Is Hate Speech in the Media Directly Affecting Our Culture?

11/23/10

Andrews

Issue 12

Is Hate Speech in the Media Directly Affecting Our Culture?

            I think that hate speech does directly affect our culture. However, I don’t think this is anything new. If the new media did not influence people, older forms like word of mouth would. Whatever you are around often I think influences you. It’s up the people out there to choose what they see.  I would say kids who watch South Park are more likely to say hate words that they hear over and over versus not watching it at all. If they were to be around adult or parent who used the same language, the same effect would happen. Hate speech may be passed along through media, but there is deeper reasons why it exists, that should be the focus. If you are a person who can recognize negative/hate views from media, it would be somewhat possible to get away from it, just cut out computer, TV, newspapers, internet and books. I disagree with Giroux with some of the shows they mention being bad influences. I don’t agree with his example of the show Dexter. Looking at Dexter without actually watching the show would give the sense of bad morals. Yet the show is based on how the main character is conflicted with what is moral, right and wrong. The problem with my view, or anyone’s, is it is not concrete. Things just like this topic are interpreted differently.