in my opinion

The Media are Missing the Point

By Alyssa Goldberg

What do singing grandmothers and protestors in handcuffs have in common? Both are working to support world peace, but you might not realize it from the way they appear in the press. Media coverage of peace activism is dominated by attention grabbing headlines about arrests, or pictures of outlandishly dressed protestors. While organizations work tirelessly for global peace, these immaterial components of peace activism are what end up in the newspaper and on television.

Washington State is home to a particular peace organization that receives more attention for its unique members than the actual work they do. The “Seattle Raging Grannies” are known for wearing ridiculous hats and singing out of tune to audiences across the state. At first, this group of grandmothers might seem to be a joke, but the issues they sing about are very serious. Although unmentioned in most coverage, these women call for change in the areas of economic oppression, racial inequality, and human rights.

Arrests and confrontations with police are another way that peace groups are often depicted in the front pages. A reporter may detail every arrest and law broken at a protest without ever discussing the circumstances surrounding the event or the motivations of the activists. There are thousands of peace groups across the country that work toward worldwide peace and nonviolence, but these admirable ambitions alone are not enough for the media; they look for stories that will turn heads and make them money.  Perhaps there is more to these peace activists than their costumes and lawbreaking. While the American public gawks over the latest scandal in the headlines, international conflicts and wars continue to rage.  Crazy costumes and violent arrests may attract readers, but are these really the aspects of the peace movement that we should be paying attention to?