Analysis Of Media Frames & Race

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Professor name

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Analysis of media frames and race

Introduction

Amina Al-Khatatbeh’s “Muslim Girl” and Holtzman’s and Sharpe’s “Theories and Constructs of Race” exhibits role of media in framing social issues of race and immigration. The arguments drawn by authors of both sources stresses on the media’s involvement in portraying events that influence perceptions of society. Holtzman and Sparpe have explained media framing Amina’s article is focused on discussing how representation of Muslims in media impact thoughts of people. Media encourage audience to look through the gender, race and class as constructed under the influence of historical and cultural perspectives. Thesis statement: Race and religion are constructed by media that control perceptions of the society.

Body

According to Al-Khatatbeh media portray Muslims as terrorists and violent that could harm Americans. The media has been playing negative role by criticizing the traditional values and cultural norms such as Muslim women with veils. This has resulted in more challenging situation for the Muslim women.

Textual evidence:

The author mentions, “things are only getting worse and especially for a Muslim woman, a veiled Muslim woman, one of the most visible religious minorities in the country” (Al-Khatatbeh 4).

Symbolism

The textual evidence suggests prevalence of negative stereotypes due to inappropriate role of media. Veil is used for associating Muslim women with their intentions of engaging in criminal activities. Veil is used for symbolizing disloyalty, terrorism and aggression.

Relation to thesis

The evidence is linked to the themes because it proves the role of media in negative portrayal of Muslim women.

Misrepresentation through media is linked to negative treatment of non-Muslims towards Muslims. The way media treat minorities like Muslims influence Americans to treat them in the same way.

Textual evidence

“Racial discrimination is an action or behavior that may result from conscious or unconscious beliefs (stereotypes) about a racial group or from predetermined feelings (prejudices) toward that group” (Holtzman & Sharpe 601).

Symbolism

The text uses the term unconscious beliefs that reflects the perceptions promoted by media about Muslims. Negative portrayal of Muslims become part of individual thoughts and they exhibit similar attitudes towards them during their encounter.

Relation to thesis

The evidence is linked to the thesis because it highlights the unconscious perceptions of people towards Muslims is the result of media’s overemphasis on negative aspects and historical events.

Article # 1 (cite evidence)

The author states, “we’ve seen a steady increase in hate crimes against Muslim women, unfortunately since he who shall not be named [Donald Trump] was elected” (Al-Khatatbeh 4).

Significance/ symbolism

The text has significance because it attempts to explain the reason behind rising crimes against Muslim women. The author has argued that the criticism of President Trump against Muslims, portrayed by media encouraged American citizens to show discrimination.

Relationship to thesis

The evidence is related to the thesis because it highlights the deteriorating impacts of media portrayal of Muslims as terrorist. The Negative representation of Muslims promote hatred and distrust among American population that can threaten the lives of people belonging to minority populations.

Article # 1 (cite evidence)

The authors states, inferior” people are subjected to violence, torture, murder, and destruction of property, which are seen as justified by white supremacist individuals (Holtzman & Sharpe 601).

Significance/ symbolism

The evidence has significant because it exhibits how damaging media could be for the minority populations. Media has always associated minority population with hate crimes such as murder, property damage and rape that gives a justification to whites for adopting bad treatment towards them.

Relationship to thesis

The evidence is linked to the thesis because it illustrates the existing practices of connecting minority populations with hate crimes. Such beliefs are promoted by media and influence mindset of white population.

Conclusion

The argument claims that the perceptions of society towards minority population are controlled by media due to its portrayal of race and religion. Al-Khatatbeh has identified media as a dominant agency in promoting hatred and discrimination against Muslim women. Holtzman and Sharpe have also identified the powerful role of media in imposing certain thoughts and perceptions such as by associating crimes with minority population.

Work Cited

BIBLIOGRAPHY Al-Khatahtbeh, Amani. Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age. New York Times, 2016.

Holtzman, Linda and Leon Sharpe. Media Messages 2nd Edition. Routledge, 2014.