Minorities and civil rights have a rather interesting history
but it’s a story about our future hope.
In the 1960s the Civil Right Act was passed. The American Congress made it possible for
changes to occur in our society that were to have reaching implications. Through this act it was possible to inspect
voter registration rolls, prohibit discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex, and national origin. It
also ensured there was equity in the sale, rental, and financing of
housing.
Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000),
a poet, teacher, and the first black to win the Pulitzer Prize wrote, “When you
use the term minority or minorities in reference to people, you’re telling them
that they’re less than somebody else.” But
with Christianity love is the greatest virtue, and there ought to be no
distinctions between people of different races.
Media & Civil Rights
The Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968) was in full swing with the aim to abolish discrimination. Its success was made possible through TV with
images of church groups, protestors, and sympathizers. Viewers witnessed brutality, sit-ins, freedom
riders, and marches, and clashes with the National Guard impacted the national
conscience. The Black Power Movement
(1968–1980)
countered stereotypes about blacks, instilled dignity in the race, by pushing
for economic and political parity.
In the late 1960s came the 11-member Kerner Commission
appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in response to the riots in American
cities. A national Advisory Commission
on Civil Disorders endeavored to ascertain the cause of the riots. What would prevent future occurrences? What was mass media’s role in the unrest and
how well were blacks served?
The Kerner Commission found that the media failed in its
mission to the black community. It was
believed that America was moving towards two separate and unequal societies -
one white, and the other black. The
media didn’t report the underlying problems that led to the riots. Further there was a predominant presentation
of white images to the detriment of blacks.
Black culture, history and activities were ignored and media didn’t
cover these issues.
America’s Diversity
America shares a common destiny. Ron Kind (b. 1963), who served as the U.S.
Representative for Wisconsin said, “For as long as the power of America’s
diversity is diminished by acts of discrimination and violence against people
just because they are black, Hispanic, Asian, Jewish, Muslim or gay, we still
must overcome.” America has come a long
way since then. The American culture now
shows examples of black visibility by having a voice in government, business,
and national affairs. When President
Barack Obama was elected to the White House some conditions changed for the
better. But blacks are still viewed
disproportionally to whites as perpetrators of drug and criminal offenses. Black leaders often criticize government and
the media for their failure of not adequately pointing out police brutality.
Window Dressing
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