NABJ discusses racial stereotypes
Brian Burke
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: News
The NSU chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists held an open forum on the depiction of minorities in the media on Wednesday.
The forum discussed the depiction of minorities in the media mostly in the sports and political fields, although their depiction in mainstream entertainment was also mentioned.
William Broussard of the NSU athletic department said there is a definite double standard toward minorities present in the mainstream sports media.
Broussard said the sports media sometimes glosses over fans' racially motivated criticism of athletes as normal while demonizing the athletes who respond to it.
"The media condemns the black athlete's response," Broussard said.
Broussard used the fan-instigated brawl between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers in 2004 as an example.
"The initial response from sports media was that the athletes were out of control," Broussard said.
Broussard said that while some of the criticism of black athletes is deserved, the media still hold some double standards.
"The media is complicit in the depiction of black athletes," Broussard said.
Randy Stelly, publisher of The Real Views, said that he is grateful toward the media for spreading the civil rights movement nationwide.
"The media was the reason why the civil rights movement was able to go forward," Stelly said. "Historically, the media portrayed us as victims."
Stelly, citing the Black Panthers and inner-city crime, said that this portrayal did not last forever.
"Eventually, the media portrayed blacks as militants," Stelly said.
When asked about presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, both speakers said that they were excited about Obama and the current state of American politics.
"I have not been as excited about our time, 2008, since 1968," Stelly said. "America is ready for change. Obama is change, he is transcending all boundaries."
Stelly also said that his excitement about Obama stems not from his race, but from his values and his stances on important issues. He said that the office of president of the United States was too important to make a decision based on race.
"I really think we should get beyond race and gender in running for president of the United States," Stelly said.
Both speakers were also in agreement about the depiction of minorities in mainstream entertainment.
"I don't think they're all negative," Broussard said. "I wish that blackness were depicted more diversely."
Stelly, in agreement, said there should be a better view of minority groups outside of niche markets like BET.
"We need a fair depiction of black families in our culture," Stelly said. "If the mainstream media would be doing its job, there would be no need for niche information."
The forum discussed the depiction of minorities in the media mostly in the sports and political fields, although their depiction in mainstream entertainment was also mentioned.
William Broussard of the NSU athletic department said there is a definite double standard toward minorities present in the mainstream sports media.
Broussard said the sports media sometimes glosses over fans' racially motivated criticism of athletes as normal while demonizing the athletes who respond to it.
"The media condemns the black athlete's response," Broussard said.
Broussard used the fan-instigated brawl between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers in 2004 as an example.
"The initial response from sports media was that the athletes were out of control," Broussard said.
Broussard said that while some of the criticism of black athletes is deserved, the media still hold some double standards.
"The media is complicit in the depiction of black athletes," Broussard said.
Randy Stelly, publisher of The Real Views, said that he is grateful toward the media for spreading the civil rights movement nationwide.
"The media was the reason why the civil rights movement was able to go forward," Stelly said. "Historically, the media portrayed us as victims."
Stelly, citing the Black Panthers and inner-city crime, said that this portrayal did not last forever.
"Eventually, the media portrayed blacks as militants," Stelly said.
When asked about presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, both speakers said that they were excited about Obama and the current state of American politics.
"I have not been as excited about our time, 2008, since 1968," Stelly said. "America is ready for change. Obama is change, he is transcending all boundaries."
Stelly also said that his excitement about Obama stems not from his race, but from his values and his stances on important issues. He said that the office of president of the United States was too important to make a decision based on race.
"I really think we should get beyond race and gender in running for president of the United States," Stelly said.
Both speakers were also in agreement about the depiction of minorities in mainstream entertainment.
"I don't think they're all negative," Broussard said. "I wish that blackness were depicted more diversely."
Stelly, in agreement, said there should be a better view of minority groups outside of niche markets like BET.
"We need a fair depiction of black families in our culture," Stelly said. "If the mainstream media would be doing its job, there would be no need for niche information."
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