In today’s digital atmosphere, media of all kinds is a significant tool influencing how we perceive current issues. Streaming, TV, TikTok, national news, local news… they’re all part of an always-on firehose of information. Challenging media bias is critical to assess the accuracy of information, identify stereotypes and spread of misinformation.
How in the world is a person to find what’s really the core of a community’s story?
On Tuesday, Oct. 29, Kaleidoscope: Community Conversations will examine this question through the story of ethnic-owned news media in the United States. Emmy award-winner Andrew Ramsammy will share his unique perspective on elevating minority voices and fostering equal representation in local spaces.
What is Kaleidoscope, who should attend and where is the event located?
Kaleidoscope is an interactive speaker series where acclaimed authors take on complex issues facing small communities and how to confront them. These topics range from urban renewal, the risks of high conflict and accurate media representation.
The event will be held in the Mansfield Senior High School auditorium at 5:30 p.m., and features a “pay what you can” ticketing model. A donation of $25 is suggested, but any amount is welcome.
Anyone who hopes to nurture growth, inclusivity and relationships within Richland County should attend. Kaleidoscope invites all community members to bring their questions and ideas to the table as the event includes an open dialogue.
Ramsammy’s experience and perspective
As a strong advocate for social progress, Ramsammy will emphasize the crucial role local media plays in providing a platform for marginalized voices. By sharing stories that are often overlooked or skewed by the mainstream, he believes domestic media can move beyond what’s merely accurate and help readers get to a deeper understanding of what’s true.
“I want to emphasize the power of local journalism and community-driven media to provide authentic narratives that reflect the realities of all residents,” Ramsammy said. “By promoting media platforms that prioritize inclusivity — whether through reporting, hiring practices or community engagement, we can build a media landscape that is both representative and equitable.”
Ramsammy currently serves as the interim president of Vermont College of Fine Arts where he focuses on student accessibility to the arts and utilizing these storytelling mediums to drive positive change.
The two-time Emmy award winner will reflect on his personal encounters with media misrepresentation and techniques for mitigating this persisting issue. One of his key points includes promoting minority participation in local media. This way, the public is exposed to a wider range of perspectives and motivated to engage in social progress.
“We need philanthropy and media platforms to move at the speed of lived experience. Events like Kaleidoscope can play a critical role in this by creating immediate opportunities for underrepresented groups to share their stories in real time,” Ramsammy said. “By directly involving these communities, the event helps break through the traditional media gatekeeping that often delays or distorts their voices.”
Is curiosity the new objectivity?
The goal is that audiences will leave with the ability to consume media cautiously, seek diverse viewpoints, acknowledge their own biases, and be open to ideas and opinions that do not always fit their ideal narrative.
Richland Source CEO Jay Allred emphasized the importance of this conversation and the power of navigating media with a curious mindset.
“This Kaleidoscope is all about thinking through the other side of the story,” Allred said. “We’ll do that through an examination of the past, present and future of ethnic media, but the same lens could be used to think through any kind of narrative or news story.”
How can we evaluate news for what’s accurate, while being aware of the biases we bring to our reading of it?
“It’s way too easy these days to be a passive and unthinking news consumer. We need to instead be open and curious, while open to calling out falsehoods when they show up in our feeds,” Allred said.
The event is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors: The Richland County Foundation, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, Renaissance Performing Arts Association, and Richland Source.
For more information regarding the event and to purchase tickets, visit The Renaissance Theatre website.