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Even though it is believed that racism is a thing of the past the media promotes

racial disparity by the entertainment industry broadcasting the perceptions that are held

towards different races. One way the entertainment industry promotes racial disparity are the

movie roles that are subjected to a particular race and as a result the perceptions that are

perceived creates judgements . According to Stanford University, the subjected movie roles

indicate that No longer is it the blatant practice upheld by the law and celebrated with hangings

and beatings, but instead it is a subtle practice that is the "crown jewel" of the entertainment,

media and film industries(Horton). This quotation reveals that the we arent separated by the

law or any physical punishment, but we are divided by the constant perceptions shown to us by

movies. The movies that are shared among us clearly exposes the realities of how we perceive

those around us, and how the actors that are chosen to play certain roles differ from one another.

But movie roles is not the only factor that contributes to racial disparity.

Another factor that contributes to the entertainment system broadcasting racial disparity

is through televised programs. T.v plays an essential role in our lives as Americans and so does

the images that are transmitted to us. Studies found by Srividya Ramasubramanian suggests

Considering that television shows are laden with vivid, emotion-inducing content that stimulate

empathy and counter-empathy, it is understandable that they also evoke strong feelings toward

racial minorities (Ramasubramanian). This quote releases the lasting impact that television has

the impression, that we subconsciously place judgements on minorities. Television

singlehandedly promotes the disparity of race, it categorizes different races by the shows that are

aired daily. However television isnt the only component that influences racial disparity.

The last contributing factor to the entertainment system broadcasting racism is through

video games because they reflect the views of society. In many video games the characters
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involved are associated with actuality. In a study conducted by Ohio State, they established the

use of African American characters by Caucasian gamers, are more likely to act negatively and

belligerent toward the avatars. This study develops the idea that there is a strong correlation

between the characters portrayed in the video games and the realization of society. Video games

undoubtedly correlate with the media promoting racial disparity because of the characteristics

that are represented to society.

Even though it is believed that racism is a thing of the past the media promotes

racial disparity by society creating stereotypes and boundaries that are prevalent in our

daily lives. For instance, one of the major problems pertaining society is the lack of diversity

involving fashion designers. According to New York Times 12 out of the 470 council of fashion

designers are African American. This statistic demonstrates the scarcity of minorities in this

field. The fashion industry clearly promotes the disparity of race, because of the publicized

clothing that is worn in society and how the eminent designers are the majority. However the

fashion industry isnt the only argument that provides the argument of racial disparity.

Another element that contributes to society creating racial disparity is through

stereotypes. A stereotype is a received idea about a particular group of people and in most cases

are seen as negative. For instance, we perceive Asian Americans as intelligent and successful

because of what the media displays, however according to C.N. Le at John Hopkins school of

Education Southeast Asians the highest high school dropout rate in the country because of the

tremendous amount of pressure that are pushed upon them in result of their cultural stereotype

(LE) . This quote displays the negative aspects of stereotypes and the ignorance that comes with

it. The stereotyping of race aides society in promoting racial disparity because of the standards

that are created through the things we see everyday.

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Lastly society creates social disparity through the internet. People use the internet to

participate in social networking sites such as Facebook,Instagram,Twitter, etc. For instance, the

Black Lives Matter epidemic took social media by storm, however, David Bedrick an educator

and author made a strong point, he stated If we stop highlighting and focusing on black lives,

but instead focus more globally and generally on all lives, then we become complicit in not

seeing color as a factor in American life. Bedrick emphasized on how constantly saying black

lives matter creates the contrast in race and instead of bringing us together it separates us even

more (Bedrick). Society is signaling out what lives matter instead of coming to the realization

that all lives matter which is a key factor in promoting racial disparity and until society becomes

aware of that we will always have a line that separates us.

Even though it is believed that racism is a thing of the past the media promotes

racial disparity by the news exposing the roles that brings realization to the racial

imbalances in this country. The news singles out the coverage they broadcast to their audience

in a way that controls what the viewers hear and see. According to Carimah Townes black

people make up 75 percent of criminals discussed on local news channels, whereas they only

make up 51 percent of the actual arrest rate(Townes). This quote reveals that the news targets

African Americans and broadcasts them in a negative light. The graph below displays the

percentage of police officers portrayed on the news. The graph examines the most of the officers

displayed on the news are white. The news undeniably promotes racial disparity by the targeting

of African Americans and how they portray them to society. The news undeniably promotes

racial disparity by the targeting of African Americans and how they are portrayed to society.
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Another factor of how the news promote racial disparity is through the lack of minority

representation in news stations. According to Carlos Court Only about 40% of the nation's

1,600 daily newspapers employ any minorities in editorial staff positions (Court). This quote

symbolizes the disparity in the broadcasting industry, because the majority is dominating which

leaves barely any room for minorities. The lack of diversity in the news industry is a result of the

news promoting racial disparity.

The last contributing element of how the news promote racial disparity is through the

reports on missing children. Evidently not all children who are missing are broadcast on the news

but for the few that are, majority of them are white. Dori Maynard, president of the Maynard for

Journalism Education stated Often the assumption is that the white girls are quote-unquote
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innocent victims whereas with poor children or children of color, there's some nefarious

activities involved, ( Maynard). The significance of this quote is that Maynard reveals the

theory behind the news involving their favoritism towards the majoritys minority. The ethnicity

of a child shouldnt determine the possibility of a news coverage but it does, and in result a

distinction is created between races.

What this argument does not take into account is the news broadcasts the most interesting

and bizarre stories and that has nothing to do with race. Many other sources ,however,argue that

the news favor Caucasian children over African American children. For instance the Casey

Anthony story, it made headlines for peculiar reasons. According to reports from CNN Anthony

lied to the authorities about the last time she had Caylee and where. This story was broadcast on

every news station, not because Caylee, Anthony's daughter was white but because the case was

mysterious and it seemed like a never ending tale. But there are many stories that involve African

American children being abducted that we never hear about or see on the news. For instance we

have all heard about Amber alert but what about Riyla alerts ?

While the black lives matter controversy is popular it is not logical because the its

purpose is to bring awareness to the country. Many other sources however, argue that black lives

matter is a movement that brings communities together. For instance on the black lives matter

website they state the purpose of their movement and what they are trying to accomplish. On the

website it states Black Lives Matter affirms the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled

folks, Black-undocumented folks, folks with records, women and all Black lives along the

gender spectrum. They are saying that the movement is beyond African Americans, its for all

people of color. Its a movement that calls everyone together to fight social equality. However

this movement only applies to people of color. This movement isn't bringing people together, it
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is separating them even more.

What this argument fails to consider is that the internet and the social media sites actually

bring people together rather than separate them. According to Melissa Bell from Washington

Post, Very real human connections are being built online, and the inclusion of global concerns

as well as local ones can only serve to build empathy between peoples (Bell). This quote is

referencing how the internet brings awareness to tragedies that are happening in different parts

of the country, the world even. But the internet can also divide people by the negative things that

are posted online. People share their ideas and beliefs online that can sometimes offend others

and their belief. The internet, social media especially can create barriers that tear people apart

rather than bring them together.

In conclusion the media promotes racial disparity by the entertainment, news, and

society. The media is very powerful and leaves a lasting impact on society, but one question

remains. Will we continue to let the media control what we think, hear and see about others or

will we take a stand and address the racial inequalities that plagues the mind of society? To start

a movement change starts with you.

Works Cited

"AboutBlack Lives Matter." Black Lives Matter RSS2. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

Bedrick, David. "What's the Matter with 'All Lives Matter'" The Huffington Post.

TheHuffingtonPost.com. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

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Bell, Melissa. "Social Media Brings Us Together, but Too Fleetingly." Washington Post. The

Washington Post. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.

Court, Carlos. "A Long Way to Go: Minorities and the Media." A Long Way to Go: Minorities

and the Media. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

Grabmeier, Jeff. "Research and Innovation Communications." Playing As Black: Avatar Race

Affects White Video Game Players. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

Horton, Yurri, Raagen Price, and Eric Brown. "PORTRAYAL OF MINORITIES IN THE FILM,

MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES." PORTRAYAL OF MINORITIES IN

THE FILM, MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES. Stanford. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

Jiwani, Yasmin. "Racism and the Media." Racism and the Media. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.

Le, C.N. "School of Education at Johns Hopkins University-A Closer Look at Asian Americans

and Education." Education.jhu.edu. Web.

"Missing White Girl Syndrome." - When a Child Dies. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

"Race & Ethnicity | The Critical Media Project." Race & Ethnicity | The Critical Media Project.

Web. 20 Nov. 2015.

"Race & Ethnicity | The Critical Media Project." Race & Ethnicity | The Critical Media Project.

Web. 20 Nov. 2015.

Ramasubramanian, Srividya. "Television Stereotypes and Affirmative Action." Television

Stereotypes and Affirmative Action. Natcom.org. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

Townes, Carimah. "How News Outlets Help Convince You That Most Criminals Are Black."

ThinkProgress How News Outlets Help Convince You That Most Criminals Are Black

Comments. 25 Mar. 2015. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

Wihbey, John. "Racial Bias and News Media Reporting: New Research Trends - Journalist's
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Resource." Journalists Resource. 20 May 2015. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.

Wire Staff, Cnn. "Casey Anthony: 'I Didn't Kill My Daughter' - CNN.com." CNN. Cable News

Network. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.