Reference no: EM132305808 , Length: word count:800

Assignment -

Prompt - This assignment requires you to examine how specific identities are constructed within news and media coverage and what impact this has on the consumers of these images.

Prompt: Communicating Identities

Purpose of Assignment: After the tragic deaths of Michael Brown, Walter Scott, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, national and international media attention sparked modern day critical conversations about race relations and conflicts. As you receive the images during these particular media coverages, it's incredibly important to be critical consumers of the information that is presented through various news and media outlets. This writing assignment is designed to encourage you to think critically about how racial identity is constructed and represented within United States media coverage.

Directions: The photos released of Michael Brown in the days after his death were not only disturbing and solemn yet played a major role in how Michael Brown will forever be remembered. Walter Scott's tragic last moments were caught on tape, shared to billions of people worldwide under headlines that will undoubtedly influence the ways Walter Scott is remembered as well. This assignment requires you to examine how specific identities are constructed within news and media coverage and what impact this has on the consumers of these images. Below are the three steps in which you must complete to meet the requirements of the assignment.

Step One: Research -

Select a recent (2014 - 2019) suspected police brutality case that has been covered in the media and analyze the significance of the articles, images, videos presented.

Step Two: Analysis -

Provide an in depth analysis of how identities are constructed (even in death) based on media portrayals and consider the following questions in your response: what types of images of the deceased are being shown? What types of images of the suspect are being shown? How do the images compare? How are the families of both suspect and deceased being framed? Who are some of the friends and family the news reporters interviewed? In what ways are the victims' lives being remembered?

Step Three: Self-Reflection -

After investigating the ways in which the media has represented particular identities in the past, provide a brief thoughtful reflection of the ways in which you see your identity being remembered based on media coverage.

What picture of you would the media post after your untimely death? Would it be your senior portrait or a candid shot with a red cup in your hand? How does this portrayal affect your legacy? Be detailed and self-reflexive.