September/November 2016 | Volume 52, Numbers 3 & 4 ABOUT
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The Magazine of the National Communication Association September/November 2016 | Volume 52, Numbers 3 & 4 ABOUT Spectra, the magazine of the National Communication Association 2016 NCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NCA), features articles on topics that are relevant to In this issue President Communication scholars, teachers, and practitioners. Spectra is Christina S. Beck, Ohio University one means through which NCA works toward accomplishing its mission of advancing Communication as the discipline that studies First Vice President all forms, modes, media, and consequences of communication Stephen J. Hartnett, University of Colorado, Denver through humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry. MESSAGE FROM 2 Second Vice President THE PRESIDENT NCA serves its members by enabling and supporting their Ronald L. Jackson II, University of Cincinnati professional interests. Dedicated to fostering and promoting “Can We Talk?” free and ethical communication, NCA promotes the widespread Immediate Past President By Christina S. Beck, Ph.D. Carole Blair, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill appreciation of the importance of communication in public and private life, the application of competent communication to 7 Educational Policies Board Director AN INTroducTion SPOTLIGHT improve the quality of human life and relationships, and the use Scott A. Myers, West Virginia University 4 of knowledge about communication to solve human problems. COMMUNICATION AND THE Data About the Discipline: Publications Board Director PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN Communication Students The views and opinions expressed in Spectra articles are those Bonnie J. Dow, Vanderbilt University More Likely to Vote than of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Research Board Director 10 Students in STEM Majors Communication Association. SAT BILITY AND CHANGE IN THE Joseph A. Bonito, University of Arizona In Our Journals All NCA members receive a Spectra subscription. The magazine R HETORIC OF THE 2016 also is available via individual print subscription for non-members Finance Board Director PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES Public Presence at the annual cost of $50; to subscribe, send an email to Annette Madlock Gatison, By Mary E. Stuckey, Ph.D. NCA Members Travel [email protected]. Southern Connecticut State University to Beijing for Spectra (ISSN 2157-3751) is published four times a year (March, Finance Board Member International Conference May, September, and November). ©National Communication Sue DeWine, Hanover College (Emerita) Association. All rights reserved. Finance Board Member 20 CAREER “BERN THE WITCH” 46 Orlando Taylor, Fielding Graduate University OPPORTUNITIES ANd “TRUMP THAT BITCH”: Interim Executive Director LIKABILITY/LOATHABILITY Trevor Parry-Giles ON THE PRESIDENTIAL A DVERTISING in SPECTRA CAMPAIGN TRAIL For information about placing an advertisement in Spectra, SPECTRA ADVISORY BOARD By Karrin Vasby Anderson, Ph.D. 27 please visit www.natcom.org/advertising. Thomas Flynn, Slippery Rock University WHITENESS, ECONOMIC PRECARITY, AND Shanshan Lou, Appalachian State University A DVERTISING in CAREER OPPORTUNITIES PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS DID YOU KNOW Jimmie Manning, Northern Illinois University ? Deadline for March Issue: January 15 By Lisa M. Corrigan, Ph.D. Deadline for May Issue: March 15 Rodney Reynolds, California Lutheran University Nearly 100,000 new Communication graduates may Submit text-only ads online at www.natcom.org/postjob/. SPECTRA STaff Payment information must accompany ad order. be eligible to vote in this year’s Director of External Affairs and Publications Visit www.natcom.org/spectragraphicads/ for information on presidential election. And, Wendy Fernando 34 submitting graphic ads. NCA accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, college-educated young people [email protected] DEBATING THE PRESIDENCY American Express, and purchase orders. By Benjamin R. Warner, Ph.D. are much more likely to vote Questions? Contact [email protected]. Design Krystyn MacGregor and Mitchell S. McKinney, Ph.D. than their non-college educated NCA supports continued efforts to eliminate discriminatory hiring practices. peers. Communication graduates All employers are asked to identify the inclusion of sexual orientation in Advertising and Permissions 40 can make a difference! their affirmative action statements. Advertisers must provide information Aaron Tuttle POP CULTURE AND about the availability of spousal and domestic partner benefits, which will appear with all online and print advertisements. NCA is not responsible for Cover Art THE PRESIDENCY verifying the accuracy of advertisements. iStock/ChrisGorgio By Trevor Parry-Giles, Ph.D. September/November 2016 National Communication Association 1 MessaGE froM THE PRESIDENT How can we encourage thoughtful, respectful, and compassionate participation in online exchanges, especially regarding “Can We Talk?” politics, politicians and their families, serious social problems, and difficult situations? By Christina S. Beck, Ph.D. n the morning after Chelsea Clinton critiques, accompanied by her signature question, mom and take away her kids.” “How could someone Following Melania Trump’s speech at the introduced her mother at the Democratic “Can we talk?” A talented comedian, Rivers’ rants seriously not know about alligators in Florida?” Republican National Convention, posts flooded National Convention, my daughter, Brittany, were filled with snide comments about public figures. As a mom, I’ve cringed at the swift rush to self- social media, charging that she had plagiarized parts posted a generous message on Facebook: Audiences roared with laughter at Rivers’ willingness righteous judgment about the tragedies involving children, of her speech. Fair enough. Yet, I was stunned to read O to boldly trash a queen’s dress as “tacky” or “frumpy,” remembering the times that I’ve been momentarily comments such as “We all know that she’s stupid.” Do Watching the Democratic National Convention and for example—something that a polite person might distracted or struggled to entertain a bored toddler. But we? Why did this post need to sink the conversation seeing Chelsea Clinton speak about her mom is such think but never come out and say… unless on the for the grace of God, I could have been the mom at the from a legitimate concern about an ethical issue to a great reminder to all of us with strong moms, who campaign trail or through social media. Cincinnati Zoo or the Grand Floridian. In a blink of an a personal attack on the level of intelligence of the always encourage us to do better, run after our dreams, Obviously, jabs during campaign speeches and eye, one misstep could have launched me into a social media candidate’s wife? Can we talk, not in ways that tear and be a light in the world, to thank them for the insults in political ads aren’t new, and we certainly firestorm, facing an onslaught of vicious attacks on me, as others down, but in ways that move all of us forward? amazing way they raised us and demonstrated through should welcome vigorous debate about important issues a parent and a person, by others who don’t know me at all. How we talk (in general, but particularly about the their actions that we could be anything we wanted and the viability of ideas. However, the prevalent tenor The parents in Cincinnati and Orlando were on fun summer political process) matters. The current climate could to be! They grew up in a time when women were of some candidate attacks, coupled with just plain mean outings with their respective children, never envisioning discourage good candidates from putting themselves and limited, but fought hard for equality through their social media interactions among “Facebook friends,” how their trips would end or that their situations would their families in the line of online fire, and it distracts actions and pursuits, and because of their work, we “Twitter followers,” etc., does not seem productive. In became fodder for millions who felt compelled to us from useful conversations about important issues. so often take for granted the rights they won for us… fact, the culture of social media has become increasingly contribute to the public shaming on Facebook. Moreover, such discourse sets a dangerous precedent about Of course, I immediately “liked” Brittany’s post, but toxic for those who seek (or stumble into) the glare Unlike those otherwise private citizens, Hillary how to engage in civic discussions for those who are just then one of her Facebook friends commented “your mom, of public spotlights. Unlike Rivers’ stand-up routines, Clinton and Donald Trump did choose to run for office, beginning to interact about candidates and policies. To not hers,” and another replied that “I’d vote for your mom, such exchanges don’t strike me as funny. become public figures, and open themselves and their borrow from a recent Hillary Clinton ad, “Our children but not crooked Hillary.” Although I am honored to serve This past summer has been a sad season of online families to scrutiny by the media, fellow candidates, and are watching. What example will we set for them?” as NCA President, I have no intentions of ever launching divisiveness and finger-pointing, particularly in response the general public. When I read reactions to my daughter’s As Communication scholars, how can we a career in politics, much less running for President of the to politicians and tragic events… “How could someone Facebook post, my heart ached for Chelsea Clinton. No, encourage thoughtful, respectful, and