The purpose of this set of fieldnotes is to encourage you to pay attention to when and how messages about race or ethnicity appear in the media you consume every day. This set of fieldnotes has twoparts: (1) observation and data recording, and (2) reflection.
(1) Observation. For 2 consecutive days, pay attention to ALL of the media you consume (at least S unique entries a day (total: 10 entries). These media can include TV shows, news programs and newspapers, sportscasts, movies, You Tube videos, video games, websites, blogs, podcasts, etc. We want you to record how and when race or ethnicity appear in these media as well as the kinds of messages about race/ethnicity that are being sent. This can be challenging, because sometimes the messages are not explicit or direct, but are instead implied or "under the surface." Pay attention to the messages that our favorite programs and podcasts send about this issue.
Your data collection table will need to include:
a. day of the week
b. type of media + specific title
c. a brief summary of how race/ethnicity appeared (or didn't appear)
d. a brief statement of the message this sends about race/ethnicity; the meaning that race/ethnicity holds in this particular media sample
e. a note about your personal response to this. Were you surprised to see race/ethnicity depicted this way? Or, are you used to it?