Media and the Civil Rights Movement: The Vehicle for Social Change by: Arron Nadler

The media is arguably the most influential tool for creating, influencing and reflecting public opinion and consciousness. It has the ability to shape societal views and norms. In fact, since the advent of the media's existence it has widely been used to accomplish this very task. That the media can serve this purpose is especially evident if we examine the way it was used during the American civil rights movement. This movement took place between 1954 and 1965. During this revolutionary period, African-Americans vehemently fought for their equality and freedom. This struggle for civ…