Tuesday, 30 August 2005 CDT
Racial bias in coverage of a disaster
The only difference between the following two photos is the color of skin. Both photos show what is technically looting, although taking food during a disaster seems more like survival. There is no excuse for the black man to be labeled a looter while the white people are residents “finding&rdquo bread and soda. The AFP caption seems more appropriate in contrast to the AP's choice of words.
Associated Press (AP) caption: A young man walks through chest deep flood water after looting a grocery store in New Orleans on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005. Flood waters continue to rise in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina did extensive damage when it made landfall on Monday.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) caption: Two residents wade through chest-deep water after finding bread and soda from a local grocery store after Hurricane Katrina came through the area in New Orleans, Louisiana.
