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By Rohan Balakrishnan Nair
The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses. The press is so powerful in its image-making role, it can make the criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. This is the press, an irresponsible press.[1]
I. Introduction
In today’s society, the role of media in shaping public perceptions cannot be overstated. It holds immense power in influencing how we understand complex issues such as crime and criminality. This quote encapsulates the heart of the matter, raising a poignant question: does the media serve as a beacon of awareness, or does it instead misguide the public by influencing them to form false opinions through persuasive tactics, thus obscuring the truth? Most people today are aware of the famous George Floyd case, which led to increased media coverage and laid the stepping stone for today’s Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.[2] However, it remains pivotal for each one of us to look back at the numerous cases that sowed the seeds of racial injustice in the minds of the masses, partly due to how the media chose to represent them. The Kyle Rittenhouse Case (2020) stands as one of the crucial examples proving the detrimental effect biased reporting can have in shaping people’s perceptions.[3] The case talks about Rittenhouse, a white teenager who shot three people in Kenosha, where people were protesting over the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man. The highly polarized media coverage of this case depicted Rittenhouse as the epitome of a responsible patriot who defended his property and himself. In no time, he became a symbol of the vigilante and a symbol of white supremacy. This perception created by the media not only affected the public but also the jury, who acquitted him of all charges ultimately believing in the narrative of self–defence or as he said, “Part of my job is also to protect people.”[4] This article delves into the profound impact of media portrayal on our understanding of crime and justice, particularly in the context of the Black community. Through an examination of historical biases, microaggressions, and pervasive stereotypes that have marginalized Black voices, this essay endeavours to illuminate the intricate dynamics at play. It encourages introspection, urging me as a law student, to contemplate whether our society systematically confines entire communities within specific stereotypes, or if it is merely impractical to envision equal treatment for all without relegating certain communities to the margins.
II. Historical Context
In the 1980s, a captivating phenomenon gripped the attention of Americans as they tuned in eagerly to watch the show “Cops and America’s Most Wanted.” Yet, amidst the widespread fascination, a troubling reality emerged: the seeds of stereotypes and preconceptions were subtly sown in the minds of viewers, a phenomenon that went largely unchallenged and failed to provoke widespread concern. This analysis revealed that the majority of white characters in the programs (61.6%) were portrayed as police officers rather than suspects, whereas the majority of Black (77.0%) and Latino (85.9%) characters were depicted as suspects rather than police officers. Given that the majority of characters in the program were male, this study suggests that this form of “entertainment” perpetuates a narrative where Black and Latino men are cast as villains, while white men are portrayed as heroes, and the use of force by police is depicted as a natural and necessary means of restoring justice.[5]
Going down the lane of historical lessons that we should be remembering to retrospect our present, it stands pivotal to briefly discuss the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which take us back to Rodney Glen King, a Black man. Another significant example of how police brutality was a byproduct of any offence committed by Black people, irrespective of its gravity, strikes all of us with the inherent racial biases prevalent in society. Out of the four police officers who were accused of police brutality in this case, three were acquitted and the jury couldn’t succeed in coming up with a verdict for the fourth police officer. “The Rodney King case certainly punched a lot of buttons, especially in the minority community, who have made allegations about police misconduct and use of force. That case gave them the support they needed to bolster their allegations, and it certainly split the city apart. It touched on the divide that exists in the community.”[6]
In America, the coon caricature depicted Black individuals as lazy, buffoonish, and incompetent, serving to justify discriminatory practices and uphold white supremacy.[7] The term “coon” itself is a racial slur used to dehumanize and demean Black people, reinforcing the notion of white superiority. After examining the portrayal of African Americans in various television shows, it was concluded that Black people were often depicted in service or blue-collar roles such as house cleaners or postal workers, in contrast to their white counterparts who were often depicted as business executives and business owners.[8] Shedding light on Muhammad Ali’s interview, where he questioned why everything seemed so white, proves illuminating.[9] Isn’t it intriguing to reflect on the portrayal of characters like Tarzan, the king of the jungle from our childhood, consistently being depicted as white despite the story being set in the African jungle?[10] This oversight underscores deeper societal biases and perceptions. Additionally, it’s worth noting the satirical aspect of language, particularly in the use of terms like “Blackmail, Blacklist, Black market etc.[11] This prompts profound reflection on the inherent biases deeply entrenched within language and how they subtly shape perceptions and power dynamics, not only in historical contexts but also in contemporary times. Scholars like Bosmajian perfectly depict this linguistic gap, highlighting a systemic disparity and revealing how language often reflects and perpetuates societal norms and hierarchies.[12]
III. Analysis of Contemporary Media
In a new study released by PBS News, it was found that the majority of Black Americans perceive racist or negative depictions of their community in the news media. This critically raises questions about the lack of effort by the news media to cover the larger segment of their community. Additionally, the news channel reported that 40% of survey participants said it was important to see Black journalists report on issues about race and racial inequality, the race of journalists wasn’t that important about general news.[13] In the film, the first manifestation of Black criminality appears in the nation’s first blockbuster Birth of a Nation. The film is based on Thomas Dixon’s 1905 novel The Clansman: A Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan. This novel paints the Ku Klux Klan as the heroes of the South and Black people as a plague decimating the nation.[14] The pinnacle of the film is when a white woman throws herself off a cliff rather than let herself be touched and tainted by a Black man.[15] This dramatic action underscores the massive impact of racial bias, shedding light on how socially ingrained attitudes can lead to extreme measures just to avoid perceived racial contamination.
Today’s media harnesses its power to shed light on the misguided and detrimental approaches to these stereotypes. Documentaries such as “13th,”[16] are one of the finest attempts to demonstrate the gravity of the revolution during the civil rights movement. When the world was witnessing the uproar of the Black community, this documentary sheds light on some of the crucial perspectives which justify the reasons which led to this movement. The documentary not only focuses on contemporary issues but gives a holistic view of the continued effort to maintain the legacy of white supremacy by using tactics such as mass incarceration by the criminal system to suppress the movement and lastly using media as a weapon to fuel the negative stereotype of criminality with the Black people. While “Let the Fire Burn,”[17] is a 2013 documentary which depicts the bombings done in America by the Philadelphian Police Department on the MOVE organization’s headquarters, a Black liberation group. The documentary leaves its audience with a pertinent question to ask for the line between maintaining order and respecting civil rights. The impact of police brutality on African Americans with increasing racial tension and the fire caused by the bombings which killed 11 innocent people is tragic but a history to retrospect upon. While the 2018 film “The Hate U Give,”[18] yet again sheds light on the instance of an innocent Black teenager being shot down by the police, after mistaking him for taking up a weapon when he was pulled over by them. The movie draws attention to significant themes such as racial injustice, activism, identity, family &community and many others serve as powerful tools in this endeavour, to demonstrate how media can be transformed into a beacon of awareness for the masses.
Marvel, an American comic and media entertainment company is a cornerstone of modern pop culture. It is often famously known for its epic and legendary heroes such as Spiderman, Ironman and the Avengers. Every child has the ambition to have such magical powers after watching them from their childhood. The Marvel Cinemas revolutionized the comic industry and is now known for its iconic storytelling and captivating characters. Marvel comic creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby realized that they were alienating and excluding a significant portion of their audience with their current superheroes; although the majority of the superheroes in the comics were white, a significant portion of their readers were Black.[19] “Black Panther” was created as a radical exception to the existing stereotypes of Black inferiority; the hero was a king, had access to a plethora of advanced technology, and was the wealthiest character in the Marvel Universe.[20] The character was introduced against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement and the birth of the Black Power Movement, and his appearances in comic books were largely allegorical for real events and places.[21] Therefore, we have to stand collectively against racist perceptions as Malcom X puts it, “Early in life I learned that if you want something, you better make some noise.”[22]
IV. Viral Voices, Divisive Choices: Racism in the Age of Social Media
This article now analyses what role a ‘trend’ plays in this historical issue. It is an undeniable fact that social media platforms like Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram consume ample time in our everyday lives. These platforms allow rapid dissemination of information to the global audience in real-time allowing the society to voice out their opinions and display heightened support or condemn any type of oppression against humanity. A quick example of depicting the advantage of social media could be displayed by the global uproar caused in the year 2013 by the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the case Florida v. Zimmerman who killed Trayvon Martin,[23] a Black teenager in a disheartening shootout. The media here stood firmly with mobilization as its strongest weapon to serve justice and raise voices against racism. It’s a global platform which helps gather the evidence against injustices as in the case of George Floyd, a viral video of his death filmed by a bystander gained global attention.
Amidst all these advantages, social media instead of extending support towards the people, can also be a tool for harassing and trolling them. This not only leads to psychological torture of the victims but also leads to discouragement in participation which weakens the aim of the movement. Shaun King, an activist of the BLM movement has been a victim of social media threats and harassment. The aforementioned Rittenhouse case in this article, which led to protests in Kenosha is a perfect example of how social media leads to heightened polarization, by fuelling the existing beliefs of the people, by promoting the content that aligns with the user’s algorithm.
V. Impact on the Criminal Justice System
During the Civil Rights Movement in America, retrospective inquiries often ponder why the Black community appeared weak in its defence. Throughout the movement, the media consistently portrayed Black civil rights leaders as the greatest internal threats to the nation, depicting them as dangerous individuals, thereby shaping widespread perceptions and fostering the stereotype of Blacks as criminals.[24] An example of this could be Fred Hampton,[25] a pivotal leader in the Black Panther Party. He was responsible for not only organizing black communities but also voicing against police brutality. The FBI soon saw him as the upcoming ‘messiah’ of the movement, while the American media portrayed him as a violent criminal and an internal threat to the country, overshadowing his efforts towards empowering black communities through social reforms.[26] While leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X were also portrayed as violent criminals weaponizing their Black dissent.[27] Mobilizing the masses to support an alarming issue was a goal they always wanted to achieve. Eventually laying the groundwork for future revolutions, he was assassinated while giving a speech in Audubon Ballroom, Manhattan.[28] In times of such profound societal stakes, it becomes evident that one cannot mention the narrative of Black leadership without acknowledging how the criminal justice system, with full weight, weaponized its Black dissent.
News media have often reinforced a presumption of guilt and dangerousness assigned to Black people when reporting on crime while devaluing the lives of Black people and the harm they suffer when victimized. American media can and should do better in eliminating racially biased coverage.[29] Historically, police and other law enforcement agencies have targeted African Americans and accused them of violating the law. This targeting led to the incarceration, imprisonment, chain gangs, prison farms and other correctional facilities for tens of thousands of African American men, women, and children. Isn’t all this simply leading us to a very crystal-clear fact that the criminal justice system eventually transformed into a draconian procedure that justified and granted blanket acceptance and normalization of mass incarceration and police brutality against the Black community? The documentary “13th,” however, sheds light on an important statement made by Fred Hampton, which has left a profound impact on my mind. Hampton stated, “You can jail revolutionaries, but you can’t jail a revolution.”[30]
VI. Consequences for Black Communities
The development of perceptions and stereotypes about the Black community in America, originating from caricatures like Sambo, has deeply ingrained itself in societal consciousness.[31] These stereotypes, such as the portrayal of a docile and simplistic Sambo, perpetuated the notion of a contented slave, reliant on their master for direction and characterized by laziness. Additionally, media representations of the time further propagated these stereotypes, including figures like Jim Crow, the Savage, Mammy, Aunt Jemimah, Sapphire, and Jezebelle, which persisted well into 1998. This phenomenon isn’t confined to societal realms but also infiltrates the higher education system, where Black students are subjected to early exposure to racial microaggressions, hindering their path to success and perpetuating invisible treatment that sidelines their progress.[32]
While analysing this significant issue, what often escapes public scrutiny is the aftermath for these individuals once they re-enter society after serving their sentences for crimes they did not commit. The treatment of these individuals by society is particularly concerning, as they are often relegated to second-class status upon their return. This exclusion leads to a cycle of limited educational, healthcare, and employment opportunities, significantly diminishing their quality of life and perpetuating their marginalized status. Additionally, it’s crucial to reassess media portrayals, such as commercials, documentaries, and films, to ensure they do not perpetuate misleading narratives that jeopardize the rights of marginalized groups. In today’s society, it is imperative that we take proactive steps to prevent the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals.[33]
VII. Bias to Balance: Call for Responsible Journalism
In a society where media plays such a massive role, it not only has the power to form perceptions and bolster false stereotypes in the minds of the populace but also to influence legal outcomes. This creates a pathway for justice for all the people who are now victims of biased media coverage. There is an alarming need for responsible journalism and effective campaigns that could spread the enlightening message of such journalism.
Famous instances, such as the death case of Lauren Smith Fields,[34] a 23-year-old Black woman who was found dead in her Bridgeport apartment shed light on this issue. As the stereotyped notion continued, “Smith-Field’s case did not gain national attention until rapper Cardi B posted about the case on her social media account, which helped the story gain national attention.”[35] “Black women, girls, and femmes who go missing or are found dead are rarely reported on.”[36] This lack of visibility when it comes to their stories was the reason why the #SayHerName[37]campaign was birthed. The very emergence of this campaign highlights the heightened element of intersectionality in this fight against racism. A campaign and a call for including the unheard Black women who have been the silent victims of police brutality and anti-black violence. “The campaign highlights the point that the reason this instance initially didn’t get the concerned national attention is because the world only cares about crises when they impact White people.”[38]
VIII. Conclusion
In this essay, the author delves deep into how the media has shaped not only the minds of adults in society but also the youth who will carry forward the understanding and culture of the realm. When you dismantle and fill these fresh minds with flawed judgments and perceptions about people solely for the sake of punishment and control, showcasing superiority over them, you not only establish a tone of discrimination for contemporary times but also perpetuate a legacy of injustice and the acceptance of violence and stereotypes against Black communities, which ultimately shapes the present.
An essential point that warrants attention is the flawed notion underlying the white people’s boycott of Black people and their right to humanity. This notion presupposes that you need Black people to make white people feel white to affirm their superiority, thereby establishing their entire identity as superior. It is now imperative to wield media as a weapon to dismantle these stereotypes. We can draw inspiration from documentaries like “13th,” which contribute to society’s understanding of what is at stake. In conclusion, it is high time to utilize the media to instil a sense of social justice in the minds of the masses. Justice delayed is justice denied, and in this alarming time, we must act swiftly to ensure that justice is not just an abstract concept but a tangible reality for all.
“If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”[39]
References
[1]X, Malcolm (1965). The Autobiography of Malcolm X (Alex Haley, Ed.). Grove Press.
[2] Buchanan L, Bui Q and Patel JK, ‘Black Lives Matter May Be the Largest Movement in U.S. History’ (The New York Times, 3 July 2020) <https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html> accessed 13 July 2024.
[3] Karimi F, ‘Kenosha Shooting Suspect Called a Friend to Say He “killed Somebody,” Police Say, and Then Shot Two Others’ (CNN, 29 August 2020) <https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/28/us/kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-shooting/index.html> accessed 13 July 2024.
[4] Bosman J, ‘What to Know about the Trial of Kyle Rittenhouse’ (The New York Times, 28 October 2021) <https://www.nytimes.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-trial.html> accessed 8 July 2024.
[5] Oliver, MB (2003) ‘African American Men as “Criminal and Dangerous”: Implications of Media Portrayals of Crime on the “Criminalization” of African American Men’, Journal of African American Studies , 7(2), pp. 3-18.
[6] ‘Interviews - Judge Larry Fidler | PBS - L.A.P.D. Blues | Frontline’ (PBS, 7 February 2001) <https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/lapd/interviews/fidler.html> accessed 8 July 2024
[7] ‘The Coon Caricature’ (Jim Crow Museum) <https://jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/coon/homepage.htm> accessed 13 July 2024.
[8] Punyanunt-Carter, NM (2008). ‘The Perceived Realism of African American Portrayals on Television’, Howard Journal of Communications, 19(3), pp. 241-257. https://doi.org/10.1080/10646170802218263
[9] Ali, M (2020, August 18). Muhammad Ali Talks about Him Growing up Confused to Why Everything Was so “White” [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/RI6X386lc9A?si=GJd0_zRH7JpYkHCV.
[10] ibid.
[11] BURGEST D, ‘THE RACIST USE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE’ (1973) 5 The Black Scholar 37 <https://www.jstor.org/stable/41065603> accessed 13 July 2024.
[12] Bosmajian H, ‘The Language of White Racism’ (1969) 31 College English 263 <https://www.jstor.org/stable/374523> accessed 13 July 2024
[13] Bauder D, ‘Majority of Black Americans See Racist or Negative Depictions in News Media, New Study Finds’ (PBS, 27 September 2023) <https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/majority-of-black-americans-see-racist-or-negative-depictions-in-news-media-new-study-finds> accessed 8 July 2024
[14] Dixon Jr. T, The Clansman: A Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan (1905).
[15] Kirkpatrick, MA (n.d.). ‘Thomas Dixon, 1864-1946 and Arthur I Keller (Arthur Ignatius), 1866-1924’. In Documenting the American South (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). https://docsouth.unc.edu/southlit/dixonclan/summary.html
[16] 13th, (Ava Duvernay dir, Documentary Film, Netflix, 2016).
[17] Let the Fire Burn (Jason Osder dir, Documentary Film, Zeitgeist Films 2013).
[18] The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr dir, Feature Film, Fox 20th Century Studios, 2018).
[19] ‘Marvel Comics’ (Encyclopædia Britannica) <https://www.britannica.com/money/Marvel-Comics> accessed 13 July 2024.
[20] ‘How Marvel’s Black Panther Marks a Major Milestone’ (Time) <https://time.com/black-panther/> accessed 13 July 2024.
[21] Hubbard, J (2022). The Perpetuation of Criminalization: The Appearance of Black Criminalization in Fictional Movies. JSTOR, p. 34-35.
[22] X, Malcolm (1965). The Autobiography of Malcolm X (as told to Alex Haley). Grove Press
[23] Alvarez L and Buckley C, ‘Zimmerman Is Acquitted in Trayvon Martin Killing’ (The New York Times, 14 July 2013) <https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/us/george-zimmerman-verdict-trayvon-martin.html> accessed 14 July 2024
[24] 13th (n 16).
[25] ‘Fred Hampton’ (Encyclopædia Britannica, 18 June 2024) <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fred-Hampton> accessed 14 July 2024.
[26] Ibid.
[27] ‘Final Years and Legacy’ (Encyclopædia Britannica, 4 June 2024) <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Malcolm-X/Final-years-and-legacy> accessed 14 July 2024
[28] ‘People and Ideas: The Civil Rights Movement’ (PBS) <https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/godinamerica-civil-rights/> accessed 14 July 2024.
[29] Equal Justice Initiative (2021, December 16). ‘Report Documents Racial Bias in Coverage of Crime by Media’ https://eji.org/news/report-documents-racial-bias-in-coverage-of-crime-by-media/
[30] Fred Hampton, “You can jail revolutionaries, but you can’t jail the revolution” in 13th (Netflix 2016).
[31] Lemons JS, ‘Black Stereotypes as Reflected in Popular Culture, 1880-1920’ (1977) 29 American Quarterly 102 <https://www.jstor.org/stable/2712263> accessed 13 July 2024
[32] Solorzano, D, et al. (2000). ‘Critical Race Theory, Racial Microaggressions, and Campus Racial Climate: The Experiences of African American College Students’, The Journal of Negro Education, 69(1/2), pp. 60-73.
[33] Green, L (2023). ‘Negative Racial Stereotypes and Their Effect on Attitudes toward African-Americans - Scholarly Essays - Jim Crow Museum’. Jim Crow Museum. https://jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/links/essays/vcu.htm
[34] Fadulu L, ‘Lauren Smith-Fields Was Found Dead. Her Family Had to Beg for Answers.’ (The New York Times, 27 January 2022) <https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/27/nyregion/lauren-smith-fields-bumble-date-investigation.html> accessed 13 July 2024
[35] Asare JG, ‘The Pervasiveness of Racism and Bias in the Media’ (Forbes, 14 April 2022) <https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2022/02/28/the-pervasiveness-of-racism-and-bias-in-the-media/> accessed 8 July 2024
[36] ibid.
[37] ‘Say Her Name’ (AAPF) <https://www.aapf.org/sayhername/> accessed 13 July 2024
[38] Asare JG (n 23).
[39] X, Malcolm (1964, December 13). ‘If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing’. Speech at the Audubon Ballroom, New York City.
Rohan Balakrishnan Nair is a second-year BA.LLB (Hons.) student at O.P. Jindal Global University with a keen interest in Civil and Political Rights, Gender and Social Justice, and the intersections of law and human rights. His goal is to contribute to the discourse on legal reform and societal equity through research and advocacy initiatives.
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