# 32. Tragedy

Oh course everyone in the US that watches the news has one time or another heard of the events in Florida about the tragic death of Trayvon Martin. It seems like people all over the country have spoken out to voice their opinion on the matter. I think my favorite sign I’ve seen so far regarding the incident said “It’s called a neighborhood watch; you don’t use a gun to watch”. The conclusion I struggle with that it doesn’t make since to me is that “people use violence to prevent violence and then in the event of that violent others protest violence where the protest erupt into violent acts….. “

Zimmerman was “watching” the neighborhood to help prevent violence and vandalism.

Zimmerman consciously resorted to violence in his attempt to prevent violence and vandalism.

In return people protested that the violence and the lack of police involvement and their ability to excuse the violence.

And eventually the protests turn into riots and lead to other violence and vandalism.

Crazy…..

 I actually started on this artwork a few weeks ago before the police finally decided to do the right thing and arrest George Zimmerman. However, I can’t help but wonder if this would have happened (the arrest) if the mass media had not gotten involved. This is not the first time a child wrongfully died for irrational reasons and the local police did little to help.  Sadly, I doubt it is the last. I’m actually not a big fan of the mass media. It’s so easy for them to twist different stories to make you only see it from the perspective they want you to. But, you have to remember there is always two sides to every story.

If you are interested and have time there is an interesting documentary called Outfoxed by Robert Greenwald that addresses this subject using the events of the 2004 presidential campaign Bush vs Karry and how the Fox News Network that claims to be “fair and balance” covered the presidential elections yet the coverage shows they do favor right wing views. Yet if there is one right wing network claiming unbiased opinions which are contradictory you can count on it that there is another network criticizing networks like Fox News when they are doing the same thing in favor of a liberal perspective.

You can watch "Outfoxed" it by going to this link http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6737097743434902428#

While I’m on a rant about hot topics, media, and mass information to the public…  I know the large sparks about the Kony 2012 video, (activism, or scam whatever you have decided to call it) has basically died down. I think it also taught us not to take everything at face value. What I think is truly sad about the viral video is that people particularly educated college students jumped on the band wagon without question. I’m sorry to say that what is in the video is not something new and it does not just happen in Sudan either. Additionally, I think involving US troops into the mix is one of the worst things you can do! I recently read an interesting research articles such as “Barracks and Brothels” by Sarah Mendelson which scientifically examined the military and peace keeping involvements during and after the Baulkin War. The research showed that the military/PKO’s (Peace Keeping Operations) actually supported and in some circumstances ran human trafficking organizations and forced prostitution rings. Also important to note is the Korean Comfort Women forced into brothels by the Japanese in WWII (and yes the US also used their “services”). I won’t even go into the shit that’s been going on in Iraq (suggested reading "Nimo's War, Emma's War" by Cynthia Enloe.) There are other ways to stand against violence and wrong doing. Personally, I have to go back to my original idea that ending violence with violence is not the right way to go. “Peace is a process not an Event”

There’s actually another documentary called “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” that I think is extremely powerful about the reality and tragedy that goes on in Africa. This particular video is about the wars in Liberia, and eventual take down of the dictator Charles Taylor. How did they country accomplish this you ask? Basically, the women of the country came together and spoke out and said “We are tired of war! We are tired of our children being killed! We are tired of living in fear!” and they were able to accomplish the unbelievable. The women of Liberia were able to remove Taylor from rule and indict him for war crimes without even touching a gun. It’s really sad but also really inspirational you should watch it!

The documentary was actually sponsored by PBS you can watch “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” by going herehttp://video.pbs.org/video/2155873888