Lecture Notes: Moving the Race Conversation Forward

Introduction

• Topic: Discussion on how race and racism are portrayed in news media.
• Issue: Media often misrepresents racial justice issues.
• Objective: Understanding and fixing media portrayal of race.

Race Forward's Research

• Paper: "Moving the Race Conversation Forward"
• Scope: Analyzed ~1,200 articles from major newspapers and cable news outlets.
• Goal: Identify common mistakes in media coverage of race.

Key Findings

• Seven Harmful Practices: Identified by Race Forward, focusing on how media gets race coverage wrong.
  • Importance of reading all seven.

Focus: Individual vs Systemic Racism

• Common Trap: Over-focusing on individuals instead of systems.
• Levels of Racism:
  1. Internalized Racism: Prejudice and bias within an individual.
  2. Interpersonal Racism: Acting out internalized racism on others.
  3. Institutional Racism: Racist policies and practices in institutions.
  4. Structural Racism: Racist patterns across societal institutions.
• Interrelation: Both individual and systemic levels are crucial for racial justice dialogue.

Systemic Awareness

• Media Coverage Issue: Two-thirds of coverage lacks systemic awareness.
• Result: Misunderstanding of how racism operates, focusing only on overt acts by individuals.
• Misleading Narratives: Highlighting individual success stories as proof of no systemic racism.

Importance of Systemic Awareness

• Critical Issues: Incarceration rates, immigration, education, housing, healthcare, employment.
• Need for Systemic Thinking: Cannot discuss racial justice without considering systemic factors.

Conclusion

• Actionable Insight: Always question if media coverage is systemically aware.
• Further Reading: "Moving Our Race Conversation Forward" for more insights and strategies on racial justice.

Recommended Strategies

• Intervention Strategies: To foster real conversations about racial justice.
• Suggested Action: Engage with Race Forward's paper for deeper understanding and solutions.