I have always had a huge interest in missing children cases/abductions where recently I have been reading the book called ‘captive’ about Ariel Castro and the 3 girls that had held in captivity for over 15 years. I started to think about it and did some internet research where I came across the idea that every single missing persons report I found that was highly published in the international media happened to be a caucasian child. It actually took me specific wording in order to find a case that was even slightly recognised about a black missing child. This really bothers me because I don’t understand why the colour of your skin should have an influence in the media regarding helping the child in need. People consuming this media feel so sorry for the family of the missing white person but there is barely any recognition for black people mostly children. I can understand racial issues, but when it comes to the idea of someones life in danger especially a child it is beyond me to understand why the media wouldn’t give them just as much attention as a white child.
I can’t even begin to think of a time I saw in the paper, on Facebook or on the T.V when a black child is drawing media attention for being missing. People are still on the hunt for Madeline Mccann who was kidnapped over 5 years ago and I am certain there has been hundreds of missing black children from then but once do we ever hear about it? Never.
This racial divide in the media is one that really breaks my heart, I don’t understand it or even understand how media supports this because it is someones life on the line and for that it really bothers me.