Do you think that this is true and why??!
Question: On a serious note, which we tend not to do that often here in P&S, I came across something on MSNBC that had my interest-racial profiling in the news.
Now before everyone gets all rowled up, lets remember who you are leaving your comments to. I am not the enemy, I'm simply a woman curious as to what the community is thinking. I do not tolerate bigetry and racism very well at all, so leave it at the front door, do not bring it in here PLEASE!
Now- a reporter with MSNBC (caucasian male) recently wrote an article about missing persons. We see them everyday right? Mostly young females- majority of them are white. Of all the Laci Peterson's, Chandra Levy's etc in the world, there have been few times when a missing person of the African American race is featured as often as some of the Caucasian women cases. Why do you think that is? Also, if this was not an issue, why do you think a Caucasian man would write this article and interview the president of NBC about who gets on the air?
Answers: On a serious note, which we tend not to do that often here in P&S, I came across something on MSNBC that had my interest-racial profiling in the news.
Now before everyone gets all rowled up, lets remember who you are leaving your comments to. I am not the enemy, I'm simply a woman curious as to what the community is thinking. I do not tolerate bigetry and racism very well at all, so leave it at the front door, do not bring it in here PLEASE!
Now- a reporter with MSNBC (caucasian male) recently wrote an article about missing persons. We see them everyday right? Mostly young females- majority of them are white. Of all the Laci Peterson's, Chandra Levy's etc in the world, there have been few times when a missing person of the African American race is featured as often as some of the Caucasian women cases. Why do you think that is? Also, if this was not an issue, why do you think a Caucasian man would write this article and interview the president of NBC about who gets on the air?
I agree that there is definitely a difference between the amount of media coverage for missing white women and children versus missing black women and children or, Mexican, Asian, or any non-white women and children period.
I believe it absolutely has everything to do with race, and I think it's because the majority of the audience is white, and a lot of white people, whether they admit it or not, aren't as empathetic toward minorities. As to why whites aren't as empathetic toward minorities... I believe the media has portrayed minorities as being the bad guys, the gang bangers, the thugs of society, the mothers who throw their babies in dumpsters, and when a minority goes missing, it's just another one of the other hundreds of thousands that have also gone missing. By favoring abundance over quality when reporting anything of a potentially violent nature that involves minorities, we all become desensitized and the victims become simple statistics.
i always wondered that too...it may have to do with the fact that african americans dont usually kidnap children...
I beg to differ, I watched Nancy Grace last night, and the whole 1 hr. episode was a bout a missing African American college girl.
true, i agree, its a shame,Ones skin color should not matter when someone is missing,kidnapped,,etc.
I think the news assumes that people don't care that black women are missing. Maybe most people really don't care as much as they do if a white woman is missing.
i think it definetly could have something to do with it when it comes down to the producers of the news and what they choose to cover.
Whether it is or not though, it is very unfortunate and sad to hear. I think it is just as important to report about a missing person regardless of how much money they have or what race they are. Unfortunately, there will always be a case left out of the coverage as there are SOO many of these missing persons cases and they can't all get air time. I think it is the job of the local media to bring it to the attention of the national media, in order to get that coverage.
Prayers for her and her family, as always.
I do think it is true and I do not think it is right. I had heard of Tamika Huston but not until a big deal (rightly so) was made of it. I do think an effort is being made (albeit very slowly) to get rid of the stereo typical/racist way we promote sad news stories such as these. I appreciate that you realize we are not all responsible for this travesty. Part of it has to do with the publicizing of the economic background of the individual. This is also a misconception. That someone from a poorer background could be less missed is ridiculous!
I can only say that I hope more progress is made in correcting this issue and more importantly that one day we won't have to broadcast such incidents. That isn't likely but the sooner it is publicized no matter who it is the sooner we may be able to find the missing person whether they be "red, yellow, black or white".
Sure it's true. It is human nature to try to identify with some form of group and then to oppress all others that do not belong to that group. I do not think it is a "black" thing. I think it is anyone who does not fit into the producers clique thing. They simply air pictures of people they are concerned about. Usually people who look like them.
What a wonderful day it will be when the media actually focuses on the public in a balanced way.
Sesame Street managed to accomplish this 40 years ago. Maybe MSNBC will eventually do it.
Hope that helps?
You know what sad to think it.. but we are not national news.. And the majority of the united states can care less if another black person comes up missing. No matter how much money we have.. the only time we make the news is when we rob steal and kill one another. or affect the bets in Sports.
It will not change in this day and time.. the only people to depend on is we our selves.. and email helps.. just think of the jena six.. it wasnt News until folk started sending emails.. to other people around the world thats when it made the news.. So in order for us to get the Pub we need to generate a buzz via the internet our selves first!
Sorry to say.. but you asked the question!
edit!! just sitting here thinking.. hell when was the last time you seen a profile of a missing mexican, Asian, or indian.. we dont count in this Country we made...
who owns the media? that's where you need to start looking...people of color will face this for a long time to come.
being of native american descent, (ojibwe), i get a kick out the the medias coverage of all minority groups...USA Today
recently had a minority poll, blacks, latinos, and asians...didn't even mention us first people. I also see immigration reformists saying we are all immigrants, hmmmm, my people might argue that fact...
people need to speak up, write letters, whatever it takes..
pretty white girls deserve to be found and be safe, just like pretty girls of color....cover them all, over and over..
Yeah a 1 hour episode on a missing black women who you can't even name is comparable to what? A years coverage on some blond, Natale Holoway, who is missing in Aruba?
Yes the media and unfortunately society at large (because society's perceptions are created by the media) do value a white person's life higher than a black person's life.
--And about the Drew Peterson case, know what they SHOULD be focusing on? the fact that the Boling Brook police department covered up his first wife's murder and all of his various marital problems.