The mainstream media often distorts the image of underrepresented groups? How is that destructive to both the group and to humanity as a whole? What do you think needs to change?

What do you think about how mainstream media often distorts the image of underrepresented groups? How is that destructive to not one group of people but to humanity as a whole? What do you think needs to change in our media to stop valuing some lives over others?

I grew up in a predominantly white area with Asians as the largest non-white group. There were very few if any black people. It seemed that the only time I saw someone who was black was in the media and it was usually linked to some type of crime. One can develop a sense of a connection with one group of people and negative behaviors or situations related to what the media portrays. If the media were to include a sense of context and more to the story we could all get a fuller picture rather than the surface presentation. More why's and a deeper, more responsible story would help everyone. People who are different would be seen as human and not as "other" and unrelatable. We all could develop a better sense of empathy. This is one reason novels are so important - we put ourselves in other people's shoes.

I agree with the importance of reading to gain understanding of life experiences different from our own. It's easy to relate to enjoy what we can easily translate to our minds eye. Narrative description that depicts a totally different landscape populated with people who look and think differently from ourselves requires readers to work harder for comprehension and empathy. How successful do you think the author Ava Homa is in conveying relatable characters struggling with life and death circumstances while also informing about a people whose plight is subject to global politics?

In the case of the Kurdish people, the mainstream media presented only one aspect of their culture, the Peshmera, or fighters, who supported the American effort in Syria. While I was aware of the deprivation of a homeland for the Kurds, I didn't know about their language, customs, or cultural mores until I read Homa's book. The picture of a fully developed people, trapped within foreign countries and struggling to maintain their identity would have provided more sympathy for and support of the Kurdish struggles over the years. When the United States withdrew from the battlefield, leaving the Kurds to fend for themselves, I, like many others, thought little about the ramifications for a people who lacked anywhere to flee. With more nuanced reporting and placing the Kurdish fighter in the context of their historic struggles, I, and others, would have urged our government to make provisions for the safety of the men, women and children who were left behind like so much used tissue.

I was shocked at how the Kurds have been treated as told in such a profound way by Homa. It angered me that I had known nothing about the Kurds. I had heard the name before, but other than that, I was in the dark. I know that is partly my fault for not being more aware of what is going on in the world. How many more groups of people are there in this world besides the Kurds, who are also fighting for their identity, freedom from persecution and for the world to "see" them?

The mainstream media does not try to portray people who are different in a natural way. It concerns it's reporting from the US perspective and how we are affected by their problems. It is all about what is good for the USA and what benefits we can achieve.

It is important to select a media that will not lean too far in any one direction. If it does, what you get is a purely political view from the perspective of one political camp. So, if you find a neutral channel, you may get a more neutral presentation of what is really happening. Unfortunately, at this time in our country that is a very important step. You can be listening to something about a challenged group of people (pick any example), and flip channels and you may think that it is a whole different planet. This is why it is important to read many sources. Being an informed person these days does take a good deal of time and effort, but worth it.

I think it very important for all people to have access to fair representations of 'Others'. It is far to easy to dismiss the plight of those we do not understand and it is also too easy classify those from different cultures as 'less than'. We can and should do better at recognizing the basic humanity of all peoples.

It seems that the mainstream media often initially writes or reports something about an underrepresented group and then sticks to those points without delving deeper and expanding the information that they report. That view is then repeated until it is ingrained in the reader’s or viewer’s mind. I would not want to be portrayed in such a narrow way. Stories from different perspectives, people, and situations are useful for increasing understanding and love of others.

For me, the media hasn’t really covered the plight of the Kurds at all. That needs to change. We need to know what’s happening in other countries especially when people are being oppressed

The media often depicts them as helpless and because of that helplessness they may possibly be deserving of their fate which is totally harmful. More stories that portray what the real people are like, how they survive under their oppression, how they have rich cultures, and are equal in humanity to every other group need to be out there so they are dealt with as real People, with dreams, strengths, and basically like another people. The more we understand what is the same about us, the more we can celebrate our differences.

Mainstream media is changing and ads show more people of color and mixed groups as well as couples of various races together. These changes are necessary and welcome. I remember watching TV when I was growing up and seeing mostly white people on quiz shows and dramas. Thankfully, we see much change now.