racism in the media

www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/01/18/juan-williams-martin-luther-king-blacks-whites-pew-poll

This article discusses why in some papers, more specifically The New York Times and The Washington Post, did not cover Martin Luther King Day, and believes this to be the old rival between "us vs. them racial politics."  Pew Research Center for the People conducted a poll that showed majority of whites and blacks "believe values held by blacks and whites have become more similar in the past decade.  According to the article, the line between blacks and whites is slowly disappearing.  The article continues on about people finally agreeing that interracial living situations is becoming more acceptable and other progresses when it comes to blacks and whites intermixing.  However, since all this progress is being made, why is it not being covered in the media?  The author believes it is because black Americans and even more specifically, black civil rights leaders, don't want to even acknowledge this progress.  Why?  Because, "...blacks fear white America...might point to any admission of racial progress as evidence that there was no more work to be done to heal the damage done to contemporary American life by racism."  The author points out that there was plenty of room on newspaper pages for racial slurs and inappropriate words yet no room for the progress.  As the author writes, what would Dr. King say?   The author ends on a somewhat disgusted note, saying, "...maybe they, like the old hustlers and racists, think racial progress is not good for business."

This article points out many good yet bad things.  Firstly, there is a significant progree being made between uniting both black and white Americans.  The article states that interracial living situations are becoming more accepted and that black Americans are finally getting paid the same amount as white Americans.  However, with the good also comes the bad.  Obviously, black Americans are probably timid and nervous about this seemingly huge step.  At any moment, they probably feel like they could fall back and take two giant steps back, setting them back in their progress once again.  I definitely think they have every reason to be nervous and apprehensive about this.I can only hope for the best and contribute my own opinions on equality.  On the other hand, I think the media feeds off of "drama" and almost enjoys pointing out a racial slur.  Sure, it is definitely a big deal for someone to call a black American something inappropriate but does putting that news on the front page make everyone take a step back?  Does it make the black Americans think, "I knew this was too good to be true.  Nothing has changed."  And does it make the white Americans uncomfortable and guilty, therefore withdrawing themselves from black Americans?  These are all things to be considered when it comes to this sticky situation.

So, why does this matter? Why bother reading the obnoxiously long paragraphs above? Because this is happening around us and to the people around us.  Don't you want to be able to date and live with whoever you want, despite their skin color?  And don't you think everyone should get paid the same for a certain job, despite their skin color?  Any of these things could happen to you, to someone you know/love.  It's important to read things and pay attention to how race is handled in the media because you don't want to contribute to something that will have a negative affect on both black and white Americans. 

-audra