Black Men: Murders As Marketing

Description

When a Black Man or Woman dies in some way, shape, or form, that person dies twice: once physically and again in the media. The knee on neck execution of George Floyd. The lethal injection of Brandon Bernard. Depending on how the story is told, the slain Black Man or Women becomes a marketing martyr used by Celebrities, Influencers, Activists & Politicians hogging camera time to build their platforms. First, we must understand the historical context of using the murders of Black Men as marketing, and how we can understand the intention of the news to make sure we are aware and thinking beyond what the media feeds us.

This can be an inflammatory topic, but Dr. Venus walks it real slow and comes from a standpoint of money and marketing, not about murder or morals.

Key Takeaways:

[1:42] Dr. Venus's intent is not to focus on the murders, but to encourage you to be aware how people and companies can use the stories and narratives to elevate their own platforms and make a name for themselves. She just wants you to understand how marketing works so that you don't get played.

[7:40] The intent of the news is to make known that which is abhorrent, extreme and exploitative. Humans have an innate desire to survive and scan the world around us for potential threats. It's what keeps us watching and emotionally invested. It's not personal, it's just how the machine is run.

[9:20] Media is designed to push your buttons. Good marketing can be so influential that it sways us to take actions and experience emotions we think are organic to us, but are really because of the clever design and influence of the message.

[11:40] Dr. Venus discusses the historical context of Black Men being murdered being used for marketing. In the Confederate Army's mind, they won the battle in South Texas in 1865. During Reconstruction in the North if they had honored Lincoln's intent, we would have a different history, but instead they celebrated the war heroes of the Confederacy and continue to still do so today.

[15:18] When Black people got free, the lawmakers created laws that were so impossible to follow that it made sure they weren't able to get their footing in society. When poor Whites and Blacks got together, they started to elect Black people in Congress, so Southerners spread rumors about Black Men raping White Women, which created fear and frenzy. This led to a public viewing of lynching Black Men and showing the bodies burning to make sure others saw.

[17:34] This "marketing" kept Black people scared and oppressed, and White people thinking Black Men were the enemy.

[18:01] Present day, we have activists, influencers, and celebrities such as Kim Kardashian advocating for Black Men not to get executed. While they may have good intent, we must look at what it does for their platform and what they might be using this marketing for.

[22:38] Pay attention to the headlines and what they choose to put in, and especially what they choose to leave out. Dr. Venus discusses both the Casey Goodson and Brandon Bernard stories and how the media manipulated what was in the headline, and what was omitted unless you did your own research.

[26:41] It's important to have context, otherwise you will get manipulated by the media and they will make money off you.

[30:26] Strategy always trumps emotions, and now is a crucial time to get clear on what you are marketing and build a life where you are paid for your knowledge rather than your time. The great equalizer is not race, it's money.

Quotes:

"Good marketing doesn't even look like marketing at all. It makes you look like you did that."
"They showed the bodies burning, they showed the legs twitching. It's called marketing."
"People build platforms and elevate their status through the deaths of Black people. And it's not new, it's historical."
"I don't mind losing an argument or being wrong, but I refuse to be used."
"While we are marching, they are making money."