Twitter came under fire this weekend for allowing the posting of some graphic photos/videos from the Allen, Texas, mall shooting. I started to notice them not long after the shooting — which killed 8 and injured 7 — hit the news.
I have to admit I’ve been on the “share them all” school on the belief that if people could see the damage done by our gun mania (aka Emmett Till’s open casket), we might act to stop the carnage, but then Nelba Marquez-Greene, who lost a daughter in the Sandy Hook school massacre, makes a good case for letting the families decide.
I agree with what Nelba Marquez-Greene said. I don't want the families and friends to be re-traumatized by the photos and public discussions about the photos. I don't think the photos would change minds. I doubt the people who cling to their guns will connect the dots if they haven't already.
Until Republican politicians stop promoting gun culture, I don't have much hope things will change. The resistance to solutions to address the issue needs to be unbundled from the Republican party platform. There may be plenty of Republican voters who are interested in better gun legislation, but they will vote Republican no matter what for other reasons.
I stand behind the decisions of the families of the injured and slain.
As for the effect of the images-- there's the one hand, where as you note, they don't seem to have motivated policy to tighten restrictions on weapons; on the other, I'm afraid they're porn for some and have a callousing effect on many. White USians tend to view Black people as an undifferentiated mass, brown people as an undifferentiated mass, poor people as an undifferentiated mass, which tends to take the punch of shock out of a mass of tormented flesh. I know that photos of dead conscripted men were (are held to have been) powerful in motivating anti-war action in the Viet Nam years, but USians tend to individualize and hyper-count military, while shrugging about the systems that make life a battlefield for Black and brown USians.
I have no problem with Emmett Till-style photos being shared. HOWEVER, that decision sould be made by the family(ies). So, save me a seat on the face, ma'am.
I'd delete it, if you want, but I laughed pretty hard at the typo. Who here hasn't done the same? Just let me know and I'll remove it, but you made a good point. That open casket was Mamie Till's choice, not that of the media.
You can leave it. I will wear my badge of shame with honor. These inadvertent typos seem to be happening with increasing frequency. *glares at fingers*
It took me awhile to discover it but if you tap or click on the three little dots to the right of reply after your comment, an edit option pops up for you to use just for that comment. You make the change, click save and you’re all set. Unless one of us managed to get a screen grab to embarrass you with later.
Those elusive three little dots have been located. (I'm used to seeing them on the side, and for whatever reason, they did not register next to like/reply.) I will continue to wear my badge of typo shame with honor. It's been out there for 24 hours. Any damage has been done.
I am certain graphic photos of those slaughtered will not make a difference. Reading the stories of first responders, like the Texas man who was among the first on the scene chills me to the bone. Such accounts also anger me as they are coupled with the resounding call for thoughts and prayers which is the ammosexual way of saying fu*k off. While the vast majority of us want to change the paradigm the armed and dangerous “proud boy” minority sporting Nazi tattoos, RWDS (Right Wing Death Squad) patches, etc. are hellbent on continuing their killing sprees. God, if you’re watching stand back and stand by!
I am firmly on the side of Not showing photos of graphic photos of deceased children who died due to violence. It causes nearly indescribable pain for their siblings, parents, grandparents and the victims who survived the horrific event. I began praying for the Marquez-Greene family the day after the shooting at the request of one of Nelba’s colleagues & continue to do so. Their son who adored his sister was one of the many students at Sandy Hook who heard and saw things that traumatized them. They need no photographs to remind them of the horror or rip at the scar tissue that eventually covered their wounded hearts. Her posts about their family’s emotional struggles over the years have been raw & gut-wrenching. If anyone needs to look at something to stir them into taking action against gun violence, she could show you her sweet, funny, talented, loving 6 year old’s dress with bullet holes and blood stains. One very disturbing sight that made me cry after the Robb Elem. School shooting was seeing some green sneakers of one of the murdered children had proudly worn. They were used to help identify her after the firearm used to kill her mangled her beautiful body so much she was hardly recognizable. The shoes were enough- God I do not want to see her bloody remains!
I’m on the fence too. Emmett Till’s mother was very brave. I would want the world to see what was done as well. I think Congress people who vote against gun laws should see the bodies up close and personal, if family members ok it. A photo is enough for many but for some it’s too easy to turn away.
Absolutely, the families should decide. And like the rest of you, I doubt the images would have any effect on the people who l think, from an emotional stand point, most need to see them. The gun owners I’ve encountered seem to break down into two categories. The responsible ones, who don’t wear their ownership on their sleeves and the other ones who can’t help but weave their ownership into every conversation, the more extreme barely containing their “blow the bastard (the other, whoever that be) away” fantasies. Fantasies, as Mary Ann pointed out, that involve dehumanizing their targets.
It’s been years since I read “Clockwork Orange” or saw the movie so I don’t know if it’s withstood the test of time but it popped into my mind reading this post and all your comments. I refreshed my memory by doing a search. When I read the plot section in this Wikipedia post about the movie, it gave me chills. With all the violence mentioned it’s easy to gloss over the political twist at the end of the summary but that may be the most chilling part. Warning, it’s difficult to read
I’m with Nelba. Seeing photos of Ana Grace still bring tears to my eyes. Any posting of photos definitely should have the families OK. What comes to mind for me in thinking about this issue is Vanessa Bryant and how she felt when she learned that photos of Kobe and Gianna’s crash were circulating.
Let the families decide. Stop traumatizing the families by asking them, let alone pressuring them. Reject the fantasy that pictures will solve the problem. Have any of the horrific images from the past ended racism? Homophobia? Antisemitism? Hate? Violence? Murder? War? What does it say if we need a picture, rather than a moral compass, to make us act?
Difficult call. I agree that permission from families to publish such photos is preferable, but not always possible (especially in a timely fashion that makes said photos particularly relevant). I think there exists no blanket policy here; these decision are best made on a case-by-case basis. For what it's worth, David Simon (he, the erstwhile reporter from the Baltimore Sun and current writer for multiple shows, including "The Wire") makes it known what he believes:
I agree with what Nelba Marquez-Greene said. I don't want the families and friends to be re-traumatized by the photos and public discussions about the photos. I don't think the photos would change minds. I doubt the people who cling to their guns will connect the dots if they haven't already.
Until Republican politicians stop promoting gun culture, I don't have much hope things will change. The resistance to solutions to address the issue needs to be unbundled from the Republican party platform. There may be plenty of Republican voters who are interested in better gun legislation, but they will vote Republican no matter what for other reasons.
I stand behind the decisions of the families of the injured and slain.
As for the effect of the images-- there's the one hand, where as you note, they don't seem to have motivated policy to tighten restrictions on weapons; on the other, I'm afraid they're porn for some and have a callousing effect on many. White USians tend to view Black people as an undifferentiated mass, brown people as an undifferentiated mass, poor people as an undifferentiated mass, which tends to take the punch of shock out of a mass of tormented flesh. I know that photos of dead conscripted men were (are held to have been) powerful in motivating anti-war action in the Viet Nam years, but USians tend to individualize and hyper-count military, while shrugging about the systems that make life a battlefield for Black and brown USians.
I have no problem with Emmett Till-style photos being shared. HOWEVER, that decision sould be made by the family(ies). So, save me a seat on the face, ma'am.
OMG!!! That was supposed to say FENCE!!!!!
I'd delete it, if you want, but I laughed pretty hard at the typo. Who here hasn't done the same? Just let me know and I'll remove it, but you made a good point. That open casket was Mamie Till's choice, not that of the media.
You can leave it. I will wear my badge of shame with honor. These inadvertent typos seem to be happening with increasing frequency. *glares at fingers*
It took me awhile to discover it but if you tap or click on the three little dots to the right of reply after your comment, an edit option pops up for you to use just for that comment. You make the change, click save and you’re all set. Unless one of us managed to get a screen grab to embarrass you with later.
Those elusive three little dots have been located. (I'm used to seeing them on the side, and for whatever reason, they did not register next to like/reply.) I will continue to wear my badge of typo shame with honor. It's been out there for 24 hours. Any damage has been done.
I am certain graphic photos of those slaughtered will not make a difference. Reading the stories of first responders, like the Texas man who was among the first on the scene chills me to the bone. Such accounts also anger me as they are coupled with the resounding call for thoughts and prayers which is the ammosexual way of saying fu*k off. While the vast majority of us want to change the paradigm the armed and dangerous “proud boy” minority sporting Nazi tattoos, RWDS (Right Wing Death Squad) patches, etc. are hellbent on continuing their killing sprees. God, if you’re watching stand back and stand by!
The body bag count grows as legislators continue to kowtow to gun owners & receive financial backing from the NRA. Their thoughts & prayers are as empty as the body bags on the Wash. DC green. https://georgetowner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/B0064771-204873-1536x1069.jpg
https://thehoya.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3.30.22_MarchForOurLivesDisplay_Twitter_@AMarch4OurLives-702x526.jpeg
I am firmly on the side of Not showing photos of graphic photos of deceased children who died due to violence. It causes nearly indescribable pain for their siblings, parents, grandparents and the victims who survived the horrific event. I began praying for the Marquez-Greene family the day after the shooting at the request of one of Nelba’s colleagues & continue to do so. Their son who adored his sister was one of the many students at Sandy Hook who heard and saw things that traumatized them. They need no photographs to remind them of the horror or rip at the scar tissue that eventually covered their wounded hearts. Her posts about their family’s emotional struggles over the years have been raw & gut-wrenching. If anyone needs to look at something to stir them into taking action against gun violence, she could show you her sweet, funny, talented, loving 6 year old’s dress with bullet holes and blood stains. One very disturbing sight that made me cry after the Robb Elem. School shooting was seeing some green sneakers of one of the murdered children had proudly worn. They were used to help identify her after the firearm used to kill her mangled her beautiful body so much she was hardly recognizable. The shoes were enough- God I do not want to see her bloody remains!
Sorry for the typos in my 1st sentence. I was crying angry tears just to think of the pain such photos cause!
No apology necessary.
I’m on the fence too. Emmett Till’s mother was very brave. I would want the world to see what was done as well. I think Congress people who vote against gun laws should see the bodies up close and personal, if family members ok it. A photo is enough for many but for some it’s too easy to turn away.
Absolutely, the families should decide. And like the rest of you, I doubt the images would have any effect on the people who l think, from an emotional stand point, most need to see them. The gun owners I’ve encountered seem to break down into two categories. The responsible ones, who don’t wear their ownership on their sleeves and the other ones who can’t help but weave their ownership into every conversation, the more extreme barely containing their “blow the bastard (the other, whoever that be) away” fantasies. Fantasies, as Mary Ann pointed out, that involve dehumanizing their targets.
It’s been years since I read “Clockwork Orange” or saw the movie so I don’t know if it’s withstood the test of time but it popped into my mind reading this post and all your comments. I refreshed my memory by doing a search. When I read the plot section in this Wikipedia post about the movie, it gave me chills. With all the violence mentioned it’s easy to gloss over the political twist at the end of the summary but that may be the most chilling part. Warning, it’s difficult to read
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Clockwork_Orange_(film)
I’m with Nelba. Seeing photos of Ana Grace still bring tears to my eyes. Any posting of photos definitely should have the families OK. What comes to mind for me in thinking about this issue is Vanessa Bryant and how she felt when she learned that photos of Kobe and Gianna’s crash were circulating.
Let the families decide. Stop traumatizing the families by asking them, let alone pressuring them. Reject the fantasy that pictures will solve the problem. Have any of the horrific images from the past ended racism? Homophobia? Antisemitism? Hate? Violence? Murder? War? What does it say if we need a picture, rather than a moral compass, to make us act?
Difficult call. I agree that permission from families to publish such photos is preferable, but not always possible (especially in a timely fashion that makes said photos particularly relevant). I think there exists no blanket policy here; these decision are best made on a case-by-case basis. For what it's worth, David Simon (he, the erstwhile reporter from the Baltimore Sun and current writer for multiple shows, including "The Wire") makes it known what he believes:
https://twitter.com/AoDespair/status/1655579308042141698?s=20
Perfect.