​In the 1960’s, reporting racism was very different from today. A civil rights worker looking to create awareness in the US would use their telephone to dial a wide-area telephone service number. The call would be dispatched directly to the organization paying for the line where, on their end, a civil rights workers duty was to keep record of the news. They would mail it out to the media, justice departments, lawyers, allies and repeat this process for ALL urgent news.

However, media can manipulate viewers on what is true by producing deceptive messages in films, Television, news and popular social media platforms. As media continues to portray Black people with false images of them, it perpetuates stereotypes and racism against the Black communities. ​

Isis Dallis, writer and President of Bukwild, says in an open letter to the media industry:
“As image-makers and storytellers, we contribute to the images, messages, and perceptions that circulate within our society and culture. They have the power to make people feel fearful of others, or the power to make them feel safe.”People act and treat Black people differently because of the way the media negatively represents them. Through those perceived notions, they experience covert racism such as someone clutching their purse when passing by them or not hiring them because they don’t look a certain way. ​

Besides entertainment, news is another form of media regulating the negative narrative surrounding Black representation. The racialization of news on the coverage of the anti-Black racism protests has had a negative consequence on the social movements on this issue in the past, as well as on Black communities. News coverage of the protest mostly includes images of riots highlighting danger, destruction, disorder and other criminal acts. Jason Johnson – Politics & Journalism Professor at the Morgan State University says: “Much of the damage attributed to protestors is often the result of police action or inaction in the face of lawful public behaviour.”

News media delivering incomplete stories of these protests means viewers would gain inadequate information, thus sustaining the negative narratives of Black individuals constructed in other media outlets such as film and TV. The news emphasizes the disruption of the protest, as it echoes politicians who label protestors as thugs. It overshadows the social issues protested and instead publicizes and maintains the image of criminality and violence within the Black communities. ​

Let us know your opinion on media’s consistent misrepresentation of Black people by clicking here. ​

​Generations of Black-Canadians have been systemically oppressed in the Ontario education system. It was not until 2020 the city council and the provincial government decided to take a good look into the racism that takes place in schools, and the role adults play in coercing Black children out of the chance to pursue higher education. 

​Continuing with everyday life, while taking new precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic is our ‘new normal’. Social distancing, facemasks and working from home are all terms we need to grow accustomed to and while the daily cases have decreased and protocols eased, it’s not over yet.

COVID-19 is able to be passed on through an infected persons cough, sneeze, or from their breath. By touching your eyes, nose or mouth, it gives the virus leeway into the mucous membranes of your throat, and in the span of 14 days you may start to feel flu like symptoms such as a dry cough sore throat, or a fever. Because of this it’s been advised to wear personal protective equipment such as disposable masks and gloves.