Learning Activity #4: Leading with a Social Consicousness
Arguably, the most important part of the news story is the lead--how the story begins. While students are working on interviewing people for the previous learning experience, this study of leads can help students prepare to write more socially conscious openings to their profiles. The experience allows students to see how the beginning of the lead affects the reader’s perception of the conflict and those involved.
These guiding questions should be used to examine the opening of the articles about the 1968 Democratic Convention Protests:
- Based on the lead, whom does the reporting seem to favor?
- What words or phrases in the headline or lead provide evidence of this?
These are headlines and leads from the conservative leaning Chicago Tribune:
“Police Repel Jeering Mob of Peaceniks,” Chicago Tribune Aug 26, 1968; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Tribune pg. 1
“Swarms anti-war, anti-administration "peaceniks," some carrying Viet Cong Flags, swept from Lincoln Park South toward the loop last night but were stopped by Chicago police at the Michigan Avenue Bridge at midnight. Club-wielding police managed to disperse bands of hippies, yippies, and other radical groups early today on the city's near North Side. Police estimated nearly 1,000 peaceniks got as far as the Michigan Avenue Bridge before a line of 100 police drove them back. No one was injured.”
“2,000 Flee to Park in Tear Gas Attacks: 29000 Flee to Park in Tear Gas Attacks” Chicago Tribune (1963-1996); Aug 30, 1968; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Tribune pg. 1
“Anti-war demonstrators, hippies, yippies, and numerous disgruntled Democratic convention delegates appeared to have finally come down early today in the Grant Park trouble area across from the Conrad Hilton Hotel. However, quiet settled over the park only after another night of demonstrations in which an estimated two thousand protesters confronted police and national guardsmen. The guardsmen discharged tear gas repeatedly and slowly pushed the clouds back into Grant Park.”
“Daley Backs Cops’ Action: Planned Disruption Is Cited” by Schreiber, Edward, Chicago Tribune (1963-1996); Aug 30, 1968; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Tribune pg. 1
“Mayor Daley yesterday defended the Chicago Police Department's actions in the disturbances during the Democratic National Convention. After reading a statement in a press conference, Daley abruptly left without answering questions. He noted that the demonstrators’ tactics and strategy had been disclosed before the convention opened and charged that the protesters had openly displayed their intention to disrupt the Democratic meeting. ‘On behalf of the City of Chicago and its people and the police department, I would like to issue this statement and I expect in the sense of fair play, it will be given the same kind of distribution on press, radio, and television as the mob of rioters were given yesterday,’ Daley said.”
These are headlines and leads from reporting by the Chicago Defender, a more progressive African American publication, the same week as the ones above:
“It Is Time ... Right Now ... For Dems To Act,” Chicago Daily Defender (1966-1973); Aug 24, 1968; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Defender pg. 1
The eyes of Black America will be focused on this city and Democratic Party leaders next week. What transpires here will determine the fate of this nation for years to come. Big words? Yes! Significant decisions? It must be made! Black America will be watching the posture of black delegates (175) and black alternates (125). Black delegates will come to the convention well-organized. The same black delegates will come to the convention under strong united leadership. These same black delegates will be able to evaluate their strength and to demand recognition commensurate with their ability to be a ‘balance of power’ in many states.”
“Police Can't Stop Us, Says Abernathy: Poor Group Joins Yippies At Park Rally” by Faith Christmas, Daily Defender Staff Writer, Chicago Daily Defender (1966-1973); Aug 31, 1968; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Defender pg. 1
The Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, told some 2,000 cheering yippies and spectators at Grant Park Thursday to write a letter to Mayor Richard J. Daley and tell him that the police and troops cannot stop a black-and-white movement. Standing on a makeshift platform, Rev. Abernathy declared: ‘You are having the first Democratic convention ever to be held in a park because nothing is taking place over there in the Amphitheatre. We are going to continue this movement until something meaningful takes place and we're letting them know we're going to ‘Sock it to them, baby.’’Abernathy said black people have been tricked by the Republicans and robbed for the Democrats but stated he still has hope for America.”
“Judge Cracks Down On Police Abuse,” Chicago Daily Defender (1966-1973); Aug 31, 1968; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Defender pg. 1
Chicago policemen's recent attacks on anti-war demonstrators and newsmen ‘show very clearly to the rest of the nation if not the world the kind of harassing treatment that black people have been subjected to for a long time in Chicago.’ That opinion was voiced by Kermit Coleman, director of the American Civil Liiberties Union's ghetto project, in the wake of a ruling by U.S. Appeals Court Judge Elmer J. Schnackenberg that Chicago policemen may no longer abuse newsmen and photographers. In attacking newsmen, delegates at the Democratic National Convention, and other whites, police struck out at ‘people who have voices and who will respond from positions of power,’ Coleman said.”
Key takeaways: While there might be some debate and discussion with the learning experience, the Chicago Tribune clearly uses language that leans toward justifying the attacks on protestors. The Chicago Defender, on the other hand, shows protestors acting to advance a more just society and gain some needed political power.
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