On the Media: "Breaking the Myth" – A Detailed Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: On the Media
• Host/Author: WNYC Studios
• Episode: Breaking the Myth
• Release Date: January 8, 2021

Hosts: Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield delve into the tumultuous events surrounding the Capitol riot, the media's portrayal of the incident, and the unsettling parallels between historical and contemporary ideologies. The episode features insightful discussions with historian Caroline Janney and Kimberly Williams Crenshaw from the African American Policy Forum.

1. Media Portrayal of the Capitol Riot

The episode opens with a heated debate on the appropriate terminology to describe the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot participants. Bob Garfield expresses frustration with the media's use of terms like "protesters," advocating for labels such as "rioters" or "mobsters."

• Bob Garfield (00:01): "Protesters, rioters, domestic terrorists, insurrectionists. I want to call them rioters or mobsters."

Brooke Gladstone highlights the media's struggle to encapsulate the gravity of the events witnessed at the Capitol:

• Brooke Gladstone (00:08): "As cable news hosts watched the chaos in the Capitol, they struggled to describe what they saw."

Key Points:

• Terminology Matters: The choice of words influences public perception. Terms like "insurrectionists" and "domestic terrorists" carry different connotations compared to "protesters."

• Media Responsibility: Accurate labeling is crucial for accountability and preventing the normalization of such violent actions.

2. Government Response and Accountability

The hosts discuss the apparent failures within governmental structures during the Capitol breach, pointing to resignations and lack of preparedness.

• Brooke Gladstone (05:14): "We know there's no evidence pointing to antifa. We know, too, that much of the Capitol police were overwhelmed by the speed of the attack and the distribution of the breach points."

Key Points:

• Coordination and Training: Evidence suggests some level of planning and coordination among the rioters.

• Law Enforcement: The Capitol Police were unprepared for the swift and widespread nature of the attack, leading to significant breaches.

• Government Accountability: Resignations of key officials highlight systemic failures and potential incompetence or worse.

3. Historical Parallels: The Lost Cause and Trumpian Mythology

A significant portion of the episode draws parallels between the Lost Cause mythology of the post-Civil War South and contemporary narratives propagated by Trump and his supporters.

Guest: Caroline Janney, Historian of the Civil War at the University of Virginia

Key Discussion Points:

• Evolution of the Lost Cause:

  • Caroline Janney (10:55): "We see the memoirs, the diaries that are being published by former Confederates explaining and justifying the slave-holding South."

  • Transformation Over Time: From beatifying fallen Confederates to embedding myths in education and popular culture, the Lost Cause narrative has been meticulously crafted to portray the South's cause as just and noble.

• Modern-Day Comparisons:

  • Bob Garfield (15:24): "The cause of voter fraud that it was an illegitimate victory is not unlike... Confederate narratives."

  • Victimization and Martyrdom: Both historical Confederate sympathizers and modern Trump supporters frame themselves as victims of a rigged system, fostering a sense of entitlement and resentment.

• White Supremacy:

  • Caroline Janney (20:06): "White supremacy doesn't just come from the Confederacy. America as a whole was built on a belief in white supremacy."

  • Broader Context: While the Lost Cause was region-specific, white supremacy permeates national ideology, making direct comparisons complex but necessary for understanding current dynamics.

• Reconciliation Attempts:

  • Kimberly Williams Crenshaw (26:10): "No more than I thought that a Kumbaya moment would have been the solution to the Confederacy firing on Fort Sumter."

  • Non-Negotiable Rights: Certain democratic principles cannot be compromised, and attempts at superficial reconciliation risk ignoring deep-seated issues like white supremacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Caroline Janney (12:50): "We see this certainly in 'Birth of a Nation'... 'Gone with the Wind,' which are... putting the mythology of the Confederacy to a different use."

• Kimberly Williams Crenshaw (28:22): "Are they willing to repudiate and no longer use this dangerous weapon in politics? I don't see that happening right now."

4. The Role of Music and Cultural Narratives

The episode transitions to an analysis of the song "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" by The Band, exploring its interpretations and evolving meanings over time.

Guests:

• Caroline Janney
• Early James, a 27-year-old Alabama-born country musician

Key Discussion Points:

• Original Intent vs. Modern Perception:

  • Brooke Gladstone (34:11): "On paper these verses read as if lifting from the Lost Cause playbook... But the song is not what it seems."

  • Historical Context: Written in 1960, the song was intended as a nostalgic reflection of the Civil War era, not as a neo-Confederate anthem.

• Cultural Reappropriation:

  • Early James (33:19): "I do want to say before we start the song, it's kind of a scary song to play in today's political climate."

  • Rewriting Lyrics: In response to contemporary racial tensions, Early James altered the lyrics to reflect modern social justice movements, challenging the song's perceived associations with the Lost Cause.

• Complex Narratives in Music:

  • Caroline Janney (45:00): "I don't think it's a neo Confederate song at all... there's this very complex negotiation between audience and composer."

  • Multiple Interpretations: Music can transcend its original context, allowing for varied and sometimes conflicting interpretations based on societal changes.

Notable Quotes:

• Early James (35:56): "He sang tonight we tried Old Dixie down."

• Caroline Janney (44:05): "They are members of the family. They were not chattel."

5. Moving Forward: Reconciliation vs. Accountability

The conversation concludes with a focus on the path forward in healing national divisions without compromising democratic values.

• Kimberly Williams Crenshaw (26:10): "You cannot negotiate with white supremacy. That white supremacy has got to be dealt with directly, without excuse, without compromise."

• Bob Garfield (28:22): "Mitch McConnell... another possibility is that it wasn't a failed insurrection, that it will live on as a symbol of patriotic heroism."

Key Points:

• Reckoning with the Past: Acknowledging and addressing the roots of white supremacy is essential for genuine reconciliation.

• Political Responsibility: Leaders must repudiate harmful narratives and avoid enabling divisive rhetoric to prevent future insurrections.

• Hope for Change: While reconciliation efforts like those proposed by President Biden aim to unite, they must be coupled with firm actions against systemic injustices to be effective.

Conclusion

"Breaking the Myth" offers a profound exploration of the intersections between historical narratives and contemporary political movements. By dissecting media portrayals, drawing parallels with the Lost Cause ideology, and examining cultural artifacts like music, hosts Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the complexities underlying recent national events. Through expert insights and critical analysis, the episode underscores the importance of accurate representation, accountability, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles in navigating and healing societal divisions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Bob Garfield (00:01): "Protesters, rioters, domestic terrorists, insurrectionists. I want to call them rioters or mobsters."

• Caroline Janney (10:55): "We see the memoirs, the diaries that are being published by former Confederates explaining and justifying the slave-holding South."

• Kimberly Williams Crenshaw (26:10): "You cannot negotiate with white supremacy. That white supremacy has got to be dealt with directly, without excuse, without compromise."

• Early James (35:56): "He sang tonight we tried Old Dixie down."

• Bob Garfield (28:22): "Mitch McConnell... another possibility is that it wasn't a failed insurrection, that it will live on as a symbol of patriotic heroism."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the "Breaking the Myth" episode of On the Media, offering a clear and engaging overview for those who have yet to listen.