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Reflection #13
- Based on this week's readings as well as our earlier review of the media coverage of Columbine specifically (Chapter 3), what do you see as the benefits of how these events are covered, both as a hard news story and as a form of entertainment (popular culture coverage)? What are the consequences?
- I do think that the benefits of how the events are covered are that it brings awareness to the situation. It also gives people the ability to see what the people who committed the shooting look like. With coverage comes people being able to see the affects on the people who went through it. It also opens the door for people to be able to talk to the victims and get their story. The consequences range through all of the things we've read in class. One main consequence is that it gives the shooters attention that they want and promotes the idea that they have to one up each other. The consequences are ones that are more likely to cause problems for people because when people see the shooters on TV some people look up to them and others despise they it is all based on how the person thinks.
- How might the way in which mass shooters, including the Columbine killers, have been portrayed in popular culture provided the public with an incorrect idea of what these individuals look like? What are the consequences of such profiles?
- In pop culture mass shootings although aren't romanticized they are seen a lot. They are featured in many teenage dramas and shows. In shows like the Fosters or American Horror Story they have characters commit mass shooting normally because they have a mental illness. With songs like Pumped Up Kicks people are always getting information on school shootings without even realizing it. In pop-culture there is always a reason behind why someone commits a school shooting in shows and movies it always used as a plot device. I think because of this some people get a skewed view of how mass shootings happen and they think that there is always a reason behind it.
Great blog post! I think covering such hard topics like shootings in pop culture and entertainment can be a really successful way to reach different audiences (like younger generations) and raise more awareness on such issues while hopefully portraying them more accurately than the news media. I also agree that placing a lot of focus on the shooters and their plans can allow others to want to look up to them and maybe even copy them. I think pop culture always focuses on the reasoning behind shootings because that is often what people search so hard for when one occurs. Good thoughts overall!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I definitely agree that having the events be covered brings awareness to the situation. It helps to reach different audiences. For instance, the news would reach the more adult audience and television shows and movies will most likely reach the younger generation. But producers in television and movies have to be very careful with how they portray these situations because they should be accurate. There are also some consequences to this also. One is copycat killers, so many people see these events happening in real life and on television. This results in people wanting to outdo each other. Another part of your post I agree with is that the public is given the wrong profile of mass shooters because of how they are portrayed in popular culture. In television, they show the shooter as being an outcast or a loner. But in reality, shooters can be anyone. Pop culture will always focus on the reasons behind shooters because no one knows why they happen. It is one of the biggest questions when it comes to mass shootings.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great blog post! I agree that the news has the ability to bring awareness to an ongoing situation. If there is an active shooter, then the news would be able to alert people to stay out of that particular area. If the the offender had fled the scene then the news could also be a good tool to alert the community what the attacker looks like. I also agree with you that there are some serious consequences with the amount of attention these offenders get in the news and entertainment industry as well. By giving offender's of these crimes large amount of attention, this may become a motivation for other's to commit these crimes.
ReplyDelete"I think because of this some people get a skewed view of how mass shootings happen and they think that there is always a reason behind it." I appreciate the significance of this line. Pop culture tends to typecast the depressed loner as the school shooter. I can tell you are well aware, only a small select group of people actually pose a legitimate threat and would plan out and intend to commit such a heinous act. The depressed kid whose has a rough family life back at home is not the problem. Great post!
ReplyDelete