Blogger fights back against portrayal of Flint in media
I just saw this today. It’s an indictment of the media’s portrayal of Flint, and it’s written by a friend from my alma mater, The University of Michigan-Flint. Read it and let me know what you think.
She references how Flint is the poster child for every negative list that a publication can concoct to attract the ambulance-chasing public:
I have to tell you, these lists are getting old. In an era when media companies have been gutted, and the notion of true investigative journalism without agenda is becoming mythical, these lists are cheap content fillers. You have someone pull statistics, stock photos, and bam!–instant content that can be re-tweeted and regurgitated for a media empire that is a shallow shadow of its former self. We need a visit from Edward R. Murrow, the Ghost of Journalism Past.
She also points out that buried beneath all the negativity is a lot of positive stuff that gets overlooked.
Flint is the so-called fat kid in gym class. Undervalued, underappreciated, and relegated to the lowest narrative form, no matter how many positive things happen, Flint gets nothing but negativity. If anyone outside of Genesee County would visit this community, they would see more than our so-called gritty streets, desperate souls, and every other narrow description that has been attributed to this town.
It’s troubling, to be sure, that some of the unjustified negativity comes from people who, unbeknownst to them, actually benefit most from a renaissance of sorts in Flint — you know, the people who live here. That’s why I think it’s vital that people in this community become greater stakeholders; we need to take ownership of this community to move it forward.
I think it’s important to understand that the path of least resistance is the road most often traveled by our popular media. Looking beneath the surface, beyond the perception, is easy. If we don’t like how we are portrayed in the media, then we need to work harder to change perceptions.
January 26, 2011 at 6:17 pm
I think it has nothing to do with the media. I grew up in Flint and moved on once I got the chance. Flint is a sad town that GM has left as a graveyard with the souls of the living left to dig themselves out, or get buried in the heap. This has nothing to do with the media, they report what is seen and heard, unfortunately most of its true.
January 26, 2011 at 6:58 pm
That’s very poetic, Dawn, but lacking in substance.
I think the point of the post was to reference the lack of play that the positivity gets in the media. There are plenty of great things happening in this “sad town.”
January 26, 2011 at 8:16 pm
I left Flint many years ago and went back for a cousin & aunt reunion last September. My wonderful Aunt Carolyn who has lived there all her live says that “Flint’s not as bad as the news says it is.” We had a wonderful time there and the Flint Farmer’s Market was fabulous! What I love about Flint is that the people I meet there are down to earth and real. You can’t get any better than that.
January 26, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Not trying to start an argument, but when was the last time youve gone back to Flint? It really is moving up. I did the same thing, left town as soon as I could and never wanted to come back. Well, I have family and friends there so of course I have been back and the changes I see every time I visit are surprisingly heartwarming. The heart of the city, and the people who are dedicating their time and energy to Flint are simply inspiring. After all we have been through Flint still doesnt say die! What is truely unfortunate is that no one will know this until the media also jumps on the repair truck.
January 26, 2011 at 9:17 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Farrell Hamann and Broadside, Visit Flint Michigan. Visit Flint Michigan said: Blogger fights back against portrayal of Flint in media. http://bit.ly/el51as [...]
January 26, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Hate to break the news to you, Dawn, but the media doesn’t report all that they see and hear-and if you believe all that you read, I have a bridge to sell you. I just love how those who’ve moved away always are so quick to offer a negative opinion of the city I proudly call home. Bad-mouth us all you want, we know what’s really happening in Flint.
January 26, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Sorry, got swept up in a moment of nostalgia and hometown pride. There are a few things that I need to clarify. First, that I am mostly thinking about downtown. I honestly havent been to the east side, or the north end, Hasselbring Park, Dort Highway or even drove down any street named after a state.. for about a decade now. I would bet those areas are probably not all that different, if not worse. I know people are still hurting other people and smoking drugs and generally being destructive and in a lot of hardship. This is a large part of why Im not really someone who watches the news, or really listens to the radio. I go to school, work, and try to have a life, so following all the sadness in the world is not a priority. But I do know this, about 90% of the time that Flint is brought up, it is in a negative light. From a music video featuring Flint to the reactions of fellow classmates when I tell them where Im from. The problem here seems to be the focus on the horrors of Flint, which is easy to do when they have been in abundance for so long.. But, now I see something else in Flint also. A group of super hardworking amazing people that are trying really hard. Ive never seen this sort of positive effort in Flint before, granted its like shoveling snow with a spoon. I think that if people from Flint would start focusing on the changes that are being made, what can be done in the future and start defending their home (cause face it, if you went to school here its your hometown) maybe someday Flint can drop the homicide/violent crime/drug use lists.