WHOSE LIVES MATTER?

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 639-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia D. Simmons

AbstractThis study investigates the characteristics of cases of police killing unarmed Blacks that receive national news coverage. I analyze an original quantitative dataset measuring the parameters of 111 cases occurring between 2013 and 2015, and the amount of coverage they received in six national news outlets. Multivariate models indicate that cases’ national newsworthiness is positively associated with Blacks’ share of the population where the fatal encounter occurred, and the presence of video evidence, peaceful demonstrations, or civil lawsuits. National newsworthiness is negatively associated with encounters that were initiated by a call to police, and those involving decedents who resisted arrest, suffered electroshock injuries, or were impaired by drugs or alcohol. The findings strongly suggest that the most newsworthy cases are those that align with an injustice frame. I discuss the results using theories of newsworthiness, describing how patterns of story availability and story suitability might shape which cases rise to the top of the national agenda. Using the social construction of reality approach, I discuss the implications of the results for how the public understands the empirical nature of police killing unarmed Blacks, and the symbolic meaning of these events.

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-102
Author(s):  
Karman Karman

Baduy Community is very obedient to local rules/custom, e.g. lunang (sundanesse to express obedience to whoever the winner), and ngasuh rati, ngayak menak. Surprisingly, the voter number in Baduy have increased from 2013 to 2014. They have their own mechanism in determining leader, that is by deliberation among customary figures. The social-political changes make-up the result of their construction change toward reality. The issue in this study is how Baduy community (re-)construct general election. This one aims to understand Baduy’s  construction to electoral activities, their understanding to the obligation to participate in election, and the adaptation process of different realities (reality in Baduy and Reality in external). By harnessing the Social Construction of Reality introduced by Berger, and Social Adaptation System introduced by Giddens, this research show Baduy objectifies and participates in general elections as an obedience to the customary rules. Understanding about obligations to participate in election is legitimized by customary institution, regarding dualism of different structure, they must adapt theirselves to different realities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-56
Author(s):  
Aditya Yuli Sulistyawan ◽  
Siti Sarah Nurfaidah

Gender issues are still a topic that is often discussed in society. Gender is related to the social construction of the division of activities between women and men. Along with the development of times there are many assumptions that say that women still accept injustice and are still discriminated against so that many are demanding gender equality for women. In the Qur'an many verses describe justice and equality between women and men in their responsibilities and carrying out their role, but there are still many people who do not understand the contents of the verses in question. The public or broad audience needs to understand gender construction in this Islamic perspective to be able to realize the ideal gender construction in life, especially in the context of Islamic society.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.21) ◽  
pp. 326
Author(s):  
Zikri Fachrul Nurhadi ◽  
Ummu Salamah ◽  
Yully Destari ◽  
Novie Susanti Suseno

The purpose of this study to discover and reveal the social construction of masculine woman identity in terms of externalization, objectivation, and internalization. This study used a qualitative approach, with a method or theory of social reality construction of constructivism paradigm. Data collection was done through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and literature. The study finding showed that the social construction of masculine woman identity in terms of externalization is influenced by internal and external factors. Internal factor is influenced by a family that makes informants show the social construction of masculine woman identity to the public. While external factor is influenced by association with male friend and technological advances (mass media) that have contributed to the formation of character, appearance style, and feeling to others. In general, social identity construction of masculine woman constructs her identity in a way  showed that masculine woman does not always have a negative character. In this case, a masculine woman can survive and adapt to the family, campus and community environments. The research finding showed that appearance changes will only happen if there is a will from the masculine woman herself, and the comfort level of masculine appearance can not change the identity.  


2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 607-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailey L. Mills

Rooted in the theory of Social Construction of Reality and informed by media portrayal of female beauty and virtual community research, this study examined how beauty is socially constructed by gatekeepers in Second Life. A content analysis of 360 still images of female avatars was conducted to understand the extent to the beauty types that appear in the virtual world. Findings suggest trendy and sex kitten/sensual beauty types were the most-portrayed beauty types. Most female avatars had the ideal body size and light colored skin. In addition, this study found a significant difference in beauty type among different types of products.


2021 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Jeanne M. Powers ◽  
Kathryn P. Chapman

Background In the past decade, the laws governing teachers’ employment have been at the center of legal and political conflicts across the United States. Vergara v. California challenged five California state statutes that provide employment protections for teachers. In June 2014, a California lower court declared the statutes unconstitutional because they exposed students to “grossly ineffective teachers.” Purpose The purpose of the article is to document and analyze how Vergara was presented in the print news media. It is important to understand how the print news media presents education policy debates to the public, because the print news media shapes the general public's understanding of education and other public policy debates by providing frames and themes for interpreting the issues in question and people associated with them. Research Design Using the social construction of target populations and political spectacle as conceptual lenses, we conducted a content analysis of print news media articles on the Vergara case published between June 2012 and November 2014. We provide a descriptive overview of the full corpus of articles published during this period and a thematic analysis of the 65 unique news articles published in the aftermath of the decision. The latter focuses on news articles because they are intended to provide more objective coverage of the case than opinions or editorials. Findings In the print news media coverage, the word “teacher” was often paired with a negative qualifier, which suggests that Vergara was an effort to change the relatively advantaged social construction of teachers. Similarly, metaphors and the illusion of rationality associated with political spectacle were used in ways that bolstered the plaintiffs’ claims. While Vergara consumed a substantial amount of philanthropic and public dollars, ultimately it did not change the policies that govern teachers’ employment in California. Vergara may have been more successful in shaping the general public's perceptions of teachers and the conditions of teachers’ employment in the period following the trial.


Author(s):  
Christina Rowley ◽  
Jutta Weldes

This chapter examines the role of identity in constructing U.S. foreign policy. Using a critical social constructivist approach, it argues that particular conceptions of U.S. identity constitute U.S. interests, thus providing the foundations for foreign policy. After providing an overview of the influence of interests on foreign policy, the chapter considers the basic assumptions of critical social constructivism, taking into account the social construction of reality and the concepts of discourse and articulation. It then analyses discourses as sites of power, identity, and representation, along with the importance of identity in U.S. foreign policy. It also looks at U.S. presidents’ articulations of state identity and foreign policy over the last six decades.


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