The Black Lives Matter movement

1. What is a recent event that "just happened" but became culturally meaningful? Why did this event become meaningful while many other things that "just happened" did not? Be very specific and detailed. 2. How is the Black Lives Matter movement framed? Be specific and discuss at least two ways it is framed. (This may require you to do some research on BLM!) 3. Look over the editorial section of the Houston Chronicle (https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/Links to an external site.) and use it to identify a social problem currently capturing public attention. Describe how this social problem came to be identified and how it is being constructed in the editorial you selected. What are some other ways it could have been constructed? Do you think the way it is being constructed in the editorial is catching on/will catch on? Why or why not? Consider and utilize the course material on which problems/constructions of problems/movements tend to gain traction and why.

Sample Solution

         
  1. Recent Culturally Meaningful Event:

Event: The Slap at the 2022 Oscars. Actor Will Smith walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head.

Meaning: This event became culturally meaningful for several reasons:

  • Intersection of Race and Gender: The incident touched on sensitive topics like race (Smith is Black, Rock is white) and the societal pressures women face regarding their appearance (Jada Pinkett Smith has alopecia, an autoimmune disorder causing hair loss).
  • Public Platform: Occurring at the Oscars, a globally televised event, it sparked discussions about appropriate behavior, toxic masculinity, and setting boundaries.
  • Social Media Amplification: The event was widely shared and debated on social media, creating a continuous news cycle and forcing celebrities and the public to take sides.

This stands out compared to other "just happened" events because it wasn't just a celebrity incident, but a flashpoint for larger cultural conversations already brewing.

  1. Framing the Black Lives Matter Movement:

Two Ways BLM is Framed:

  • Racial Justice Movement: This framing emphasizes ending police brutality against Black people and systemic racism in the criminal justice system. It seeks reforms like better training for police and holding officers accountable for misconduct.
  • Anti-Police Movement: This framing, often used by critics, portrays BLM as wanting to abolish all police forces. It paints the movement as disruptive and ignores its specific demands for police accountability.

Full Answer Section

         

Here, the focus is on how the movement's message is interpreted and presented, shaping public perception.

  1. Social Problem in Houston Chronicle Editorials:

By visiting the Houston Chronicle's editorial section, you can identify a current social issue. Let's use a hypothetical example:

Problem: A recent editorial might address the rising cost of housing in Houston.

Construction: The editorial could frame the problem as:

  • Market Forces: This framing blames natural economic forces for the rise in housing costs, suggesting limited government intervention.
  • Corporate Greed: This framing argues that developers and landlords are exploiting the situation for profit, advocating for regulations and rent control.

Alternative Constructions: The problem could also be framed as:

  • Lack of Affordable Housing Initiatives: Focusing on the need for government programs to subsidize construction or provide rental assistance.
  • Wage Stagnation: Highlighting how low wages make keeping up with rising housing costs difficult.

Catching On: The framing that resonates most depends on the audience and context. The "Market Forces" framing might appeal to business interests, while the "Corporate Greed" framing might connect with struggling residents. Understanding which problems/constructions gain traction requires considering:

* **Public Opinion:** Do people blame the market or corporations?
* **Media Attention:**  What narratives are prominent in local news?
* **Political Landscape:** Which politicians support different solutions?

By analyzing these factors, you can predict which framing will likely have the most impact.

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