PHILADELPHIA, PA \ March 24, 2012 \ DIVERSE NEWS \ OPINION– It was amazing how the mainstream media initially broadcast that, George Zimmerman, shooter of Trayvon Martin as being ‘White’, then how they propelled the story into an immediate ‘hate crime’.
It certainly was a shame that this boy lost his life regardless of racial implications. But the media was too quick to judge. Now look at all the protests that got started because of this irresponsible reporting.
ETHNIC OVERTONES
Now, the media is calling him a ‘White-Hispanic’ but wait – doesn’t the media call them, ‘Latinos’? It seems like they’ll do anything to get a ‘white’ in the story then question the racial/ethnic implications on-air but only when it is a certain racial scenario. For years they have been conditioning society to only understand that ‘Whites’ are racist. Arabs became officially ‘white’ in early 2001 but the media never calls them, ‘white’.
So, since everyone is white now, exept Blacks..who are going to be the racists – only the whites? The media usually targets ethnic-Europeans for this, though.
This is why we need to recognize ethnicity in all we do.
THE MEDIA AND WHITES
The media, along with the census, have made too many groups that fall into the white category. This leads to much inter-ethnic discrimination for those who are officially recognized as whites. As an example, say if we have the FDIC’s ‘fairness in lending act’ that only stipulates that they designate/disclose people by race, this could lead to only catering to some of those with the ‘white’ category to receive business loans while leaving out others in the white group.
ETHNICITY MUST REPRESENT THE PUBLIC IN ALL VENUES
To avoid this, we must demand ethnic-accountability in all facets of our lives. From your employer, for example, if someone is getting promoted ahead of you, and he is a white Irish-American and you are Italian-American, this then, could be grounds for discrimination if you think you are better qualified. The same as if the promotion went to an African-American; Jewish-American; Arab-American or Other-American.
You should also inquire about those in the media that are responsible for delivering news to you, as to not get just one ethnic-viewpoint. If you feel, that say, there wasn’t enough ethnic-recogintion for a story, and you are not sure what the anchorperson’s ethnicity is, then call the newsroom and ask what that person’s ethnicity is. It’s not a crime to do this. Remember, multiculuralism and diversity have been the bedrock principal of news reporting for decades now. You want to make sure that your ethnic group is represented just like any other group – but it must be fair.
BE ETHNICALLY ACTIVE
You can do the same for your representives, politicians and other public servants.
We all want to live in peace and harmony, don’t we?
Then do it: Recognize ethnicity in all you do!
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