For this paper, choose a current event that involves the depiction of a racialized group. Preferably, the event will be something that you will have an opinion about or will relate to. Find several articles from vastly different news sources on that current event. Preferably, find at least one article from a very liberal news source, one article from a very conservative news source, and at least two articles from moderate news sources. If available, also find a more extensive transcript of an interview with the important actors in the event (perpetrators and victims, if available). Put links to the articles into your document, with strategically paired off articles put together in sequence. Number the articles clearly. For the “flying while Muslim” version of this activity that I have done several times with students at a variety of schools, I chose articles about an event on November 20, 2006, when several Imams were removed from an airplane. The articles were from the following sources: Muslim American Society, Ann Coulter, Conservative Voice, New York Times, and Washington Post. I also provided a transcript of an extensive interview with the leader of the Imams (the airline declined the interview) from Democracy Now. The articles are provided at the end of this essay.
Activity Description:
Begin by discussing where you typically get your news and list all sources you normally consult. Do you remember the specific event you have chosen, and if so, what do you remember about the event?
Next, read the articles and note two things:
1. What are the details of the event that you learn by reading their article? List the important details of the article (similarities/differences, language/framing).
2. What do you think is the author’s bias?
3. How did you identify the author’s bias?
Finally, Compare your lists of details.
1. What does this tell you about news sources?
2. How does the news media support racial profiling?
3. There is obviously an issue with getting the whole picture of an event from any news source. What can you do about it? How can you remain an informed, smart citizen?
4. Think about an opinion you might have about a group and how that opinion might be supported by what you take from the news. Analyze your opinions
These are the six articles that I used in my version of this lesson on “flying while Muslim.”
Article 1: Militant Islam Monitor http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/2637
Article 2: Ann Coulter http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/printer friendly.cgi?article=158
Article 3: New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/22/us/22muslim.html
Article 4: Washington Post http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/nov/28/20061128-122902-7522r/? page=all
Article 5: MSNBC http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15824096/ns/us news-security/t/six-muslimimams-removed-us-airliner/#.T2 YHzHy92A
Article 6: Democracy Now! http://www.democracynow.org/2006/11/29/high flying profiling six Muslim leaders
Your paper should be three to four pages in length (bullet points should be used for the list of details in articles), double spaced, normal (12 point) font, ASA/APA format.
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