Agendas Behind The Headlines
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an article back on August 16, 2006, with the headline, "'WTC' Casting Error Draws Flak From African-Americans". The article itself was reasonably balanced and informative. Unfortunately, I only learned of the article on September 18, 2006. and a Google News search turns up no other newspapers publishing the article. However, Google News only makes articles available for a limited amount of time, thus I do not know how many other newspapers--if any--it was published in.
My letter to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Dear Editor:
Use of the headline "'WTC' Casting Error Draws Flak From African-Americans" reflects poorly on your editorial judgment, and does a grave disservice to your readers.
It requires no great recitation of studies to point out the obvious, that many people do not have time to read every article in a publication, instead drawing much of their information from headlines.
Your headline first declares there was a "casting error". However, the only "error" was one of moral character. The producers of WTC chose to release their movie knowing that it contained a material falsification, altering reality to send a message more to their liking.
Next your headline asserts that the "error" "draws flak". The commonly understood definition of "flak" [flack] is, "excessive or abusive criticism".
Finally, your headline concludes with the claim that the "flak" is "from African-Americans". The clear and unequivocal message your are sending is that white Americans, Americans of Hispanic descent, Americans of Asian descent, Americans of Middle Eastern descent, Native Americans--indeed, all Americans except African-Americans--have no interest in the truth or in objecting to propaganda designed to marginalize a particular group of Americans.
It is often said that young African-Americans have few role models other than athletes and entertainers. However, it is advertising, and more importantly publications such as yours, that determines who is given the publicity prerequisite to a person having the opportunity to become a role model. Jason Thomas represents the best of America in any skin pigmentation, yet the mass media continues to focus on African-American athletes and entertainers, particularly when they can be shown in a negative light.
Sincerely,
Terry L. Clark
My letter to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Dear Editor:
Use of the headline "'WTC' Casting Error Draws Flak From African-Americans" reflects poorly on your editorial judgment, and does a grave disservice to your readers.
It requires no great recitation of studies to point out the obvious, that many people do not have time to read every article in a publication, instead drawing much of their information from headlines.
Your headline first declares there was a "casting error". However, the only "error" was one of moral character. The producers of WTC chose to release their movie knowing that it contained a material falsification, altering reality to send a message more to their liking.
Next your headline asserts that the "error" "draws flak". The commonly understood definition of "flak" [flack] is, "excessive or abusive criticism".
Finally, your headline concludes with the claim that the "flak" is "from African-Americans". The clear and unequivocal message your are sending is that white Americans, Americans of Hispanic descent, Americans of Asian descent, Americans of Middle Eastern descent, Native Americans--indeed, all Americans except African-Americans--have no interest in the truth or in objecting to propaganda designed to marginalize a particular group of Americans.
It is often said that young African-Americans have few role models other than athletes and entertainers. However, it is advertising, and more importantly publications such as yours, that determines who is given the publicity prerequisite to a person having the opportunity to become a role model. Jason Thomas represents the best of America in any skin pigmentation, yet the mass media continues to focus on African-American athletes and entertainers, particularly when they can be shown in a negative light.
Sincerely,
Terry L. Clark
posted by TLC's Place at 9:51 PM
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