On the Erasure of race in control culture discourse: a case study of Trayvon Martin’s role in the Black Lives Matter movement

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze an emergent cultural clash between: (a) how media outlets and other control culture institutions have portrayed events related to Black Lives Matter, and (b) the complex reality of Black Lives Matter movements as they have developed through embodied, intersectional, and always socially situated forms of direct collective action. In focusing specifically on American mainstream media coverage of the killing of Trayvon Martin, we argue that, given the history of white supremacy in America, such journalistic accounts generally fail to provide an adequate socio-historical context for emergent social movements in the vein of Black Lives Matter. In framing such movements, at worst, as anti-American terrorist organizations, though more regularly as social constellations of misplaced anger, American control culture institutions have consistently reinforced a certain set of logical contradictions found across broader discussions about race throughout the history of America. Finally, drawing on the theory of play proposed by Gregory Bateson, we outline how a form of subverting mainstream journalistic framing techniques is enacted and embodied creativity through the communally oriented tactics successfully deployed by social movements like Black Lives Matter.

The Framing of Race: Trayvon Martin and the Black Lives Matter Movement

“…Curiously, Bell (2015) stated that given the demographics of the area (20% African American, 23% Hispanic, 49% Caucasian, and 5% Asian) he looked like he fit in, yet not to Zimmerman. Fabregat and Beck (2019) found that the media's portrayal of Trayvon Martin as "guilty," maintains the social hierarchy and perceptions of race as "a problem" (Madison, 2015). The incident has been described by some as the catalyst for the BLM movement and certain sub-movements under the BLM movement (Smith, 2015).…”

Progressive or problematic? A comparative analysis of media depictions of demands to defund the police

“…When journalists act as “agents of racialization” (Drew, 2011, p. 355) – unconsciously or otherwise – this may redefine a movement in a manner that diminishes its credibility and ultimately public support, and thwarts legitimate efforts to reform the police. On this account, we implore media houses to recognize the need to confront racism and stereotyping among journalists and editors, who are implanted in a racially structured society (Fabrecat and Beck, 2019; Feagin and Ducey, 2019; Oliver, 2017a, b; Reskin, 2012). Journalists should be trained to identify their own implicit biases and understand that threat-related themes can, and do, perpetuate racism in news reporting.…”

“…Our examination seeks to clarify whether the media defines the sociolegal principles of the movement as explained by movement leaders, or if media accounts use a lens that may blur the movement's purpose. The power that mass media has in framing, characterizing, and legitimizing social phenomena is “relevant and highly influential since it can shift attitudes and change ideas in relation to their audiences” (Fabregat and Beck, 2019, p. 762). This study aims to develop a clearer understanding of the nature of media representation, and uses news outlets in America and the UK to enable a comparative exploration of perspectives.…”

In Pursuit of Racial Equality: Identifying the Determinants of Support for the Black Lives Matter Movement with a Systematic Review and Multiple Meta-Analyses

“…As BLM gained space in the media, it became imperative to investigate the role of news media in determining individuals’ attitudes towards the movement. Portrayals of BLM were found to be often racialized, with numerous news outlets expressing explicit disapproval of protests, failing to contextualize the movement within the historical struggles of Black people, attributing blame for acts of violence to Black protesters, and framing peaceful protests derogatorily as riots (Fabregat and Beck 2019; Leopold and Bell 2017; Lane et al 2020). Research also revealed how media contextual and visual frames can affect individuals’ perceptions of protests.…”