Artifact #1: FAM398- A speech outline on the perception of blacks in the media.

This is an
example of the influence blacks had on the media. The speech touched on the act of Kaepernick
and how different anchors reacted to his stance.
Cheyane Bligen

Courtney

FAMS 389

8 December 2017

Perception Behind the Scene

Opening:

“It is easier to cast people as “thugs” than to grapple with the ways we as society haven’t listened
to and wouldn’t change”
-Jeanne Theoharris

Introduction:

Good afternoon, as you all know my name is Cheyane Bligen. Over a period of time, I have been

analyzing the social media accounts of those who provide the news for us. I wanted a better

insight on how different reporters of different networks went about delivering information to the

public.

Main:

I began with three completely different networks, and three different anchors. Within this

analysis you have Tomi Lahren, a conservative political commentator for FOX News, Don

Lemon, a black male, political commentator for CNN who is gay, and lastly Rachel Maddow, a

liberal political commentator for MSNBC, who is in fact also gay. Three completely different

people with different demographics all comment on the same type of news. The same news that

we tune into, the same news that steer our perception of one another.

Definition:
Perception: the ability to see, heat, or become aware of something through the senses. It is a

mental impression.

Media: the main means of mass communication such as broadcasting, publishing, and the

internet.

Continual:

In an interview with Toni Lahren between Tomi Lahren and Trevor Noah, it is clear to see the

difference within opinions of issues. When the issue of Black Lives Matter and Colin Kaepernick

came up in the interview, Tomi stated that Colin Kaepernick took out his perceived oppression of

black people on the national anthem and our flag. Tomi Lahren then proceeds with tweets and

airings following to state her opinion on the issue with Colin Kaepernick and kneeling for the

flag. Trevor Noah on the other hand responds on the air by speaking solely on the issue.

“If I march in the streets people say I am a thug. If I go out and I protest people say I am a rioter.

If I bend down on one knee..”

-Colin Kaepernick

After closely examining Tomi Lahren and Don Lemon’s twitter pages. I found different tweets

and videos that were released to the public. The tweets and videos released to the public is the

perception that is given to them.

Quotes from twitter:

“Guessing you’re not kneeling to bring awareness to 500 homicides in Chicago this year. The

“oppression” you recognize is rather selective…”

“Congrats to Colin Kaepernick for popularizing the hatred of America. Good work, bro. Your

buddy George Soros is so proud. #istand”

“How about these whiny football players go to local VFW and ask what that flag, service, and

sacrifice mean?”

“Breaking News: you’re not good enough to where anyone honestly cares if you play or don’t

play. Kneel at home.”

“Kneeling to “bring attention to injustice”. “You know Brown, Gary, Sterling but do you know

the name of any officer killed in the line of duty?”

“If you’re one of those ignorant crybaby fools who clearly will stop at nothing to destroy all

traces of our national pride & identity, just get the hell out.

“Perfect Leftist Idol: loves socialism, hates police, hates the USA, unemployed.”

Continual:

These are all tweets from Tomi Lahren. While on the other hand, Rachel nor Don Lemon took to

twitter to express their opinions on the matter of Kaepernick or taking a knee. Don simply reacts

to the situation on the air of CNN by simply stating facts and not opinions or his very own

perception of Kaepernick. “It’s about focusing attention on racial injustice,” says Lemon.
 Artifact #2: Anonymous Survey answers: This artifact contains a few answers from my

anonymous survey. Students were asked to explain their comfort levels on campus.

“Being at a PWI as a minority, I feel as if there’s few faculty in my corner. I feel as if the

campus culture is only ‘white people can be successful.’”

“I feel like better representation within the faculty would make me feel more

comfortable. I also feel like having teachers from diverse backgrounds gives students a chance

for different perspectives than what we’re used to. It’s hard to grow if you’re always surrounded

by the same people who all think the same way and your ideas or beliefs are never challenged.”

“Also, I know it is inevitable to have white teachers, but it is easier to relate to someone

that knows what being a minority feels like. It is easier to relate to them and for them to explain

concepts in a way for everyone to understand.”

“It’s overwhelming being the minority everywhere you go. I’ve learned to deal with it but

I still get anxiety when I walk into a classroom.”