Cityline/WCVB Boston: Prof. Copeland Explains How to Test Entertainment Media for Anti-Racism
Prof. Phillipe Copeland from BU School of Social Work recently discussed his new anti-racist test for pop culture on WCVB’s award-winning urban public affairs show, Cityline. “The Copeland Test” looks at portrayals of racism in films and television and provides simple questions to determine whether they accurately represent racial realities. Instead of individual depictions of racist encounters, Prof. Copeland explains why the media should explore more systemic issues.
Excerpt from “A Pop Culture Pop Quiz on Antiracism,” originally posted on Cityline on WCVB Boston:
How can you discern if the content you are viewing on television or the movies is antiracist? Dr. Phillipe Copeland, associate professor at Boston University School of Social Work, and faculty lead at BU’s Center for Anti Racist Research has developed a test that can help you identify antiracism in popular culture.
‘Often people believe racism is just a matter of blatant acts by whites of bigotry, discrimination and hatred. But sometimes it looks like belief systems that have similar effects to discrimination. They end up making it more difficult for people who historically have been targets of overt discrimination. For example, there are many voter suppression laws throughout the country. They don’t say black people cannot vote, what they do is make it harder for black people to vote and that’s a good example of systemic racism. People need to see that kind of racism portrayed so they know it when they see it.’”
Watch the full interview: