Community, Housing, and Crime: Framing the News Coverage of Lawrence Heights and Rexdale

Why is there less media coverage or public outcry when Black or racialized people lose their lives in Lawrence Heights and Rexdale? My dissertation started with this simple question. By studying the intersection of media, housing, community and crime, my dissertation sheds light on how mainstream and independent new sources contribute to stereotypes and metaphors that influence the public perception of Lawrence Heights and Rexdale. Starting in 1960, ending in 2020, I collected news from the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail and Share in the three categories of housing, crime, community. I used 9 variables to determine what type of news appeared in a higher frequency to show how independent, Black news media has told a more nuanced story. My research found there is work to do in countering the high frequency of crime stories in the mainstream news, and the presence of independent publications like Share are vital in presenting counternarratives that give a voice to the community. As well as representing how residents, community groups and activists have come and are coming together to reclaim their right to the city.