GIVE THEM AN INCH, THEY WANT A MILE: MEDIA DISCOVERY INTO THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Through the United States’ torrid history with race and the destruction of the Black body, there has been a constant frame in newsprint and the media. A succinct analyzation of the Civil Rights Movement and the involvement of these forms of comprehensive communication, have portrayed Black Activism negatively.
From slavery, Emancipation, and Jim Crow to the Civil Rights Movement; there has been no shortage of these adverse illustrations and representations. Newsprint has produced and promoted either racist or biased rhetoric throughout each of these “infamous” historical periods. Specifically, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s was with a sure purpose that was accomplished through a series of national marches and silenced leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Whitney Young, Gloria Richardson, and Roy Wilkins (O’Rourke, 2012).
Despite the meticulous efforts and the dedication of its leaders, there was a consistent methodology to promote and transform the motives of the movement, and the black bodies that participated. Much of these representations are present in newsprint images with demonizing captions and rhetoric filled with attitudes of “victimage” (O’Rourke, 2012). Print news coverage of the movement perceived these efforts of Black activism to be a major a push back to the nation and more specifically, the South. One of the most popular examples is the claim that the South was a “victim of slander, discrimination, and violence” (O’Rourke, 2012). This shift in discourse caused for a frame of Black efforts to be a “violent attack” and “threat” to the safety to the majority.
In addition to this, the images that were publicized and released to the public produced a negative perception of Black activism. Like the biased rhetoric, most the images were anti-black, amidst the efforts for the presence of pro-blackness (The United States Library of Congress, 2010). An exploration of these images, do not present the disparity of Blacks, but front page and cover newsprint are clear images of “white tears” and white fragility. A compilation of these images from The United States Library of Congress, show white faces that have been targeted or “threatened” by Black protests (O’ Rourke, 2012). The characterization of the movement, was only powerful for the black community and was rejected as only a “problem” or “nuisance” that The United States government was obligated to fix (O’Rourke, 2012).
Widespread media coverage allowed for this resentment to be solidified, written and projected to the American public. During the 1960’s newsprint has proved itself to be effective in fostering the anti-blackness that occurred during the Civil Rights Movement. The attitudes of disregard towards Black activism did not begin with this movement. However, it was a cornerstone in history whose success was not anticipated because of the images and rhetoric of newsprint. From this, issues of blackness (especially Black activism) are in retrograde, with consistent attempts to move forward and simultaneously pulled back by the unfavorable frame created by popular media sources.
References
O’ Rourke, Patrick Sean (2012). Circulation and Noncirculation of Photographic Texts in the Civil Rights Movement: A Case Study of the Rhetoric of Control. Rhetoric and Public Affairs, 15, 685-694.
The United States Library of Congress (2010). The Civil Rights Act of 1964:A Long Struggle for Freedom. Public Programs. Washington, DC: Author.
Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/public-programs.html
Word Count: 505
Word Count: 505
Good start, Faith. Your post takes up the role news discourse (text and images) plays in undermining the legitimacy of Black activism.
ReplyDeleteAlthough your essay puts this struggle in historical context, there is clear connection and relevance to contemporary activism in America today. Perhaps a brief mention of this connection would make this an even more compelling read.
Likewise, a clear discussion at the outset of the importance of "framing" in news and public discourse would help your readers make sense of the issues you've raised here. Nonetheless, as the opening post for a theme week on media and African-American activism, this makes a valuable contribution.
Moving forward, I urge you to work on the following. First, in terms of our "house style," there's no need to re-insert your headline in the body of your text. You've already got the headline in CAPS at the top.
More substantively, there are a few errors in punctuation and word choice you should work on. For instance, use the word "analysis" not "analyzation" as you have here. Then there's the improper use of a semi-colon in the first sentence of the second paragraph.
Likewise, some of your sentence construction is awkward. See, for example, the sentence that begins, "Specifically, the Civil Rights movement ....
Same with the sentence that starts: "An exploration ....
More substantively, you might want to explain the word "victimage." That phrase has very discrete meaning, so you want to tell your readers how you are using it. Lest we miss out on this important insight.
Finally, check your use of APA reference style. You haven't quite mastered it yet.
Again, good start. Keep it coming!
26/30 pts.