A Racial Reckoning of a Progressive Ideology in Public Discourse

Authors

  • Sue Robinson Helen Franklin Firstbrook Professor of Journalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communication , University of Wisconsin, Madison, robinson4@wisc.edu

Keywords:

race, digital technologies, discourse, political communication, progressive, media, trust

Abstract

Applying racial formation theory, this research argues that when the political progressive ideology becomes the status quo, it loses its focus on “reform” and “progress” toward equity. Critical discourse analysis of media texts reveals how the ideology evolved into a “racial project” perpetuating institutional racism. When a moment of racial reckoning is presented to challenge the hegemonic politics in this case study, politicians, journalists, and engaged citizens employ discursive strategies to uncover privileges, call out (dis)trusting relationships, and reclaim the dominant narrative around what reform and progress look like. This work demonstrates how political communication unfolds when a progressively maintained infrastructure is revealed to be a system of oppression and where digital platforms allow for a substantial challenge.

Author Biography

Sue Robinson, Helen Franklin Firstbrook Professor of Journalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communication , University of Wisconsin, Madison, robinson4@wisc.edu

Sue Robinson (PhD, Temple University, 2007) holds the Helen Franklin Firstbrook Professor Journalism endowed chair at the School of Journalism & Mass Communication in the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 608-287-6746 

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Published

2018-11-14

Issue

Vol. 12 (2018)

Section

Articles

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