How Media Fuels Suspicion, Injustice, and Hate
If we could truly speak to one another without the preconceived biases that are fueled by the media, I think we would see that the vast majority of people desire justice, peace, and equality.
As I’ve watched the news and observed interactions on social media over the past week or so, I’m more convinced than ever that many media networks are not really after the truth and are not seeking the public good. Media companies exist primarily to make a profit, and I think many people increasingly understand that stoking fear and conflict “sells.” In relation to the ongoing protests about the clearly wrongful killing of George Floyd, I have seen reports and videos pitting protestors against law enforcement time and time again. Indeed, from watching the news and reading many articles, you would think that nearly every single law enforcement officer and every single protestor absolutely hated each other. And with every additional video of protestors yelling at or assaulting police and police using force (excessive or not), more fuel is added to the fire of division and hatred.
But when I look at the social media posts of my friends who work in law enforcement and my friends who are actively protesting, and when I talk with friends both inside and outside law enforcement, EVERY SINGLE PERSON agrees that the killing of George Floyd was wrong, and EVERY SINGLE PERSON desires to work for justice and peace and healing. Yes, there are disagreements and even misunderstandings about the best steps that should be taken to bring about healing and justice, but by and large I truly believe that the protestors and law enforcement are on the same side. There are certainly some at protests who have sought to inflame tensions and who have assaulted and brought harm to officers and other protestors; moreover, there are certainly officers who have acted unjustly (e.g., what happened to George Floyd). But from what I see from the scores of officers I know personally and the hundreds of non-law enforcement friends I have, we all desire the same thing. We are on the same side. But the media inflames the tension, stokes fear and anger, and ultimately sows division among people who truly desire justice, peace, and unity.
In my opinion, the clip below from the Hunger Games powerfully captures what has been happening over the past week (and what has honestly been happening for years), where the media and at least some elected officials perpetuate division and animosity to achieve their own ends.
Disclaimer: In the video above, even though I believe we could substitute the media or some elected officials for “Snow” or “the Capital,” I want to be extremely clear that I am not calling for any sort of violence toward the media or anyone else (it’s sad I feel like I have to make this disclaimer). Rather, I simply mean we should turn our attention to the fact that the media and others seek to give us a “fight” and that we should instead choose to act together to “lay down our arms” against one another. If we could truly speak to one another without the preconceived biases that are fueled by the media, I think we would see that the vast majority of people desire justice, peace, and equality.