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Too many journalists fail to uphold ethical conduct when reporting on racial minorities. COVID-19 has been no exception
By May, 6,000 Victorians had already been fined for breaking restrictions, $8 million worth
Why are 2 women of colour being labelled "enemies of the state"?
By May, 6,000 Victorians had already been fined for breaking restrictions, $8 million worth
Why are 2 women of colour being labelled "enemies of the state"?
On 10 May, when media reported on the infamous "KFC run," 16 people were fined for buying take-away for a party ($26,000 in total), but their race was not reported. In fact, 60 people were fined that day. Race wasn't mentioned. No photos on the front page https://www.sbs.com.au/news/victoria-police-issue-26-000-of-covid-19-fines-after-partygoers-make-early-morning-kfc-dash
Today: "A man keen on a coffee from a convenience store more than 30km away has been fined $1652." Jovial!
He is one of 88 people fined in the past 24 hours, who remain "race-less." Their names aren't published. They're not called "enemies of the state" https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/man-on-30km-coffee-run-among-those-fined-for-breaching-victorias-coronavirus-rules-c-1204779
He is one of 88 people fined in the past 24 hours, who remain "race-less." Their names aren't published. They're not called "enemies of the state" https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/man-on-30km-coffee-run-among-those-fined-for-breaching-victorias-coronavirus-rules-c-1204779
Race is not a feature in reporting where people are White. That's a function of race. Whiteness is the taken-for-granted norm. White people's race is inconsequential to their action. Race is not worth mentioning, even when they carry out acts of violence
Not so for everyone else
Not so for everyone else
Eve Black, a White woman, posted a video of herself crossing the border and evading police, who allowed her to pass without complying with their orders. She tried it again and is only now facing multiple charges
White people aren't demonised in response https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-eve-black-arrest-victoria-border-checkpoint-video-melbourne-outbreak-covid19/1c569e41-477b-47c9-9155-8bad545fc333
White people aren't demonised in response https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-eve-black-arrest-victoria-border-checkpoint-video-melbourne-outbreak-covid19/1c569e41-477b-47c9-9155-8bad545fc333
3 women of colour allegedly lied on their border declaration & tested positive for COVID-19. What they did was not right. But police action was far swifter: they are in quarantine, facing up to 5 years jail & $13,345 fines. Their photos & names published https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/30/queensland-covid-19-testing-blitz-results-best-we-could-have-hoped-for-as-three-new-cases-recorded
Eve Black got to go home after her first stunt, police knowing full well where she lived. She was so comfortable with her safety that she tried it again.
Race is a relationship of power: White people never have to fear their movements, even when film themselves breaking the law
Race is a relationship of power: White people never have to fear their movements, even when film themselves breaking the law
All day, journalists, including 9 News, speculated that the women were criminals. Turns out they were at a party
One of the women is a cleaner, the other a childcare worker. But no reverence for these "essential workers." Their race lands them on the front page to be vilified
One of the women is a cleaner, the other a childcare worker. But no reverence for these "essential workers." Their race lands them on the front page to be vilified
2 of the women are teenagers & the other is 22. If they were White, their age would see them treated with greater kindness
Instead, as young Black women, their age lends them no leeway, the way young White women are given innocence, waved through the border by a flustered cop
Instead, as young Black women, their age lends them no leeway, the way young White women are given innocence, waved through the border by a flustered cop
Media have strategically published maps of the places the women visited along with their photos, putting focus on their African heritage
They are 3 of thousands who've been caught not following restrictions. But we don't see other faces, because many are White. And nor should we
They are 3 of thousands who've been caught not following restrictions. But we don't see other faces, because many are White. And nor should we
White mainstream media didn't care about race when majority White affluent people spread the infection
They didn't care about racial injustice when multicultural communities were restricted & detained
This virus is bad enough, but they still want faces of colour to blame
They didn't care about racial injustice when multicultural communities were restricted & detained
This virus is bad enough, but they still want faces of colour to blame
