Racism will continue to prevail in the U.S. due to the media's unnoticed reactions to African Americans and others of Black descent. With continuous coverage of negatives or non-coverage of relevant Black issues, it is no wonder that perceptions of the Black race have not progressed throughout the years and appear to be going nowhere. So, the media has played a major role in the insignificant, misguided reactions and treatments that Blacks encounter everyday throughout the country. Some practices include but are not limited to:
Bringing little or no coverage to the need for aid in countries with a majority Black population especially children who are starving and dying in great numbers.
Dismissing crimes committed in Black neighborhood as common but giving prominence to those crimes in white majority neighborhood where residents are of the false impression that they are living in "good" communities where no crimes should take place
Considering stories that depicts the strength of a Black person only newsworthy if the story can be turned around to highlight a white person that affects a positive outcome. Case in point - the unexpected meeting of a former rogue cop and the man he falsely arrested was covered on different news programs. While the story of Black man's forgiveness was newsworthy, the highlight of the media's attention was on the former cop's decision to become a better person. No emphasis was made to report that this former cop was a tyrant who got gratification from detaining and planting drugs on a countless number of Black men. The media made no effort to follow up with any of the falsely convicted men to see if they were so willing to forgive the cop for making their lives a living hell.
Neglecting to cover missing Black children and adults since their stories appear not to be as newsworthy as coverage of a white child.
Placing annoying English sub-titles on Blacks' interviewed in other countries, especially the African continent, who are speaking perfect English while an audience is left to figure out with no sub-titles those from European countries who clearly show their native language is not English with their distinct accents that makes it difficult to comprehend anything they are saying.
Not focusing on accomplished Black educators, scientists, business leaders, entrepreneurs, medical professionals and other high academic achievers. But, instead, bombarding audiences with frivolous news on glorified Black entertainers and athletes. This not only gives a false impression to the public that entertainment and sports are the primary options for Blacks to become successful, but the focus makes impressionable Black youth believe that going that route is only way to achieve success.
Omitting Blacks or rather dark-skinned Blacks from television commercials. Or placing a token Black to justify that they are reprenting the race.
Overlooking industries and companies that blatantly discriminate against Blacks and people of color. For instance, over-coverage of a white model breastfeeding a baby on a run-way at Miami Fashion week when no coverage was extended to so many Black models who were rejected from bookings because of the color of their skin and their natural hair.
Featuring countries such as Haiti, Jamaica, other Caribbean and African nations by videotaping and showing the depressed communities rather than including the beautiful surroundings and middle class life-styles of residents in those countries.
Reporting on Trump's racists practices to show this and other flaws when the media is guilty of engaging in the same racial practices is hypocritical. Until the media portrays the lives of Black people as important, then perceptions of Black people's irrelevance and low capabilities will continue to be seen in instances such as: surprise reactions to learn that a Black young lady on an airplane is actually a medical doctor and can attend to a passenger in need medical attention; or the person entering the courtroom is an attorney and not a court administrative personnel; or the Black person in the store is actually an engineer, architect, professor, etc. rather than someone casing the store to steal items. Until the media considers the importance of the Black race and makes an effort to portray this in the media, then stigma will continue to exist and there will be no end to racism in the U.S.
