Digital Commons Network^™

Is Poverty Colorblind? Implications Of Imagery Used By International Nongovernmental Organizations In The United States, Abhishek Bhati

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs) use images of the beneficiaries in their fundraising campaigns when soliciting donations. Often these images are negative and stereotype poor as victims and helpless. However, there is little empirical research to understand if such representation leads to stereotyping of the poor and subsequently contributes to racial biases. This paper aims at establishing this empirical link by answering the research question: Does the representation of beneficiaries by INGOs lead to stereotyping and racial biases. The study draws on data analysis of images from the 32 largest INGOs in the United States and experimental survey design to investigate …