Prof Andrew Rojecki-The Tea Party and the Politics of Insecurity

           Professor Andrew Rojecki’s lecture relates to our discussions on selective perception and framing. In his argument, Rojecki makes specific reference to the role of selective perception in how Tea Party members consume media. Of course, selective perception is not exclusive to members of the Tea Party, but that is the subject of his lecture. In any case, he brings up the important point that, currently, our political discourse is dysfunctional (Comm. 101, Rojecki). Basically, because Americans are experiencing so much uncertainty, it is causing a breakdown in our political communication. Further, media is exacerbating the problem by catering to hyper-partisan audiences (Comm. 101, Rojecki).

            Because we are bombarded with an abundance of stimuli—external and internal—it makes sense that we selectively perceive. In selective perception “each person actively chooses what to attend to depending on personal interests, motivations, desires and expectations” (Tubbs 39). In other words, we pay attention to the information that is most meaningful to us, and ignore the rest.

            Framing is an important concept in the discussion on political communication and the Tea Party. Rojecki’s argument proves that framing can be used to manipulate, and can be a barrier to informed discourse in our society. Among other things, his argument reasons that because of the Great Recession, and changes in political economy, members of the Tea Party are in a panic (Comm. 101, Rojecki). In other words, when one is emotional, one can’t think rationally. For example, Rojecki points out that one of the main demands of the Tea Party is for others to be less reliant on government. However, he notes that the Tea Party doesn’t want to sacrifice the government programs that they rely on. As a result of the Tea Party panic, there seems to be a cognitive break —their argument is weak under scrutiny. The media frames the Tea Party message as being about the government taxing too much. But I agree with Rojecki that at the basis of the claim is racism and resources—frames seem to target the path of least resistance. Further, it suggests that members of Tea Party think that they are the only people paying taxes in the country.

            The in-class exercise on the rat/baby article was an effective lesson on how stories are framed: a story is processed depending upon the information a reader is given in combination with personal beliefs. That is why it is very important to learn critical reading skills, which I am still learning.

 Kellee E. Warren