Upon extensively following the elite medias coverage of the recent presidential inauguration a few basic observations became blatantly apparent.
Fundamentally it is clear that the media has profoundly influenced how the public thinks and feels about our president elect. Although not undeserving, President Obama is universally and blindly loved by the people and the media just as the untouchable civil rights figures of the past. This claim is obvious when examining the media's coverage of the inauguration and the days leading up to it. Not only does the media generally always bestow the light of hope and good faith upon Obama, they also negligently compare him to historical figures beyond criticism: JKF, MLK, even Moses.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A very important inauguration
As the inauguration of the first African American president has concluded, it is debatable if this very important occasion was commemorated appropriately in practice and in the media. Did the ceremonies and media coverage break American myths or simply propagate them. It may be impossible to definitively know. Regardless, these are my observations...
- In the New York Times article published on the day of Obama’s inauguration, times’ journalist Carl Hulse makes sure to note the racial significance within the first sentence of the article. The New York Times as well as the other major national newspapers has been quick to emphasize the racial significance of this historic day. Indeed, this emphasis transcends to American people of all colors, who are found more easily speaking of Obama’s African ancestry rather than his policy or character. Although the racial significance of the election and inauguration of the 44th president is undeniably historic, it can be argued that this excessive focus on the race of our president is counter-productive. For most of our collective history, America has been a profoundly racist society. With the election of our first African American president, American’s have begun to consider them selves post-racial. However, as Colin Powell noted in an interview following the inauguration ceremonies, Barack Obama should be considered a capable and qualified president in this political and economically trying time that happens to be African American. This is not to say that the race of our new president should not be remarked upon at all, on the contrary it is an incredible feat. Obama himself commented on the evolution of civil rights in his inauguration speech when he described himself as “a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served in a local restaurant.” However, Obama did not dwell on this as even the New York Times admitted. (NYT Only once in his 20-minute speech did he refer directly to America's segregated past, and to his own race as the son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas. <← greatest cheers from audience in this section)In a time of political and economic instability, the action of the future rather than the conflicts of the past should overwhelm the dialogue of the media.
- The election of an African American president is quite a change to the political spectrum; however, as Bill Clinton quoted to the New York Times, this is a time of new beginnings. Indeed, the change in ruling political parties and the change in governing style is the change we should be embracing on an equal if not higher scale than race. (change in all the things obama pledged: reduction of partisanship, reviving the economy and the middle class)
- The national newspapers emphasize the impact and excitement american citizens experienced at the inauguration (the numbers there show)
- “The countdown to Obama's oath-taking came as Americans gathered in Washington in record numbers for the inauguration, braving midwinter cold and heavy security to witness an event -- the swearing-in of the nation's first African American president -- that for many marked a dramatic break with the past and the dawn of a new sense of possibility.” ← Washington post basically says people are excited because of his race
- Also, emphasize Obama’s quick rise to power. This is a testament to his character.
- In a time of such political and economic instability the people are looking to hold on to something, trying to reassert American greatness. By clinging to this idea of post-racial society we right wrongs of past. Furthermore, we can more easily put all our hope into Obama’s hands as he is seen as the beacon of the end of racisim-tackling a huge problem of the past with a single sweep. What else can he do.
- Throughout the articles quotes about this racially historic day.
- Lots of comparisons between martin luther king and obama. NYT makes it seem like king’s struggles were meager. He came to national prominence not trying to elect an African-American president, but just trying to get us past the depraved practice of blacks being forced to endure the humiliation of standing up and giving their seat on a bus to a white person, some man or woman or child. Also, how far we have come
- Describe obama and king both as national treasures. Stylish, similar in age
- Articles which discuss the historicall importance of inauguration day often talk about mlk as well as other great civil rights leaders (lyndon b Johnson..)
- All in guise of human interest overcoming battle stories.
- Dischotomy in media and the president elect. Media continuiouslly bringing up racial accomplishments while obama makes slight mentions
- his inaugural is shaping up as a watershed event in the nation’s racial history — the culmination of the long struggle for civil rights. “It is a huge civil rights moment,” said the Rev. Jesse Jackson. “Barack Obama has run the last lap of a 54-year race for civil rights.”← as if the fight is over
- interest in washington a largely black community that is often ignored> day of service on mlk day. Focus on black aspect of this. He should be doing this anyways. Interest in local community.
“ The inaugural itself will be at the Capitol, which was built by slaves who baked the bricks, sawed the timber and laid the stone for its foundation. When Mr. Obama delivers his Inaugural Address, he will be looking out across the National Mall, which was once a slave market, beyond the White House, also built by slaves, to the Lincoln Memorial, honoring the president who freed the slaves.”
- While being African american is a huge deal on this day throughout the campaign barrack obama did not advertise himself this way. Couldn’t be niche character. Had to just be a person..how we should see him anyways.
- r. Obama’s inauguration might offer the nation a new turn, and from that the congregations draw hope. But race’s complications are many, and as these members are reminded daily, they often find themselves speaking from starkly different wells of understanding. The inaugural suggests a nation that, even in unity, experiences history from separate racial vantage points. ← the problems aren’t going to disappear
- In the New York Times article published on the day of Obama’s inauguration, times’ journalist Carl Hulse makes sure to note the racial significance within the first sentence of the article. The New York Times as well as the other major national newspapers has been quick to emphasize the racial significance of this historic day. Indeed, this emphasis transcends to American people of all colors, who are found more easily speaking of Obama’s African ancestry rather than his policy or character. Although the racial significance of the election and inauguration of the 44th president is undeniably historic, it can be argued that this excessive focus on the race of our president is counter-productive. For most of our collective history, America has been a profoundly racist society. With the election of our first African American president, American’s have begun to consider them selves post-racial. However, as Colin Powell noted in an interview following the inauguration ceremonies, Barack Obama should be considered a capable and qualified president in this political and economically trying time that happens to be African American. This is not to say that the race of our new president should not be remarked upon at all, on the contrary it is an incredible feat. Obama himself commented on the evolution of civil rights in his inauguration speech when he described himself as “a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served in a local restaurant.” However, Obama did not dwell on this as even the New York Times admitted. (NYT Only once in his 20-minute speech did he refer directly to America's segregated past, and to his own race as the son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas. <← greatest cheers from audience in this section)In a time of political and economic instability, the action of the future rather than the conflicts of the past should overwhelm the dialogue of the media.
- The election of an African American president is quite a change to the political spectrum; however, as Bill Clinton quoted to the New York Times, this is a time of new beginnings. Indeed, the change in ruling political parties and the change in governing style is the change we should be embracing on an equal if not higher scale than race. (change in all the things obama pledged: reduction of partisanship, reviving the economy and the middle class)
- The national newspapers emphasize the impact and excitement american citizens experienced at the inauguration (the numbers there show)
- “The countdown to Obama's oath-taking came as Americans gathered in Washington in record numbers for the inauguration, braving midwinter cold and heavy security to witness an event -- the swearing-in of the nation's first African American president -- that for many marked a dramatic break with the past and the dawn of a new sense of possibility.” ← Washington post basically says people are excited because of his race
- Also, emphasize Obama’s quick rise to power. This is a testament to his character.
- In a time of such political and economic instability the people are looking to hold on to something, trying to reassert American greatness. By clinging to this idea of post-racial society we right wrongs of past. Furthermore, we can more easily put all our hope into Obama’s hands as he is seen as the beacon of the end of racisim-tackling a huge problem of the past with a single sweep. What else can he do.
- Throughout the articles quotes about this racially historic day.
- Lots of comparisons between martin luther king and obama. NYT makes it seem like king’s struggles were meager. He came to national prominence not trying to elect an African-American president, but just trying to get us past the depraved practice of blacks being forced to endure the humiliation of standing up and giving their seat on a bus to a white person, some man or woman or child. Also, how far we have come
- Describe obama and king both as national treasures. Stylish, similar in age
- Articles which discuss the historicall importance of inauguration day often talk about mlk as well as other great civil rights leaders (lyndon b Johnson..)
- All in guise of human interest overcoming battle stories.
- Dischotomy in media and the president elect. Media continuiouslly bringing up racial accomplishments while obama makes slight mentions
- his inaugural is shaping up as a watershed event in the nation’s racial history — the culmination of the long struggle for civil rights. “It is a huge civil rights moment,” said the Rev. Jesse Jackson. “Barack Obama has run the last lap of a 54-year race for civil rights.”← as if the fight is over
- interest in washington a largely black community that is often ignored> day of service on mlk day. Focus on black aspect of this. He should be doing this anyways. Interest in local community.
“ The inaugural itself will be at the Capitol, which was built by slaves who baked the bricks, sawed the timber and laid the stone for its foundation. When Mr. Obama delivers his Inaugural Address, he will be looking out across the National Mall, which was once a slave market, beyond the White House, also built by slaves, to the Lincoln Memorial, honoring the president who freed the slaves.”
- While being African american is a huge deal on this day throughout the campaign barrack obama did not advertise himself this way. Couldn’t be niche character. Had to just be a person..how we should see him anyways.
- r. Obama’s inauguration might offer the nation a new turn, and from that the congregations draw hope. But race’s complications are many, and as these members are reminded daily, they often find themselves speaking from starkly different wells of understanding. The inaugural suggests a nation that, even in unity, experiences history from separate racial vantage points. ← the problems aren’t going to disappear
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