...::Oscar Grant And Street Media

Oscar Grant poster in Oakland CA

Oscar Grant is the young unarmed father who was shot in the back and killed by a transit cop in Oakland CA on New Year's Day 2009. Most of you know about the case. Above is an Associated Press picture from Oakland. Here is the photo caption--

A beauty salon-- with a poster of Oscar Grant in the window-- is locked up in Oakland, California. Several shops put up photos of Grant in their windows in the hope that it would deter rioters [sic] from damaging the businesses.

Two lessons on media in the modern age here--

One, this poster is a good example of how street media can be used. Street media is where individuals or small groups go straight to the streets to influence public opinion. With street media, you don't send press releases to the Big Paper In Town. You don't buy an ad on a local radio station. You create strong images, words and/or sounds, and you take it to the streets.

Two, this is also an example of how street media can be mis-used-- The beauty salon owner is being very crafty-- "If I put this poster up, folks will not likely damage my business after the trial verdict." It is not being used for the purpose intended by the maker of the poster.

...::The Media Was A Catalyst In Death Of Detroit Girl

Aiyana Jones, age 7


Dominika Stanley and Charles Jones, the parents of Aiyana Jones

Kimora Lee Simmons, model, designer and businesswoman, comments on the media's role the 17.May.2010 killing by Detroit cops of Aiyana Jones...

Damn Detroit Police Department! You burned, shot and killed Aiyana Jones, a little seven year old girl.

You threw a stun grenade through the front window and lit the little girl’s blanket on fire! And then you shot off a bullet that [pierced] her neck! ...

First you said that the grandmother attacked the officer who pulled the trigger that pierced the neck of Aiyana, and now you have revised your story to say that the grandmother "may have simply collided" with the officer.

No matter what happened, you should never have used those tactics, because there were children in the house. And of course you knew that - since there were toys all over the front lawn!...

How, in this age of unfettered technology, did you get this so wrong?!! It’s my sincere hope that the cameras for A&E’s “The First 48” television series that trailed you and filmed the whole incident didn’t spur your heroics! I know reality shows, very well indeed. Please tell me that this wasn't a performance for the cameras!

And here is an important commentary on how the media and cops boost each other in deadly situations.

The wails and cries of Aiyana's grandmother, Mertilla Jones, are some of the most heartwrenching scenes you will ever see [toward the end of the video].

There is also a Facebook page on Aiyana's behalf.