November 9, 2018
How are the
described or narrated
euphemism: description of action using language with positive valence instead of neutral or negative terms (describing a lynching as a "trial" and "execution")
dysphemism: description of action with negative or pejorative adjective instead of neutral or positive terms (calling a protest "chaotic")
Objectification: characterize narrative action as irrefutable or true ("no doubt" victim of lynching "guilty of a crime")
Subjectification: characterize narrative as subjective and potentially incorrect ("alleged")
Activation: use of active voice to attribute responsibility of actions to specific actors ("Hose outraged…")
Passivization: use of passive voice to deny responsibility of actions to specific actors ("… was lynched", "… was burned")
Naturalization: actions shown to be natural (just the way things are), inevitable, or expected (crime so terrible, lynching response was due to "moral insanity")
De-Naturalization: actions not natural or inevitable, but orchestrated or planned (Ida Wells on Southern Horrors)
Unambiguously racist film
Ben Carson (the little Colonel): White southerner/love interest
Elsie Stoneman: White Northern woman (attacked by Silas Lynch)
Silas Lynch: African American ("mulatto") politician