Democracy and the Media

Democracy: 1. Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives. 2. A political or social unit based upon this kind of rule. 3. A social condition of equality and respect for the individual with the community. Media: 1. Plural of medium.... 2. An intervening substance through which something is transmitted or carried on.... 4. A means of mass communication, such as newspapers, magazines, or television. Image: 1. A reproduction of the appearance of someone or something.... 3. One that closely resembles another. 4a. The concept of someone or something that is held by the public. 4b. The character projected by someone or something to the public.

--The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

The dictionary definitions above are included to allow us some common base of understanding. Words mean so many different things to each of us. Today "democracy" and "media" are rarely used in the same sentence. Yet here we have an entire issue of Peace & Freedom devoted to these words. How does one writing for the Uniting for Racial Justice campaign begin to address the lack of democracy in the media? Fyna Dowe's poem opens the topic for discussion.

People of color in the United States have always had and continue to have the media and entertainment industries to thank in part for the images...