On Friday November 14, 2014, prior to the grand jury verdict, Minority Leaders in Communication (MLC) and the emerging Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity (CCDE) held a panel forum discussing recent events in Ferguson, MO surrounding the death of Michael Brown. MLC is an organization dedicated to the promotion and representation of minorities within the communication field as well as facilitating opportunities where students can converse and share their different perspectives on issues in the media. Seeing the Michael Brown story recently gaining widespread coverage, MLC advocated for an event that could assist in processing these events as well as changing the negative portrayals of black men in the media.
With an esteemed panel of professors, activists and leaders, the event, “From Rodney King to Michael Brown: Media’s Impact on the Portrayal of Black Males” opened up the dialogue about current issues we face that criminalize and stereotype black men. After panelists presented their personal statements, the audience was then invited to discuss solutions and action steps in an attempt to dismantle the media’s negative portrayals.
To kick off this event, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Director of the soon-to-be Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity, Ralina Joseph, shared her thoughts on why this topic is important for us as a community and as a university to discuss.
Along with Joseph, MLC President and honors communication student, Patrick Okocha, opened up the forum by setting the context and background information on the incidents involving Rodney King and Michael Brown.
The event then introduced the distinguished panelists who provided their professional and personal backgrounds as they discussed the media’s criminalization of black men in America. The first panelist, Senior Nonviolence Trainer Jonathan Lewis, flew in from Ferguson, MO to share his personal passion to institutionalize conflict management in schools.
The next panelist, Associate Professor in the College of Education Dr. Joe Lott, shared personal experiences of being categorized and stereotyped as a black man in society.
Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Affairs, Ed Taylor, discussed the chronological contribution that television and media has had on the livelihood of black males.
Civil Rights Leader and Nonviolence Trainer Rev. Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr. shared stories and experiences during the Civil Rights Movement and how the strains of these issues have been carried into present day.
After presentations, students broke out into small caucuses each led by a panelist and discussed solutions that would improve societal perspectives of black males.
Thank you to all of the esteemed panelists for your inspiring and provoking insights regarding this important topic, and to our sponsors, the Ethnic Cultural Center, African Students Association, Mortar Board Senior Honor Society and the Husky Union Building.
To view photos from the event taken by Kyle Hepworth, see them on Flickr. The Daily also covered the event.
