Photo: Nicholas Small
Journalism is meant to serve a simple purpose: to distribute events, facts, and news to inform society. American journalism has countlessly failed to remain true to journalistic ethics and fine principles throughout decades, more so beginning at the boom of the internet in the 21st century. Since the beginning of the Iraq War in 2003, American media has adapted new ways of covering war, telling a story, and explaining events. For the most part relatively, in the conversation of war and global conflicts through American media, the set of ideas that are consistently being displayed revolve around the “good versus evil” narrative; which is history is being lost and misplaced.
Photo: Nicholas Small
Recently what has been taking over news media outlets has been the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. While America’s full attention is being accelerated because of the conflict- this tension between Ukraine and Russia has been going on for years, not just for the last few months that it has been broadcasted. Due to the way headlines are being displayed and articles are being written specifically in American networks, there are many historical factors and explanations that are being excluded from the story. Because of the lack of global history being taught in most public schools in the United States, this gives almost every American a blurry view on global issues being covered and discussed- at least without further research from the individual American. Do you see how this might complicate a nation’s single view on a huge historical event?
Photo: Nicholas Small
Photo: Nicholas Small
While the loss and destruction of Ukrainian lives are devastating and this conflict is scary- there has been a wide amount of racism being displayed through the media in correspondence to this crisis. For instance, in a recent interview on the BBC, a former deputy prosecutor general of Ukraine said, “It’s very emotional for me because I see European people with blue eyes and blond hair … being killed every day.” Not only are these comments racist, but there have also been several reports of instances where Black Ukrainians are refused access to cross borders in favor of white Ukrainians, as well as being pushed off trains and being trapped in shelters. Though this is disturbing, this isn’t new for Ukraine. The racism that exists in the country has a long history.
Photo: Nicholas Small
Photo: Nicholas Small
Photo: Nicholas Small
Photo: Nicholas Small
Photo: Nicholas Small
Photo: Nicholas Small
Photo: Nicholas Small
The way this conflict is being broadcasted through Europe and Northern America indicates that when white Europeans are being attacked, it’s much worse compared to when it’s any other non-white group of people: Syrian, Hondurans, Afghans, Palestinians, Libyans, Nigerians, Iraqis and Iranians, (the list goes on). This perpetrates not only racism on the front lines going on in Ukraine, but the global crisis of media catering to white tragedies.
While the media is horrified and disgusted by Russia’s attack on Ukraine, this is something we’ve seen before- numerous times.
This should give awakening to readers to watch to they’re reading and consider these things in their act of support towards Ukraine. This should be a reminder to research and learn, and to reflect on these events; to keep the same energy when African, South American, and Middle-Eastern/Asian countries need the same support.
Photo: Nicholas Small
