Does the Media Create Expectations for Minorities?

**Ser Clegane** · 07-20-2005, 09:04

Originally Posted by King of Atlantis

They are a minority in the U.S and they were treated with media minority care.

For the papal elections the ethnic setup of the US population is irrelevant - the coverage of black or "non-white" candidates seems rather appropriate in this context.

**King of Atlantis** · 07-20-2005, 09:17

Originally Posted by Ser Clegane

For the papal elections the ethnic setup of the US population is irrelevant - the coverage of black or "non-white" candidates seems rather appropriate in this context.

irrelevant? In america blacks are treated as the favorites. If a black man ran for pres the media would be all over it saying how great that there could be a black president even if he was a complete moron. It was kinda the same thing for the papal election.

**Ronin** · 07-20-2005, 09:21

Originally Posted by King of Atlantis

irrelevant? In america blacks are treated as the favorites. If a black man ran for pres the media would be all over it saying how great that there could be a black president even if he was a complete moron. It was kinda the same thing for the papal election.

so what?....if white morons have been running for president(and winning in some cases) from years now......at least a black one would have a flavour of novelty.

**King of Atlantis** · 07-20-2005, 09:22

Originally Posted by Ronin

so what?....if white morons have been running for president(and winning in some cases) from years now......at least a black one would have a flavour of novelty.

so what? The whole point is race should not even be an issue.

**Al Khalifah** · 07-20-2005, 09:23

Possitive discrimination is wrong. British society (and American society) should be a meritocracy where the rewards go to most able and the most skilled, not to the most marginal or the most rare in order to make up quotas. It's just not fair otherwise.

The PC Police strike again.

**PanzerJaeger** · 07-20-2005, 16:14

For the papal elections the ethnic setup of the US population is irrelevant - the coverage of black or "non-white" candidates seems rather appropriate in this context.

I dont think I made myself clear.

Over here in the US, and from what I read in European press, the media plays favorites with minorities in those countries.

Ratzinger was just as qualified as anyone else, but the black and latino papal candidates got all the attention in our media, and many were visibly disappointed when a white guy came out on that podium.

The ethnic setup of the US is very important to this discussion because its the US, and other western medias that create this enviroment.

**Spetulhu** · 07-20-2005, 16:24

Originally Posted by PanzerJager

Ratzinger was just as qualified as anyone else, but the black and latino papal candidates got all the attention in our media, and many were visibly disappointed when a white guy came out on that podium.

I thought it was his hardcore conservative stance on issues that made people so disappointed to see him chosen. The catholic church is stagnant and the papal electors chose someone who will continue the old ways. No reforms.

**Spino** · 07-20-2005, 20:14

Originally Posted by PanzerJager

The ethnic setup of the US is very important to this discussion because its the US, and other western medias that create this enviroment.

Amen. It's a classic case of life imitating art! The infusion of this mindset into the average North American or European via pop culture and the liberal media is both tragic and shocking because it demonstrates just how feeble minded and impressionable the average person really is. Basically all one need do is continuously repeat the same message until it eventually sinks in.

**Kagemusha** · 07-20-2005, 20:19

I agree with you on this one.It shouldnt matter what we look like or whats our sex.

**Blodrast** · 07-20-2005, 20:47

Originally Posted by Spino

Amen. [...] Basically all one need do is continuously repeat the same message until it eventually sinks in.

Bingo. And I may be considered paranoid, but I've seen and known lots of cases where people got brainwashed by the media... "I've read it in the paper/I've seen it on TV, last night and the night before... they wouldn't lie".
It's sad that people can't understand that they should always take things stuffed in their face with a grain of salt, and try to think for themselves... but I guess it may be difficult to break the habit...

**Taffy_is_a_Taff** · 07-20-2005, 21:38

re the papal election and minorities:

Half the world's Catholics are in the Americas (49.9%); 26.15% in Europe; 12.84% in Africa; 10.3% in Asia; and 0.78% in Oceania.

According to Global Catholic News. Based on 2002 figures.

I believe the figures for the U.S. and Canada are roughly 10% of world Catholics.

so all races are minorities when it comes to share of believers in the Catholic church. The two largest groups are Hispanics and Whites.

However, the Cardinals are majority white so I guess that means the media favouring a black or Hispanic pope is an example of the media favouring minority candidates(as only a cardinal is likely to become pope).