Racial profiling in media coverage represents part of the ongoing racial discrimination in America. The media portrays and interprets stereotypes of all different races in our society, however, this preconceived notion leaves viewers with a negative standpoint on where each races parameter is within society. The media, whether unintentionally or intentionally, has fostered the growth of racial profiling in society. Racial profiling though needs to be first acknowledged in order to be effectively changed. Through the outlets of television, newspapers, magazines, radios, and more the media seem to have ethnic minorities as the primary focus of stories with negative issues. This is why racial profiling in media coverage represents part of the
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In 1991 a video was sent in of a black man named Rodney King being beaten nearly to death by four white policeman in uniform. This not only was nationally televised but many thought it was racially motivated, however, the four policeman were acquitted. This event led to the Los Angeles Riots of 1992 which most people assume was an all-black riot and the media scorned the blacks for this. What the media “failed” to disclose was that “According to reports, of those arrested, only 36% were black and of those arrested, more than a third had full-time jobs and most had no political affiliation. Some 60% of the rioters and looters were made up of Hispanics and whites. Yet the media did not report this underlying fact” (Balkaran). In 2001 the nation was struck with a horrendous devastation that not only people feared but used as an excuse to discriminate against minorities. This started an onset of racial profiling of Muslims, Arabs, South Asians, or any Middle Eastern with dark skin. The media not only prolonged this racial profiling that was going on in airports, newspapers, businesses and etc., but increased it because they themselves were doing it. Nasir Almasri an American Muslim said “unfortunately, the media and the general public still ask American Muslims and the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) how they are responding to the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks … as though we were affected any differently, as though we were watching the events from the outside” (Almasri). A present ongoing event of Racial Profiling are the cases of Trayvon Martin and Ferguson which are still being dealt with. President Obama spoke on the case of Trayvon Martin who was killed in 2012 stating “the African American community is looking at this issue through a
In 1991 a video was sent in of a black man named Rodney King being beaten nearly to death by four white policeman in uniform. This not only was nationally televised but many thought it was racially motivated, however, the four policeman were acquitted. This event led to the Los Angeles Riots of 1992 which most people assume was an all-black riot and the media scorned the blacks for this. What the media “failed” to disclose was that “According to reports, of those arrested, only 36% were black and of those arrested, more than a third had full-time jobs and most had no political affiliation. Some 60% of the rioters and looters were made up of Hispanics and whites. Yet the media did not report this underlying fact” (Balkaran). In 2001 the nation was struck with a horrendous devastation that not only people feared but used as an excuse to discriminate against minorities. This started an onset of racial profiling of Muslims, Arabs, South Asians, or any Middle Eastern with dark skin. The media not only prolonged this racial profiling that was going on in airports, newspapers, businesses and etc., but increased it because they themselves were doing it. Nasir Almasri an American Muslim said “unfortunately, the media and the general public still ask American Muslims and the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) how they are responding to the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks … as though we were affected any differently, as though we were watching the events from the outside” (Almasri). A present ongoing event of Racial Profiling are the cases of Trayvon Martin and Ferguson which are still being dealt with. President Obama spoke on the case of Trayvon Martin who was killed in 2012 stating “the African American community is looking at this issue through a