Journalistic Sensationalism is a plague destroying our country. It is at historically high levels and continuing to rise.
We are seeing it in connection with the upcoming presidential election as both sides seek to paint the opposition in the most negative and least flattering ways by creating false narratives accompanied by doctored photos.
Don’t make the mistake of dismissing this as politics as usual! It is a very serious cancer eating at the heart of our union.
Sensationalism sells, but only if we fail to put a stop to it.
In June 1, 1921, the Tulsa Tribune, known at the time to make a profit with sensationalism, headlined “Nab Negro for Attacking Girl In an Elevator!” Somewhere between 100 and 300 people died in the ensuing riots, over 800 people were injured, and many successful African American businesses and homes were destroyed. A wound was inflicted on American race relations that has left a scar and never healed.
The problem: The story was untrue. The white girl said as much and refused to press charges. Prominent people in Tulsa said the black boy was not that kind of kid.
The good news is that some of us have progressed since 1921. The bad news is that some of us haven’t.
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