Media biased on missing Black boys, too
Diasia Ellerbee/NNPA Special Correspondent
Issue date: 5/10/09 Section: Cover
"… [W]ithout an Amber Alert there is no media coverage locally or nationally," she said. "Now, when it comes to Black men, there are more missing Black men in the United States than missing Black women, according to the FBI missing person's report. …Black men do not receive media exposure is because society, media, and law enforcement like to relate their disappearance to drugs, crime, or violence."
Missing children activist and founder of the online blog, omega7.com, Alonzo Washington agrees that African-American men and boys get the least amount of media attention among missing people. The only Black males that would receive coverage would be someone of high stature, according to Washington.
"If you're grown, a man, and Black, then you can forget about it," Washington said. "Young Black boys may get a little teaser, but never an ongoing investigation like Caylee Anthony, Elizabeth Smart or Samantha Runnion."
"The mindset of the media is that if it bleeds it leads," said Detective Richard Adams of the Youth Investigation Division Missing Person Unit in the District of Columbia. "Media wants something sensational."
William Van Croft IV has been missing from the District since January 31. He has Asperger's Syndrome and went missing a year after the death of his father.
According to Jason Cherkis who writes an online blog for the Washington City Paper, the police department waited until February 11, to issue a press release.
In his blog, he cited a comment by Cherita Whiting that speculated an indifference in Van Croft's case. Whiting is an activist for education in the D.C. metropolitan area.
"[William's] mother filed a missing person report with DC Youth Investigations on Jan 31", Whiting said. "It sat on a desk somewhere and they just started investigating this case on 2/10. I have sent multiple messages to the At-Large Council members and every police officer that I can find who is associated with Ward 1 Precinct 107.
Missing children activist and founder of the online blog, omega7.com, Alonzo Washington agrees that African-American men and boys get the least amount of media attention among missing people. The only Black males that would receive coverage would be someone of high stature, according to Washington.
"If you're grown, a man, and Black, then you can forget about it," Washington said. "Young Black boys may get a little teaser, but never an ongoing investigation like Caylee Anthony, Elizabeth Smart or Samantha Runnion."
"The mindset of the media is that if it bleeds it leads," said Detective Richard Adams of the Youth Investigation Division Missing Person Unit in the District of Columbia. "Media wants something sensational."
William Van Croft IV has been missing from the District since January 31. He has Asperger's Syndrome and went missing a year after the death of his father.
According to Jason Cherkis who writes an online blog for the Washington City Paper, the police department waited until February 11, to issue a press release.
In his blog, he cited a comment by Cherita Whiting that speculated an indifference in Van Croft's case. Whiting is an activist for education in the D.C. metropolitan area.
"[William's] mother filed a missing person report with DC Youth Investigations on Jan 31", Whiting said. "It sat on a desk somewhere and they just started investigating this case on 2/10. I have sent multiple messages to the At-Large Council members and every police officer that I can find who is associated with Ward 1 Precinct 107.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Q
posted 5/13/09 @ 10:30 AM EST
Why aren't the black television channels (i.e., BET, TVONe) showing the minorities who are missing? I feel that that instead of showing buffoonery all day long that they should take time out and post the black and missing. (Continued…)
Anthony
posted 5/14/09 @ 4:13 AM EST
I just don't get it why so many individuals end up missing. But then again, it's a sign of how broken families have become in the country.
J
posted 6/11/09 @ 1:48 PM EST
On avg 2200 children go missing everyday in america each day. It is our duty to respond by making sure the authorities follow federal laws that are in place to protect our children. (Continued…)
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