The Center on Community Philanthropy and Visiting Philanthropy Faculty Scholar, Dr. Travis L. Dixon, have been hosting a series of conversations on “Race in the Media” in Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Helena-West Helena. The series will conclude with a 12:00 p.m. Public Program at the Clinton School on December 12th.
Dr. Dixon, a professor of Communications Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, has drawn from his research on the portrayal of minorities in the media to engage Arkansans with the purpose of generating dialogue and actionable ideas for meaningful change.
The first in the series of “Race in the Media” conversations was held at the Clinton School in October as a student session. Dr. Dixon’s presentation focused on “Understanding the Effects of Stereotypical Content on Social Policy.” Over the course of the discussion, he explained to the students that “stereotypes are the foundation of racism—if we can deal with them effectively, we can deal with racism.”
Subsequent conversations on “Race in the Media: Understanding the Issues and Discussing Opportunities for Action” were recently held in Pine Bluff and in Helena-West Helena.
The discussion in Pine Bluff, a follow up to the community conversation on structural racism that the Center hosted in 2011, convened nearly 50 people. “It’s a very timely issue,” explained Vivian Flowers, a resident of Pine Bluff who participated in the session. “I hope the discussion fuels partnerships between the Clinton School and the community of Pine Bluff, and that this type of advocacy drives positive action.”
The program in Helena was the first of its kind organized by the Center on Community Philanthropy, and attracted participants from surrounding areas. “This is exactly the kind of thing our communities need,” said Doris Miller, a Mississippi resident who drove to Arkansas for the session. “These types of conversations are so important, and we never have this kind of access to scholars like Dr. Dixon,” she added.
“The Center is proud to offer these opportunities to our community partners in the Delta,” said Dr. Charlotte L. Williams, Associate Professor and Director of the Clinton School Center on Community Philanthropy. “Using scholarship and research to address issues of race and equity is an integral part of the work of the Center, and it is necessary for creating positive change in the region.”
The series of discussions will culminate with Dr. Dixon’s Public Program titled, “Media Stereotypes and their Role in Racial Healing and Equity: Community Philanthropy and News’ Portrayals.” The session will highlight information from the “Race in the Media” conversations and summarize his research as a Visiting Philanthropy Faculty Scholar. This work is a part of the Center on Community Philanthropy’s broader initiative titled “Pathways to Racial Healing and Equity in the American South,” which aims to convene and engage individuals around the idea of community philanthropy and issues of equity.
Dr. Dixon’s Public Program at the Clinton School is free and open to the public. Please reserve your seat by emailing publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu or calling (501) 683-5239.