Media Watch: Robert Fuller - Rankism

Media Watch is a series of reports looking at how the conventional media are covering critical issues, and offering an alternative perspective on the news.

In this Link TV Media Watch, Robert Fuller used the Imus affair as a hook to introduce the notion of rankism-abuse of the power carried by rank-and the antidote to this "malady"-equal dignity for all. Not equal dignity for some, but for ALL.

• Category

  News & Politics

[TheMedia4all]

Rankism is all-pervasive in the social and political institutions. Like any other institutions, media is also not free from the sting of rankism. Rooted deep in rankism, "Press Freedom" cannot be free indeed. However, Fuller makes brilliant arguments suggesting that it is not possible to live with dignity keeping rankism in operation. So, it is time to opt for stopping the demon.

[joan Jones]

Race, Sex, Orientation, Dizzyness etc. are just pretexts to the main culprit and that is RANKISM. Rankism is needed itself but it is the degrading, humiliating, ignoring that is sometimes added to it. This radio guy probably did not think like this. It is just a way of making controversy for hisself. I was just reading Fullers book. WHAT THEN IS RANKISM WHEN PEERS DO IT??? ANYONE KNOW?

[linktv]

Great explanation of Rankism!

[maxx1boy]

I think Rankism is the very best way to destroy our legal system as we know it today, to many Attorney's/Government whom themself think they can BULLY people into submission as they have the ability to create a monster legal fee for the opposing party, let the people be able to stand up to this. This goes for any Bully, large Corp, Government etc,

[Brasswatchman]

(continued from last post) Why can Imus be targeted for said languages' use, but not black rappers? While I know Reverands Sharpton and James come out against said trends in rap and hip-hop, it still seems a little uneven to me that Imus could attract such controversy and not - say - BET-produced music videos. Is there something I'm not seeing here?

[Brasswatchman]

This clip is good in that it serves as a simple explanation of Dr. Fuller's theories and of dignitarianism. That having been said, I'm not entirely sure that the Imus situation is the most applicable situation. I'm not exactly sure how to interpret the race relations here. To be honest, it seems to me that the language Imus used originated in hip-hop and rap culture. (continued in next post)