Since the middle of February, the Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute has been offering a cross-lecture series at Fresno State.

On Thursday, Kelley Campos McCoy, Ph.D., discussed how it is easy to blame the media when it comes to issues relating race and gender, in an interactive lecture titled, “News Coverage as it Relates to Raceâ€Â.

She explained that the lecture was concerning “journalists and race, not journalism and race.â€Â

“What is race?â€Â McCoy asked.

The audience was silent.

Through examples from the media, McCoy showed how the media defines, constructs and changes the meaning of race, partly of media coverage of minorities.

Biased coverage lead to the discussion of objectivity in journalism — “or is there objectivity in journalism?â€Â McCoy asked.

McCoy created an environment where the audience was not afraid to voice their opinions and learn from one another, even though the subject of race is a sensitive topic.

The lectures, which are free and open to public, invited students, faculty and staff to indulge themselves into issues that are affected across all cultures.

The Central Valley Heritage Institute prides their work on the celebration of cultural heritage, diversity and contributions of people in the Valley. It also supports a safe environment, where people can become culturally competent and not be afraid to discuss difficult or controversial issues.

On May 8, Alex Espinosa, Ph.D., will speak on “How Culture Influenced Fiction Writing, which is the last lecture of the series in the University Center, room 202.