Reflecting on the End of Racial Representation - Chapter Discussion

Introduction

The reflection on the end of racial representation is the last chapter (chapter 12) of the book, "The Black Image in the White Mind: Media and Race in America." Chapter 12 summarizes and brings together the findings of the whole book, the significance of the findings and coming up with solutions to tackling these problems. The chapter and the book in general focus on the role of the media as a barometer of cultural change when looking at race and racial group dynamics. The media has both positive and negative portrayal of racial issues that have ultimately had an impact on the society's perception of race and racial signals.The writers, Robert M. Entman and Andrew Rojecki, are in this chapter putting emphasis on encouraging audiences and media practitioners to be aware of their role in racial comity with a goal of ending color consciousness which should not be a source of debate in the years to come (Entman & Rojecki, 2007). This paper aims at discussing the main points that the authors seek to convey from the twelfth chapter with key facts and arguments.

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A major point for discussion is the cultural cognitive process that the media has over the years used to categorize different cultures with various distinctions. The cognitive culture process is the process that forms distinctions among various groups (Stowers, 2007). The media has used this process by creating identities using shapes mediated images that form one's nation and people. Black portrayal through shapes and images are used to identify and determine the level of blackness that White Americans imagine of African Americans. The process sadly is also used by the African Americans to identify themselves in the community (Entman & Rojecki, 2007). Although different cultures and races behave differently and can be viewed distinctively, the media has played a major role in affecting the cognitive culture process (Gilbert, 2006).

Liminality and Ambivalence is an important point that chapter 12 discusses in length. Liminality is the concept that describes a race's (in this case Blacks) transition from rejection to acceptance. The media as a barometer of cultural integration and accelerator of both cultural separation and political conflict has been the biggest contributor to this concept. Indeed, the media's images and portrayal of Blacks has influenced the White's beliefs, fears, and hopes about the acceptance of African Americans. Racism has its roots in enslavement, domination and domestic repression which are an anathema to society. However, detached from political ends, their residue still exist. It is why still now, such behaviors as living in segregated communities and marrying within color lines are encouraged. Success for African Americans is achievable although hard work, restraint, and discipline are all Blacks need to succeed as depicted in the media (Entman & Rojecki, 2007).

The saints or sinner syndrome in chapter 2 is a true representation of liminality. Television has categorized Blacks to be either successful, virtuous and gifted or criminal, corrupt and dangerous. Marianne, a 26-year-old white female from chapter 2 further highlights this issue by identifying that there is never a portrayal of an African American doing normal things. The bipolar representation where African Americans are portrayed by turmoil and inadequacy more than success has affected the White American's perception of Blacks. These portrayals have led to White fear and rejection that have reinforced separation among the races in private spheres and support for ameliorative race policy in public circles (Entman & Rojecki, 2007).

Ambivalence is having mixed feelings about an issue. Considering that there are successful Blacks especially in athletics, business and in many other fields and at the same time, the Blacks are portrayed more for crime, corruption and living in unsecured neighborhoods has put the ambivalent White society at an awkward position (Stowers, 2007). The Indianapolis survey conducted in the book identified that Whites associated Blacks with poverty and welfare cheating even though they had been exposed to different images. An affirmative action brought out huge racial animosity seeing it as an area that Blacks wanted unfair policies. Incidentally, they failed to understand that this was a feminist action with a focus on women rather than to the Black race (Entman & Rojecki, 2007).

Cultural segregation is present in television's advertising and entertainment. Cable has broadened television spectrum which has created patterns of separation, disengagement, and exaggeration (Entman & Rojecki, 2007). Blacks and Whites appear differently with different stories that depict some racial difference, and particularly, the Whites have better roles in these shows. Films are more racial progressive but have a bit of bias similar to television shows attached to them (Gilbert, 2006).

Objectivity is a subject that needs to be highlighted to end media's castigation of Blacks. Objectivity is ensuring balance through the avoidance of bias (Stowers, 2007). It is important to note that objectivity is now becoming a major element of media coverage. However, this has failed to banish the problem. Instead, it has boosted the affirmative action debate which has promoted Whites' fear of Black crime and their hostility to Blacks' political and other interests. The dramatic appeal which is a journalistic approach has also caused social conflict. The depiction of Black advancement to hold White interests hostage has fueled the affirmative action debate (Entman & Rojecki, 2007).

Regarding the representation of races, Black leaders could be catalysts towards the overt group based government assistance that associates the African American community as reported in the media. Rather than report about a particular issue touching a particular Black individual, the media has also enhanced the racist suspicion by prototyping and representing the larger Black community and comparing them with White images as the criteria to look up to. Journalism is about the accuracy of information without the addition of inaccurate inferences. It is essential that journalism reports facts and follow these suggestions to help solve the issue: there are available facts relevant to race issue, e.g., crime statistics and welfare budgets, American societies should know about these facts without placing caveats, and self-critical awareness where facts are in dispute rather than close mind rejection or unmindful acceptance (Entman & Rojecki, 2007, Gilbert, 2006).

The writers recommend that the media should provide an accurate representation of facts, seek to create frames in audience's minds based on facts, and provide self-critical material that contextualizes and clarifies reasons for image depiction. It is essential that although journalism may feel undermined, using these guidelines will help tone down racial imagery created by the media. The writers recommend and encourage critical audience awareness and deliberation over media content to influence culture and society's perceptions of race and racial imagery (Entman & Rojecki, 2007).

In the end, the question that arises from this discussion is does the journalist have a responsibility of creating a mental image and representation in the audience's mind or does he/she create an accurate visual and verbal record an idea living the audience with the task of creating their own explanation and judgment about an issue? Are the representation as presented by Gilens about the over the presentation of Blacks as being poor and victims of crime stories as well as perpetrators of crime necessary (Entman & Rojecki, 2007)? All these have affirmative answers; however, it is difficult to understand the media's products, their reception and social implications which may be a factor for news reporting. Even with that, racial images mirror and shape culture. It is, therefore, critical that the media plays its role in highlighting society accurately without bias that creates better images about Blacks in the minds of their White counterparts (Stowers, 2007).

Conclusion

In conclusion, chapter 12 brings out important points towards the understanding of the media's role in creating and confirming an end to perceived racial tension. The press continues playing an essential role in shaping people's perception and culture conformity. Major points such as objectivity, cognitive culture process, culture segregation, and liminality and ambivalence form major discussion points in the chapter. In the end, it is vital for the media to understand that any move towards social responsibility is the right step towards social and cultural realignment, and may lead to profits in the long run.

References

Entman, R. M., & Rojecki, A. (2007). The black image in the white mind: Media and race in America. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

Gilbert, J. (2006). Alan Nadel. Television in Black and White America: Race and National Identity: Television in Black and White America: Race and National Identity.(Culture America.). The American Historical Review, 111(5), 1548-1549.

Stowers, G. (2007). Education, Racism, and the Media. Glimpse, 9, 70-74.