Abstract:
After the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, there was a strong feeling that the racial problems had been overcome. This idea was cemented when Barack Obama was elected president in 2008. The U.S. was now believed to be a post-racial society. This, however proved a short-sighted ideal. Statistics on unemployment rates, education, and others show that African-Americans have consistently lagged behind their white counterparts into the present day. The shooting of unarmed African-American Michael Brown by a police officer in 2014 brought attention to this racial inequality. Some remain in denial and staunchly hold on to the idea of a post-racial America and use the language of color-blind racism to justify the current inequality. Particularly in the media, one of the biggest arenas where the race debate is taking place, sees the use of a particular language and framing style that maintains the current racial status quo.
