Community Dialogue

WHAT: Historic community dialogue / panel discussion regarding the role and responsibility of mass media in helping to address individual and institutionalized racism


WHO: Activists Against Racism Movement (in conjunction with more than 25 local community agencies and organizations).

Panelists include News Directors from Channels 8, 9, 10, & 13; representatives from T.V. One, Rochester Association of Black Journalists, About Time Magazine, Minority Reporter and Challenger newspapers, WXXI radio and Rochester Indymedia


WHEN: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM)...............Wednesday, February 25, 2009 (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM)


WHERE: James Monroe High School (164 Alexander Street, Rochester, NY)


WHY: For Activists Against Racism Movement and the general Rochester Community to begin developing a concrete, ongoing, working-relationship with representatives of mass-media in order to help:

1) produce solutions for outstanding socioeconomic, political, cultural issues and problems within our local, regional, and national communities;

2) create an atmosphere that de-emphasizes perpetuation of negative stereotypes concerning communities of color, especially as it relates to the African American Community;

3) bring more recognition and attention to positive efforts and achievements within communities of color;

4) critique, analyze, and educate regarding the functioning of racism in general, and the role of mass-media in perpetuating racism.

Contact: Mr. Dana Bratcher: dbratcher33@yahoo.com

Mr. Bratcher (Activists Against Racism Movement, Recruitment Committee Chairperson) was quoted as having said: "The recent, blatantly classic example (among many) of the NY Post being comfortable enough to mock the President of the United States of America, and liken him to a violent chimpanzee, and then have the audacity to initially attempt to defend their so-called journalistic practices as justified --- is a crystal clear indicator as to why initiation of dialogue regarding mainstream, mass-media's role in perpetuating individual an institutionalized racism, is in essence, only a baby step, a starting point relative to the hard, but necessary work ahead of us. With regard to the critical need to address the serious, deep-seated issue and problem of individual and institutionalized racism, AARM, along with its community partners, will demonstrate to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and others --- that not all of us in the nation are cowards. On February 25th, we will set a clear and important example for the nation, and will once again showcase Rochester, NY as a city of firsts."