the possible drug related, gang related, tangles with the law, suspended from school. All words the keep pushing the narrative of fear. The short video that I reference is here Alexis Johnson speaks on this association the media has made between black man and fear. Why Do People Stereotype Black Men? Ask Your Brain. https://youtu.be/dEZY8TQVKgc
If you're interested in watching the video with the four actors talking about their own personal experiences here is the link to that. 12 Angry Men: A Conversation on Being a Black Man in America https://youtu.be/NTwRKn2v9FU
I bring up the Brock Turner case..Yes RAPIST Brock Turner. Who was written as the All American Athlete. I talked about the letter his victim wrote him and read in court and how powerful it was. If you have not read it please do so hear https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2852615-Stanford-Victim-Letter-Impact-Statement-From.html
As always any one that wants to add to this convo please do so. DM me, go to mywebsite www.brunchtalks.com and leave comments, or send me an email brunchtalkmr@gmail.com
I am going to put up a page on my website with examples of these headlines, feel free to send more my way to add to the page.
