Diversity and Communication: Final Blog Assignment

After taking JOMC 441 how has this course shaped your view of the role of diversity in the media including: images, employment, access, coverage.

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I would say that after taking JOMC 441, I have thought mostly about the affects that race has on the opportunities minorities have in terms of employment, and the effects that has on societal views of minority groups. I believe this to be the single most important factor we studied this semester because it perpetuates the rest of the issues we discussed.

For example, because diversity is not adequately present in the workplace of most mainstream media sources and resources, the images and coverage of those minority groups also become inadequate. Because of lack of knowledge, experience, or understanding, the inadequacies presented may be detrimental to the perceptions of society. These perceptions persist in the form of stereotypes proliferated by repetitious images in the media.

These images are unlikely to change without confrontation from both minority groups and other members of society. However, in many circumstances, minority groups do not have access to the resources needed to begin these debates, nor the influence needed for cultural lessons be heard.

Diversity and Communication: Blog Assignment 7

On our Campus

Read the following article and share your thoughts. Include the following: location of both statues, positioning of “Unsung Founders Memorial” (as a table), selection of artist.

http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts/story/213404.html

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The Unsung Founders Memorial is located in the Upper Quad on campus, near the Confederate Monument, better known as "Silent Sam," which honors the soldiers who died in the Civil War. The Unsung Founders Memorial was created to honor the African Americans, both enslaved and free, who helped build UNC's campus. The statue has been the center of many many discussions and controversys surrounding the design and location of the monument.

Some of the monuments features under speculation include its size, function, positioning, and color. The monument is one of several monuments found in a single north to south line, including silent sam, the old well, the bell tower, and another white monument (i've temporarily forgotten which it is). Unlike those I have just named, the Unsung memorial is placed off of this line slightly. The monument is also the only black one, and is also lower to the ground and used as a table. Some take offense that the small figures on the monument are still working for the white students even today. Others take offense that the designer of the work was not African American, but Korean.

So, what do I have to say about this memorial? Honestly, I think I am a bit over the discussion. I have discussed this memorial in several classes, with friends, teachers, strangers, all numbers and types of people. So, for me, it is less about what the monument itself is, and more about the discussion it generates. Obviously, the artist did not intentionally mean to offend anyone. And I believe while some people over analyze it, I do also believe some of the issues people have with it are justified. And so, what has the monument done? Do you think students and visitors coming to campus look at the monument and their perceptions on slavery, the significance of it, the injustice of it all changes? That it is suddenly okay and that it is still present in todays society? No. Do you think a monument that "properly" memorialized these strong people- perhaps a full size statue of an individual, in line with the others would make people think of the situation differently? Maybe. But do most people looking at Silent Sam think about those who died in the civil war? No. they giggle about the first unc campus tour they took and the joke about virgins. So, maybe the Unsung Founders Memorial is valuable just as it is, because of the discussion it generates.

Diversity and Communication: Blog Assignment 6

In Job Hunt College Degree Can’t Close Racial Gap

By MICHAEL LUO

Published: November 30, 2009

Johnny R. Williams, 30, would appear to be an unlikely person to have to fret about the impact of race on his job search, with companies like JPMorgan Chase and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago on his résumé.

Click here to read more

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/us/01race.html?_r=1

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I think it is unfortunate that many job seeking African Americans (and other minorities) feel they must hide something that is such a huge part of their identities. What I believe is the most frustrating part of this conversation and debate is that, regardless of intentions, bias does still exist. But then the question for me becomes, how legitimate is the argument for “cultural fit,” as the article puts it? Obviously, similar people are naturally drawn to each other, and thus a corporate culture does evolve. And it could be that this designated corporate culture does allow the business to function as it always has. And in some industries, perhaps that cohesiveness and commonality is highly valued and a large part of the company's success. But could they not also be successful AND diverse?

So then a chicken and the egg scenario presents itself. Are these applicants not selected because they do not "fit" or do they not "fit" because diverse applicants are not selected, thus maintaining the "corporate culture"? When will the time come for the perspective to change to focus on the similarities, rather than focusing on the differences of race, gender, or background? I believe it all boils back down to the fear of change.

Fear of upsetting the traditional corporate culture, even in just a small way, could additionally be magnified in this time of economic recession. In times of stress, the instinct is to preserve oneself, rather than risk losing what is already intact.