Abstract
This Article provides an overview of the international and domestic responses to media-fueled violence and demonstrates how both legal systems have failed to provide meaningful protections for Black Americans from vigilante violence and atrocity. Part I explores the history of media as a propaganda tool against underrepresented groups, detailing how it has promoted atrocity domestically and internationally. There are parallels between the historical and contemporary use of media as a method to fuel atrocity against minority groups; illustrating these examples indicates the continued risk of violence and atrocity faced by Black Americans due to these models of persuasive communication. Part II provides an overview of the international and domestic responses to media-fueled atrocity. While both the UN and the United States claim to be committed to the prevention of atrocity and have even made attempts to prevent atrocity internationally, these legal responses have failed to provide an adequate safeguard against the widespread proliferation of racist narratives and tropes specifically designed to incite violence. Part III examines current efforts to prevent atrocity, offering alternative solutions that would provide accountability and atrocity protection for Black Americans.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2024
Repository Citation
Atkins, Tiffany D., "Media + Vigilante Violence: The Formula for American Atrocity" (2024). Law Faculty Scholarly Articles. 793.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/law_facpub/793
Notes/Citation Information
Tiffany D. Atkins, Media + Vigilante Violence: The Formula for American Atrocity, 62 U. Louisville L. Rev. 685 (2024).