Race in the media is confronted
The Insitute for the Advancement of Journalism, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, the Canadian High Commission, iTouch Foundation, Reporting Race, conference, race in the media, media
A number of institutions have come together to open a discussion on reporting racial issues in the media.
The Insitute for the Advancement of Journalism, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, the Canadian High Commission and the iTouch Foundation have partnered to create a two-day conference that opens discussion around race, how it is seen in the media, the perspectives of each source and how it his conveyed to the audience.
The event’s master of ceremonies, Firdoze Bulbulia of iTouch, recapped on the activities during the two days of the conference which featured a number of talks from various influential people including renowned singer, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and former president, Kgalema Motlante.
She explained that while there have been moments of empowerment for people of all races who have attended the conference, she has also seen the release of pent-up feelings of anger from many. Despite the platform being of an academic nature, it was important to allow for a place of healing while tackling this sensitive topic.
“[Musician] Sibongile Khumalo started the healing circle recently and, from what I understand, we’re all concerned with what is going on in our country and we need to delanguage [break down the words and use of language that perpetuates racial reporting, rather than objective reporting] racism and explore the words we use and how we talk about it to promote healing,” Bulbulia explained.
A topic raised in discussion was the recent hair saga that took place at Pretoria Girls High School where girls of colour fought for their right to embrace their natural hair. It raised the question of why it is that each generation starting from the grandmothers in each family, have been faced with this issue and why it continues to be an issue.
“We were challenged to find out why so many decades later, we’re still having these problems and discourses. The narrative and the way people embrace [their own race] or do not is something we still need to talk about.”
Also at the conference were members of the African Culture Centre, which works with underpriveleged children to put them on a path that will benefit their future through arts and culture.
They challenged attendees at the event to express who they were as individuals, rather than as a person of a certain gender or race.
If media changes their views on race and the way it’s presented, then maybe the world will too.
Read: Social media – A potential gateway to unemployment
Add us on Whatsapp for the latest news by adding 079 4395 345 to your contact list and just send your name to us so we can save your number. Click here to find out more about our Whatsapp policy.
