I'm not quite sure who first expressed this thought, but it is resonant of the primary assumptions of media studies and media effects. What we perceive is real to us and is usually uncontested. Sometimes no one can tell you anything. It is the way you see it. Undoubtedly, the mass media via images in magazines, representation (or exclusion) in film and television, the framing of news stories in news papers and 24hour cable news construct for us a reality that we do not usually challenge.
Media literacy requires that we understand the historical and economic factors that shape message content through various media channels. There exists a polygamous marriage between media outlets, Big Money, and government--none of which is consistently in the interest of the people. Taking these relationships into consideration, we ought to be careful that we ingest mediated content critically.
For me, the most painful effects of media's creation is its influence on social perception--the way we see others and more importantly, the way we see ourselves. This blog will be dedicated to discussing the role that the media play in constructing identities. Even more concerning is the commodification of some identities--those that are packaged and sold. While there are a number of other factors such as identification, personal beliefs, and environment that shape a person, the impact of media is more real than not. This blog is intended to illustrate this reality. . .and hopefully insert a little Truth. Welcome to Media and Identity.
