Megann Horstead
Content Producer
In examining current event topics of race, gender and equality in the news, some have speculated whether a new arch nemesis has been born.
Problem: A young black male was shot and found dead in Hershey, Penn., recently. Person of interest: unknown. Shooter’s motive: unknown.
In lieu of violence arising in the news, media critics analyzed and discussed their views. While some looked to place blame on individuals, others searched for deeper meaning in the social context.
A young black male was reportedly seen walking through a gated community, according to a witness. “He wore a hoodie and was seen eating grape Skittles while tossing the other flavors upon the ground.”
Although no further details are known, coroners said that the victim was named Martin Von Tray.
A possible suspect was identified and interrogated soon after. But when the proposed suspect was released, some became skeptical. “The world as people knew it had changed and leaves a big question,” the victim’s mother said.
Media analyst Steven Smith said, “If a new evil foe exists outside of comic books and film, who are they and what do we owe them?
Did the perpetrator have a craving for Von Tray’s purple Skittles, perhaps?”
Last summer’s shooting of Marty Mars of nearby Jones County stirred a number of reactions and captured a lot of attention too. Smith said some speculated that Mars’ death signified a change in the established order.
Jones County is highly populated by African Americans and like some areas largely inhabited by minorities, increased poverty and crime is evident.
When a community lockdown was ordered after dusk in Jones County recently, a disturbance took to the streets. According to police reports, people were being jumped. Men thrashed about and beat on their chest like gorillas and explosives were launched.
Smith said “If poverty leads to crime and crime leads to poverty, is it logical to assume that African Americans, representing the low-income demographic, have become the root of the evil? Does this mean the black kid: the 21st century villain has been born?”
If the nation’s security is at stake as a result of African Americans and social problems, how do we reverse the trend? Or is humanity doomed?
With heightened attention placed upon the nation’s security, the life of the African American was under a microscope said Smith.
Are African Americans and their swagger driving some to kill? Could an African American’s ability to pull a crossover on the basketball court incite violence?
But others criticize this view and wonder what’s at the root of this problem. “Why can’t people just get along?” asked community organizer, Christoper Michaels.
In Chicago, also known by some as “Chiraq,” the sound of gun fire is nothing new during summer months.
When shootings are featured in the news, Americans sometimes grow numb to seeing and hearing about violence.
But everything changed when Von Tray was shot and killed.
Much like Von Tray, the whole world watched the case of Mars unfold across the media last summer said Michaels.
When an armed officer shot and killed Mars, Michaels speculated whether his race played a role in the sequence of the events.
Mars was walking the streets when an armed cop started following him. Realizing that he was not alone, Mars turned around only to be shot by Zimmerman.
Zimmerman would be interrogated and motives uncovered as time passed. In the end, he would be found not guilty and charges dropped, according to local police.
Michaels said fear and anger would surface among African Americans who felt race played a significant role in the case. Although these feelings would level off with time, they would resurface with Von Tray’s death.
Smith said whether Von Tray or Mars’ shootings were properly justified is debatable. The question remains: How do people make sense of what happened moving forward?
Just like a modern day mystery pits hero against foe, stereotypes have a tendency to cloud the expectations we hold of others.
The kid that sits behind you in class might seem odd, but is it fair to call him a nerd? If you noticed a teenage girl eating her lunch in a bathroom stall, is it safe to say she’s a monster with a vendetta to kill? In general, the more we strive to challenge stereotypes and work as one, the more at peace we will be.
