Myth, Race, and the Media: From Pandemic to Protests
A Two-Part Series on Race in America
This discussion series was made possible by a generous gift from Robert and Barbara Whitten, to Baylor’s Department of Religion to establish an endowed lecture series on Faith and Public Life.
Part I: Where Are We Now?
Part II: Where Do We Go From Here?
Events in 2020 have brought into clear focus the deep wounds of racism that exist in American life. As we as individuals and as a nation seek understanding and healing, it is important to examine the ways in which beliefs and attitudes towards race in America are influenced and reenforced by media coverage.
This two-part virtual discussion was focused on the way race is covered in the media and on concrete strategies for racial healing and reconciliation. Panel One discussed current media coverage of race, and how it creates and propagates mythologies that obscure mutual understanding and reconciliation. Panel Two explored how we as a nation, and our media, can move beyond mythologies towards healing that both addresses truly the sin of racism and its remedy.
Part I: Where are We Now?
Tuesday, September 15th, 2:00pm ET
Panel:
Dr. Greg Garrett is Professor of English at Baylor University, Theologian in Residence at the American Cathedral in Paris, and author of over two dozen books, including A Long, Long Way: Hollywood’s Unfinished Journey from Racism to Reconciliation (Oxford University Press). He speaks regularly on faith, culture, and racism.
Mr. Vann Newkirk is a senior editor at The Atlantic, where he has covered health policy, civil rights, voting rights, environmental justice, race and class in American politics, and the evolution of black identity. He is a frequent media guest on race, politics, and culture, and the host of the acclaimed podcast Floodlines, which premiered earlier this year.
Dr. Mia Moody-Ramirez is Professor and Chair of the Journalism, Public Relations & New Media Department at Baylor University. She is frequently a resource for journalists on race and the media, and is the author or co-author of several books, including From Blackface to Black Twitter: Reflections on Black Humor, Race, Politics & Gender.
Moderated by:
Korva Coleman is a newscaster for NPR. In this role, she is responsible for writing, producing, and delivering national newscasts airing during NPR’s newsmagazines All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition. Occasionally she serves as a substitute host for Weekend All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition.
Part II: Where do We Go From here?
Thursday, September 17th, 7:00pm ET
Panel:
Dr. George Yancey is Professor of Sociology at Baylor University and the author or co-author of several books on race, culture, diversity, and bias, including Prejudice in the Press?: Investigating Bias in Coverage of Race, Gender, Sexuality and Religion, and Compromising Scholarship:Religious and Political Bias in American Higher Education.
Mr. Vann Newkirk is a senior editor at The Atlantic, where he has covered health policy, civil rights, voting rights, environmental justice, race and class in American politics, and the evolution of black identity. He is a frequent media guest on race, politics, and culture, and the host of the acclaimed podcast Floodlines, which premiered earlier this year.
Dr. Greg Garrett is Professor of English at Baylor University, Theologian in Residence at the American Cathedral in Paris, and author of over two dozen books, including A Long, Long Way: Hollywood’s Unfinished Journey from Racism to Reconciliation (Oxford University Press). He speaks regularly on faith, culture, and racism.
Moderated by:
Dr. Mia Moody-Ramirez is Professor and Chair of the Journalism, Public Relations & New Media Department at Baylor University. She is frequently a resource for journalists on race and the media, and is the author or co-author of several books, including From Blackface to Black Twitter: Reflections on Black Humor, Race, Politics & Gender.