Perspectives on Critical Media Literacy for Youth Development

• In Event: Roundtable Session 28
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Perspectives on Culture, Race, and Academia

Abstract

Media coverage of racial animosity towards Black communities can be assigned to one of two ideological categories. Some media ascribes injustice toward Black communities to systemic racism, seemingly, to contribute to a more democratic society. Conversely, other media messages delegitimize accusations of racialized violence by criminalizing Black life through negative stereotypes. Youth media consumers are especially vulnerable to these limited and polarizing narratives because media is such an influential socializing mechanism. In this current milieu, the authors believe critical media literacy may function to neutralize delimiting media narratives, especially for school-aged children. This session reviews critical media literacy frameworks, highlighting their applicability to positive youth development in hostile media environments. Implications for practice and future research imperatives will be discussed.

Authors

• Magaela C. Bethune, Vanderbilt University - Peabody College

• Ahmad Rashad Washingtonn, University of Louisville