I started this Sunday as I do most. Rise early enough to enjoy my favorite political talk shows and then the tail end of CBS Sunday Morning. After breakfast and coffee, I often spend the day relaxing in preparation for the long week ahead along with a few errands. Today, one of those errands took me to Trader Joe’s in Tempe where I suddenly had my relaxed day turned into one of near rage. Just outside of the TJ’s entrance sits a pair of vending boxes for the two local papers. Now, I am not a fan of the journalism of either of our local Phoenix dailies. Today, though, one of them clearly decided to represent one narrow view and position. The East Valley Tribune’s editorial board has fallen clearly on the side of racism and classism with their headline announcing the confirmation of the identity of the Chandler Rapist.
While the Arizona Republic chose a headline of relevant fact, the Tribune decided on divisiveness and hate when it proclaimed the identity based on documented status: “DNA links illegal immigrant to attacks.” This is clearly a decision by the editors to focus on the undocumented status of the accused. While they may feel warranted to include all the known facts of the case in the story, their decision to lead in 1.5 inch block headlines with the accused status cannot be based merely on their desire to inform the public. At best, this is an ill advised example of sensationalism with a conscious awareness of its consequences to the public, at worst, they are expressing the institutional racist position of the East Valley Tribune. Newspapers and journalist have a responsibility to inform. With that responsibility comes another equal one to do so within a manner that does the least harm to the community. You say what needs to be said. Inform with the pertinent and relevant information. The accused’ visa status is factual, and possibly relevant to the public’s understanding of the case. However, the manner in which it is presented to the public bears more on the opinion of the editors than its factual relevance to the case. One need only look to the headline as presented in the Arizona Republic to see a responsible presentation of the information. In the attached photograph(see below), the stark contrast between the newspaper headlines is obvious if not nauseating. What can we do? We simply cannot do too little. We must take a stand:
1. Write a letter to the Tribune. Demand a public apology and more responsible editorial decisions. Write the publisher, the executive editor and the advertising department.
2. Make a list of advertisers you see in the Tribune. Pick national and local, corporate and small business proprietors. Contact the national/corporate accounts and let them know how you feel. Be sure to use the word boycott in your communications. Contact the small/local businesses and let them know how you feel. Let them know their business may be subject to a boycott if the Tribune continues with its editorial policy of racism.
3. Stop buying/subscribing to the Tribune (let them know why)
4. Write to the Republic and let them know you prefer their editorial approach in this one particular example of the headline(Note: read the entire Republic article to be sure you are comfortable with how they present the case itself).
5. Pass this blog post onto others.
We need to find a solution for what is becoming a very divisive issue in our community. All parties involved have legitimate political and economic concerns on this matter. To have all of the voices heard, we need to establish an environment wherein we can communicate and receive information free from the divisive angle taken by the Tribune. They have a responsibility as the local newspaper to help guide us through this with level headed and factual information. Opinions in the form of racist headlines will not help us reach a place of reconciliation and solution. Make your voice heard. Speak out on this matter. Take a stand. The East Valley Tribune has a responsibility to inform the community in a time of crisis. This is that time of crisis. Regardless of race, religion, gender, age or status of citizenship, we are all part of the community served by the Tribune. The Tribune is not in a position to decide who belongs in this community, let alone how we should be presented to our neighbors. This is not in defense of the accused individual. This is in defense of all of us. From the moment this headline hit the street, every person, especially males, who even remotely ”appear” to be hispanic were damaged by the implication. This will only serve to drive a valuable part of our community further from the political process in which their participation is as necessary as everyone else’s if we are to find a solution. It is important that the Tribune be made to understand its power and responsibility. Racism and prejudice are different. Prejudice is expressed by individuals in their personal opinions and choices. It can be harmful or benign. Racism is only available to those wielding power and is therefore always harmful. It can be in the hands of an individual, or in this case, in the institutions of the society itself. Demand that racism be removed from our most important institution. If the press turns against us, so will liberty.
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