Diviney: Sensational yellow journalism and war

Brian Thompson reported to Historic City News that associate professor of Liberal Studies, Dr. John Diviney, would present a program on “yellow journalism” during the Spanish-American War at Flagler College on October 11, 2011.

The Flagler College Community Lecture Series convenes at 10:00 a.m. in the Flagler Room at Flagler College, located at 74 King Street in St. Augustine. Reservations are required as space is limited. The lecture will last approximately one hour; followed by a coffee and pastry reception. Call (904) 819-6282 for reservations.

“Yellow journalism was pervasive in the United States in the years preceding the war,” said Diviney. “Hearst and Pulitzer both owned major newspapers in New York, and they were not averse to sensationalism.”

Widely published in academic and literary journals, Diviney teaches courses in Spanish and Hispanic literature, Latin American Studies and Latin American History.

“I’m looking at this culture and how it played into racial prejudices against blacks and Hispanics,” Diviney said. “These prejudices in large part fed the decision to go to war. The consequences on Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines were, of course, tremendous.”

The Flagler College Community Lecture Series was established in 2007 and offers educational and cultural opportunities to the St. Augustine community. Topics are provided by local experts and Flagler faculty. Tickets are $5 per person for a single lecture, or $15 for the semester. Active military personnel may attend at no charge.

Diviney is a retired United States Army Major. He has completed training missions in Panama, Colombia, Liberia and Buenos Aires. A decorated army veteran, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.