Images of West Indian Immigrants in Mass Media: The Struggle for a Positive Ethnic Reputation (New Americans)

Du Bois explores mass media's unflattering images of "black" Caribbean immigrants. Drawing on the extended case study in the Chesapeake region, she highlights media ethics in relation to minorities. Analyses of journalism, advertisements, TV, and film reveal ways these immigrants were unfairly depicted during the 1980s and 1990s and how relationships among law enforcers, journalists, criminals, and Hollywood writers shaped media representations. Du Bois also details the West Indians' response. She places their concerns in the context of an America where dark-skinned immigrants can be subjected to racism and xenophobia, particularly when members of their community commit crimes. Her findings are relevant to the current struggle to balance journalism about terrorists with a desire to treat all Americans fairly.