#4: Advertisement Analysis

People Of Color Discuss Black History Month

We are nearing the middle of February, a.k.a. Black History Month (BHM), where the push for low levels of hostility between black people and the rest of the world are at an all-time high. As we know, racial translation has always been, and will probably always be, an ongoing process in America. Most people often use it to create an example out of a person or situation while others choose to ignore our obvious differences and claim that they "don't see color". But, what is America really saying about African Americans during their most influential period of the year?

Major news outlets are glorifying Black History Month, as they should, for the support of the public, but rather than applying a small amount of pressure, some have gone as far as challenging the hate or even calling it out. Author Kerra L. Bolton wants to know "are you willing to challenge and change your beliefs…?" through CNN by revisiting the essence of BHM and why America provided this celebration in the first place. In this, they pose some rhetoric for reflection which sends a strong positive message of how CNN feels about black history. Washington Post went even deeper with their target: the parents. Author A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez explains that "BHM provides education to white Americans who are unaware of the social, systematic and personal grievances experienced by the descendants of African slaves." She strongly heeds not only the youth but their providers of the circumstances of this opportunity for unity.

Although there are several individuals and groups who can truly classify themselves as "woke", even the slightest bend to the Black History Month rules can lead a trail of fire behind it. WBUR News reported on February 12, 2018 that sometime this month, the Boston Police Department were set ablaze by social media standards. The department's decision to recognize a white male for his contributions to black history in the NBA was put to rest very swiftly due to responses calling them "tone-deaf" and "clueless". The tweet was later removed and paired with not only a statement from Boston's Mayor, Marty Walsh, saying it was "completely inappropriate", but with a new tweet where tribute was payed straight to the source. This is a great example of how strategic, planned, and careful an advertisement should before laying it out to our diverse audiences. The Boston Police Department claims to have had no intentions in offending anyone and apologized for the matter, but have possibly broken a bond with their public eye.