Racism, Sexism, and the Media

As our society becomes increasingly diverse, racial, ethnic, and gender inclusiveness and equality have taken on new life in the United States. The Fourth Edition of Racism, Sexism, and the Media examines how different race, ethnic, and gender groups fit into the fabric of America; how the media influence and shape everyone′s perception of how they fit; and how the media and advertisers are continuously adapting their communications to effectively reach these groups. The authors explore how the rise of class/group-focused communication, resulting from the convergence of new media technologies and continued demographic segmentation of audiences, has led media outlets and advertisers to see women and people of color as influential key audiences and target markets, as well as a source of stereotypes, which may lead to media insensitivity and may help perpetuate social inequity.

The Fourth Edition includes updated content on topics covered in the previous editions, such as film, television, radio, print media, advertising, and public relations. It also incorporates new material on: women of color, including an integrated assessment of their media experiences; new material on Muslim, Arab, and Asian groups; new technologies; and social media use and their impact. Presented in a logical, easy-to-follow format, this text offers readers an enhanced and expanded understanding of how women and minorities in the United States shape and are shaped by today′s media environment.

Clint C. Wilson II, EdD is professor of Journalism at the Howard University School of Communications and graduate professor in its Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. A recipient of the Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism from the University of Missouri, Wilson has published scholarly work on the relationship between people of color and mainstream general circulation media in Journalism Educator, Columbia Journalism Review, Quill, and Change. His professional journalism career includes work for various news media organizations, including the Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, St. Petersburg Times, USA Today.com and the Los Angeles Sentinel. Félix F. Gutiérrez, PhD, is professor of Journalism and Communication in the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and professor of American Studies and Ethnicity in the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern California. A former senior vice president of the Newseum and Freedom Forum, his publication credits include five books and more than 50 articles or book chapters on diversity and the media. He received the 2011 Lionel C. Barrow Jr. Award for Distinguished Achievement in Diversity Research and Education of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists named him the "Padrino (Godfather) of Hispanic Journalists" in 1995 and inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2002. Lena M. Chao is Associate Professor of Communication Studies at California State University, Los Angeles where she also serves as Director for the Asian and Asian American Institute. Prior to joining the faculty at CSULA, she was on the administrative staff of the Media Institute for Minorities at the University of Southern California and worked as a Public Service Coordinator at KFWB News radio in Los Angeles. She also has worked at Radio Espanol and served as Media Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. Her areas of scholarly specialization include public relations, mass communication, and intercultural and interpersonal communications. Her academic work has been published in Human Communication, California Politics and Policy, and Feedback among others. She was on the founding board of the Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA), a watchdog group that monitors communications media in the United States for fair, balanced and accurate portrayals of Asian Pacific Americans. Her public service activities also includes membership on the advisory boards of two non-profit organizations, The Coalition of Brothers and Sisters Unlimited, and the Estelle Van Meter Multipurpose Center, both located in South Central Los Angeles. She is Faculty Director for Service Learning at Cal State L.A., promoting curriculum development and faculty and student involvement in community service learning opportunities. Ms. Chao received her B.A. in English Literature from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her M.S. in Print Journalism and Ph.D. in Communication Arts and Sciences from the University of Southern California.