Publicizing, Politicizing, and Neutralizing Homelessness

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Abstract
Comparing newspaper comic strips to editorial cartoons can uncover differences between public opinion manifested in popular culture and views held by local and national power groups. This study analyzes 231 comic strips and 126 editorial cartoons featuring homelessness published in two major San Francisco newspapers from April 1, 1989, to March 31, 1992. Using theoretical categories based on Peter Marcuse's policy responses to homelessness (publicizing, politicizing, and neutralizing), the authors found that 57% of comic strips and 30% of editorial cartoons are neutralizing, either by using the homeless as “props” for other stories or issues or by belittling their plight. All but one of the strips are nationally syndicated. Thus these data are probably representative of U.S. public opinion; however, editorial cartoons are selected by newspaper editors and may not be generalizable to other communities.