African-American Media Rhetoric
From DigitalRhetoricCollaborative
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The representation of racial minorities, especially African-Americans, has been formed throughout the world in the form of media. This media form can come in art, from statues to modern television and are all valuable in analyzing the representation of African-Americans from slavery to present day, especially in the United States. Racism has sometimes interjected its way into the production of images and other portrayals of African-American individuals. Societal hierarchical norms have contributed to the use of powerful entertainment tools in media to configure the message they would like their audience to feel about a certain movement (Civil Rights Movement) or group (African-Americans). This concept can be dissected through the use of rhetorical canons and utilizing images, text and news broadcasts to understand the motives behind race representations in media.
[edit] Artifact Analysis
The cultural artifact for analysis is an article from The Detroit Free Press DFP Article, a newspaper founded in 1831. On the front page from May 4th, 1963, bold letters spell out the reality of the Civil Rights Movement- "DOGS, FIRE HOSES QUELL HUGE NEW RACE MARCH". In the accompanying image, African-American youth are seen hosting a sit-in in Birmingham, Alabama.
This analysis of this article is useful for comparison to other representations of the Civil Rights Movement to understand who, why, and where this article and accompanying image is representing, and the way in which they choose to do so. This article touches on different rhetorical approaches to make its point about, specifically, the demonstrations that were held by young people in Birmingham as a result of segregation. One example of a rhetorical approach is the insertion of a quote from a young African-American man who claimed to believe that there was little to be concerned about on the issue of "the phenomenon of integration and segregation". This may have been a conscious decision to detract from the other statements from many protestors that they were marching for freedom. The placement of the image and headline also were styled with the intention to draw attention to the story, but also to the title right underneath- "MARTIAL LAW DECREED IN TERROR-TORN HAITI". This parallel drawn through arrangement and style here between the two articles are apparent even subconsciously. Traditional persuasive modes have also been utilized through the wording of this article- the fact pointed out that "many of those participating in the demonstrations were children", "An injured, maimed, or dead child is a price that none of us can afford to pay.", and the call on the Kennedy Administration to intervene are all examples of appeals to pathos and desperation within the people affected by this movement. These choices with appeal to emotion are helpful in drawing an audience to have interest in or be shocked by a specific situation. When turning to image-based rhetoric, the use of a picture of sit-in protestors being attacked with high-pressure hoses by police offered a grave reality to those around the country who may have been unaware or ignorant of the magnitude of police brutality, offering an image that was undeniably emotional to see. Overall, the analysis of this article gives a reader an understanding of the types of rhetoric used and formed to represent African-Americans throughout different media forms.
[edit] Examples of African-American Representation in Art
[edit] Additional Resources
1) Scholar, Shannon T. Isaacs Mcnair, The Pennsylvania State University, Mcnair Faculty Research Advisor:, and Ph.d. Julie Horney. Portrayal of African Americans in the Media: An Examination of Law and Order (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
2) "Segregation in America & Slavery......not Any More." Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
3) "Rhetorical Analysis: Compare and Contrast Four Speeches on Civil Rights | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed." Rhetorical Analysis: Compare and Contrast Four Speeches on Civil Rights | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
[edit] References
1) Scholar, Shannon T. Isaacs Mcnair, The Pennsylvania State University, Mcnair Faculty Research Advisor:, and Ph.d. Julie Horney. Portrayal of African Americans in the Media: An Examination of Law and Order (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
2) "Segregation in America & Slavery......not Any More." Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
3) "Rhetorical Analysis: Compare and Contrast Four Speeches on Civil Rights | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed." Rhetorical Analysis: Compare and Contrast Four Speeches on Civil Rights | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
