Thursday, August 24, 2017
Americans have been trying to have an honest conversation about race. Those conversations are hard to have, and often aren't successful. Could the media facilitate that conversation? What has been its role in influencing our thoughts on race? From early portrayals of African-Americans to what we see on today’s news, have negative representations outstripped positive ones? Host Mike Collins is joined by Eric Deggans from NPR and local guests to discuss.
Race is something that is hard for Americans to talk about- but here in Charlotte and around the country, conversations are happening because of events like the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott almost a year ago, other police involved shootings of African-American men, the rise in homicides in Charlotte, and the clash earlier this month in Charlottesville.
The way the media covers race sets the tone for the conversations we have in person. But are they doing a good job at starting those conversations?
Where is the media falling short in the race conversation? Has the way media has historically portrayed African-Americans affected the way those conversations happen-- and how people of color are perceived today?
Can this be corrected? How can we make the conversations about race productive and meaningful? Mike Collins sits down with a panel of journalists to discuss how the media covers race.
Guests:
Eric Deggans – TV Critic, National Public Radio. He’s also the author of Race-Baiter: How Media Wield Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation.
Glenn Burkins – editor and publisher, Qcitymetro.com
Anasa Sinegal – professor of Digital Media, Journalism & Communication at Central Piedmont Community College