Race, Media, and the Politics of Antipoverty Policy: A Critical Examination

This book examines the ways in which race and media shape the politics of antipoverty policy in the United States. It draws on a range of theoretical perspectives to analyze how media representations of poverty and race influence public opinion, policy debates, and the implementation of antipoverty programs. The book also examines the role of race and media in shaping the experiences of people living in poverty.

Race and Media Representations of Poverty

The media play a powerful role in shaping public perceptions of poverty. Media representations of poverty often rely on stereotypes and tropes that reinforce negative views of poor people. These representations can contribute to the stigmatization of poverty and make it more difficult for people living in poverty to access the resources they need.

Why Americans Hate Welfare: Race, Media, and the Politics of Antipoverty Policy (Studies in Communication, Media, and Public Opinion)

by Martin Gilens

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6183 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	303 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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For example, media representations of poverty often focus on the individual characteristics of poor people, such as their lack of motivation or their poor decision-making skills. These representations ignore the structural factors that contribute to poverty, such as racism, discrimination, and lack of opportunity. As a result, they can lead people to believe that poverty is a personal failing rather than a societal problem.

Race and Media Influence on Policy Debates

Media representations of poverty also influence policy debates about antipoverty programs. By framing poverty as a problem of individual responsibility, the media can make it more difficult to build support for policies that address the structural causes of poverty. For example, media coverage of welfare reform in the 1990s often focused on the negative consequences of welfare for individual families. This coverage helped to create a public backlash against welfare and made it easier for policymakers to pass legislation that made it more difficult for people to access welfare benefits.

Race and Media Impact on Program Implementation

Media representations of poverty can also affect the implementation of antipoverty programs. For example, media coverage of homelessness often focuses on the visible signs of homelessness, such as people living on the streets or in shelters. This coverage can lead to public pressure for policies that focus on moving homeless people out of sight rather than addressing the underlying causes of homelessness.

The Role of Race and Media in Shaping Lived Experiences

In addition to shaping public opinion and policy debates, race and media also play a role in shaping the experiences of people living in poverty. Media representations of poverty can affect how people living in poverty see themselves and their own experiences. They can also affect how people living in poverty are treated by others.

For example, media representations of poverty often portray people living in poverty as lazy, irresponsible, or dangerous. This can lead to discrimination against people living in poverty in employment, housing, and other areas of life. It can also make it more difficult for people living in poverty to access the resources they need to improve their lives.

This book provides a critical examination of the ways in which race and media shape the politics of antipoverty policy in the United States. It draws on a range of theoretical perspectives to analyze how media representations of poverty and race influence public opinion, policy debates, and the implementation of antipoverty programs. The book also examines the role of race and media in shaping the experiences of people living in poverty.

This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the politics of antipoverty policy, the role of media in society, or the experiences of people living in poverty.

Why Americans Hate Welfare: Race, Media, and the Politics of Antipoverty Policy (Studies in Communication, Media, and Public Opinion)

by Martin Gilens

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6183 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	303 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE