Harris a transference of identity within modern media landscape.

During Vice President Harris’ campaign with President Biden, she faced an intense wave of negative social media attention that targeted various aspects of her identity and character. Harris was simultaneously described as “inauthentic/ambitious,” “violent/dangerous,” “tough/anti-Black,” “sexually promiscuous,” “loser,” and having poor personal characteristics (Nee, 2023, p. 282-285). These categories correlate with research frames associated with female politicians, Black candidates, and Black women in media representation (Nee, 2023, p. 285). The frames of “inauthentic/ambitious” and criticisms of personal characteristics such as physical appearance and mannerisms have been shown to correlate with stereotypes of women in politics (Nee, 2023, p. 285-286). Simultaneously, the frames of “violent” and “anti-Black” create a juxtaposition that is used to frame Black politicians as both a dog-whistle for racist stereotypes and attempts to undermine their Blackness (Nee, 2023, p. 286). These dual frames attempt to simultaneously portray Harris as both a threat and someone who is not truly Black, using her identity as a point of contention. Finally, the labels of “sexually promiscuous” and “loser” are used to dog-whistle racialized stereotypes for Black women (Nee, 2023, p. 286). These terms reduce Harris to harmful and outdated stereotypes that have long been applied to Black women, depicting them as unworthy or unfit for power.

Nee’s research is consistent with a wealth of studies discussing media representations of social frames for women, Black people, and Black women running for public office (Chong & Druckman, 2007; Eagly & Karau, 2002; Entman, 1993; Igartua & Cheng, 2009; Metzger et al., 2010; Price & Tewksbury, 1997). These studies further illustrate how women, especially Black women, face unique and compounded challenges in the public eye. The constant undermining and stereotyping of Black female politicians not only impacts their ability to campaign effectively but also perpetuates a cycle of media bias that makes it harder for them to be taken seriously or fairly evaluated in their roles. The intersection of race and gender in media coverage creates a hostile environment where Black women in politics are continually questioned, ridiculed, and marginalized, preventing them from fully participating in the political process without being subjected to harmful stereotypes.

Reference.

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