Seek out Diverse Perspectives and Sources of Information
Our discussion of the prevalence of racial bias in how violence is portrayed in the media continues. Today’s response is from Professor Lisa Schweitzer, who specializes in urban studies, particularly empirical analysis of social justice, environment, and transport in cities.
Bedrosian Center: What’s one thing we can do better to address biases in how the media portrays race and violence?
Bedrosian Center: Do you have any recommendations for interesting sites, blogs, or people to follow for anyone who might want some different perspectives on the news?
Schweitzer: We need more attention to geoethnic, independent media and for diversifying journalists and commentators in global media. I had gotten rather bored with NPR, but when they introduced Code Switch, NPR once again hit a cutting edge. At the individual level, educated people should feel an obligation to read, watch, and listen from a diversity of media perspectives in order to consider themselves politically and culturally informed. I don’t care if a perspective bothers you or makes you angry; there are more important things than how you feel when you read something. I read all of Thomas Sowell’s books when they come out, even if I don’t agree with the guy, and he often makes me furious. But he’s got a lot to say as a Black conservative.
This post is part of our series on Race and Violence in the Media.