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Communication realities in a "post-racial" society : what the U.S. public really thinks about Barack Obama / Mark P. Orbe.

Title: Communication realities in a "post-racial" society : what the U.S. public really thinks about Barack Obama / Mark P. Orbe.
Author: Orbe, Mark P.
Publication: Lanham, Md. : Lexington Books, c2011.

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Status	Format	Access	Call Number	Item Location
Request for On-site Use Request Scan How do I pick up this item and when will it be ready?	Text	Request in advance	E901.1.O23 O73 2011	Off-site

Details

Description

vi, 245 p.; 23 cm.

Summary

This book seeks to go beyond existing public polls regarding Barack Obama, and instead offers a comprehensive treatment of public perceptions that resist mass generalizations based on race, gender, age, political affiliation, or geographical location. Drawing from a large national qualitative data set generated by 333 diverse participants from twelve different states across six U.S. regions, Mark P. Orbe offers a comprehensive look into public perceptions of Barack Obama's communication style, race matters, and the role of the media in 21st century politics. Communication Realities in a "Post-Racial" Society: What the U.S. Public Really Thinks about Barack Obama is the first of its kind in that it uses the voices of everyday U.S. Americans to advance our understanding of how identity politics influence public perceptions. The strength of a book such as this one lies within the power of the diverse perspectives of hundreds of participants. Each chapter features extended comments from rural volunteer fire fighters in southern Ohio, African American men in Oakland, CA, religious communities in Alabama; New England senior citizens; military families from southern Virginia; Tea Party members from Nebraska; business and community leaders from North Carolina; individuals currently unemployed and/or underemployed in Connecticut; college students from predominately White, Black, and Hispanic-serving institutions of higher learning; and others. As such, it is the first book that is based on comments from multiple perspectives - something that allows a deeper understanding that hasn't been possible with public polls, media sound bites, and political commentary. It is a must read for scholars interested in contemporary communication in a time when "post-racial" declarations are met with resistance and political junkies who seek an advanced understanding of the peculiarities of rapidly changing political realities.

Series Statement

Lexington studies in political communication

Uniform Title

Lexington studies in political communication.

Subject

Bibliography (note)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Processing Action (note)

committed to retain

Contents

Barack Obama, communication, and race -- Describing the study -- Barack Obama as communicator -- Perceptions of Barack Obama's communication style -- Shifts in perception: the campaign versus the presidency -- "Presidential communication" -- Race matters in a "post-racial" society -- The role of race in "post-racial" politics -- Black pride in, and allegiance to, President Obama -- White opposition to President Obama -- Gates/Crowley conflict and the "beer summit" -- The media machine -- Media influences -- The celebrity president -- Critical reflections and concluding thoughts.

ISBN

9780739169902 (cloth : alk. paper)
0739169904 (cloth : alk. paper)
9780739169919 (pbk. : alk. paper)
0739169912 (pbk. : alk. paper)
9780739169926 (ebook)
0739169920 (ebook)

LCCN

^^2011030857

OCLC

742512241
SCSB-11068844

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library