Nexus Between Race and Media: A Study of American Populist Politics

Abstract The United States signed the ICERD (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination) in 1966 and later ratified the Convention, but despite these commitments, the repercussions of racial discrimination continue to affect Black Americans. Studies show persistent disparities in areas such as healthcare, criminal justice, wealth, education, and workplace dynamics, reflecting deeply entrenched systemic racism. This paper examines how these inequities manifest in public opinion and populist politics, drawing on Critical Race Theory to explore the role of racist ideologies in shaping American society. It further investigates the influence of media in perpetuating these ideologies, highlighting how narratives are controlled by dominant groups. Using the works of Frantz Fanon, Erich Fromm, and Marshall McLuhan, the study analyses political learning and the media's role in shaping racial biases.