Dixon Carter Lee
Headliner
- Joined
- Nov 22, 1999
- Posts
- 48,682
Perspective.
I. From Families of September 11, sent to me at the broadcast organization I manage (grammatical errors are hers):
Dear ________,
I am writing to you on behalf of the over 1,200 members in our group, Families of September 11. Each individual in our group has suffering the never-ending shock and horror of having a loved one murdered on national television. Almost a year later, it is still difficult for each and every one of us to deal with the enduring hardships that this trauma ensues. Many ask how they can ease our suffering, and that of a grieving nation. I am writing to let you know how you to help in a simple, yet very important way.
On September 11, 2001, my mother, Judy ________, along with 3,000 other innocent victims, was murdered in the worst terrorist attack our nation has ever seen. Since that day, the citizens of our grieving nation have been inundated with repeated airings on national television of the final moments for so many of those victims. Since my mom's murder, her death has been broadcast on countless television stations. Each time they show her plane hit the World Trade Center, I have to hide, cover my eyes, or quickly change the channel. I cannot watch my mother die, and every time I watch television I sit ready, in a state of preparedness, in case a news broadcast, news journal, or other program decides to air the horror of her final moments. This is true for so many of the families who were directly affected, as well as for the general public, expecially children, who are traumatized by the repeated airings of murder and mayhem.
How can you help?
Please take the voluntary step of providing verbal warnings each time you show planes crashing into buildings, people jumping from buildings or building collapsing onto themselves. Please show that you care enough about the people personally affected by the attacks, as well as care for all Americans, by allowing them to protect themselves against such harmful images. There is ample medical evidence that demonstrates how harmful these images are to children and families.
To quote Dr. Elana Newman, Director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, now working at Ground Zero in New York City, “
Evidence shows that victims and survivors of traumatic events struggle with profound feelings of helplessness both at the time of the event (e.g., Brewin, Andrews, & Rose, 2000) and after the event (e.g., Roth and Newman, 1992). This helplessness comes from experiencing a lack of control and predictability during the event(s) and after the event(s). Reminders that occur without warning are particularly troublesome because they contribute to a sense of helplessness, emotional imbalance and lack of control. In the face of these events, opportunities to anticipate and exercise choice and control about with regard to exposure to potential triggers can aid them in regaining a sense of agency and control over their lives.
As a family member of someone who was murdered on September 11, and someone who wants to be able to learn from your fine programming, I implore you to acknowledge that you will begin using verbal or written warnings before you show any real-life graphic material on your program. It clearly demonstrates, in a tangible manner, the compassion and awareness of you and your network for people who have lost so much already.
We look forward to receiving acknowlegment of your agreement to use warnings. You can call ___________ or e-mail me at ____________.
With thanks for your help and compassion,
Carie ____________
Daughter, Judy _____________
President, Families of September 11
http://familiesofseptember11.org/home.asp
_________________________________________________
II. Commentary written by REDWAVE, two days after the Trade Center collapsed.
FUCK THE NOISE
"Man, when I saw that jet slam into that huge building on TV-- that was the coolest thing I've seen since 1992.
Can we have that every day now?
Talk about symbolism, man--
the World Trade Center reduced to rubble,
the Pentagon blown wide open--
brilliant!
Oppressed masses jubilated all over the world"
What did you expect?
This is nothing but chickens coming home to roost
No matter how rich you are,
No matter how powerful you are,
You cannot oppress and brutalize billions of people around the world without someone, somewhere, sometime striking back
Now you know how your victims feel
America, look at yourself first before lashing out at others
I. From Families of September 11, sent to me at the broadcast organization I manage (grammatical errors are hers):
Dear ________,
I am writing to you on behalf of the over 1,200 members in our group, Families of September 11. Each individual in our group has suffering the never-ending shock and horror of having a loved one murdered on national television. Almost a year later, it is still difficult for each and every one of us to deal with the enduring hardships that this trauma ensues. Many ask how they can ease our suffering, and that of a grieving nation. I am writing to let you know how you to help in a simple, yet very important way.
On September 11, 2001, my mother, Judy ________, along with 3,000 other innocent victims, was murdered in the worst terrorist attack our nation has ever seen. Since that day, the citizens of our grieving nation have been inundated with repeated airings on national television of the final moments for so many of those victims. Since my mom's murder, her death has been broadcast on countless television stations. Each time they show her plane hit the World Trade Center, I have to hide, cover my eyes, or quickly change the channel. I cannot watch my mother die, and every time I watch television I sit ready, in a state of preparedness, in case a news broadcast, news journal, or other program decides to air the horror of her final moments. This is true for so many of the families who were directly affected, as well as for the general public, expecially children, who are traumatized by the repeated airings of murder and mayhem.
How can you help?
Please take the voluntary step of providing verbal warnings each time you show planes crashing into buildings, people jumping from buildings or building collapsing onto themselves. Please show that you care enough about the people personally affected by the attacks, as well as care for all Americans, by allowing them to protect themselves against such harmful images. There is ample medical evidence that demonstrates how harmful these images are to children and families.
To quote Dr. Elana Newman, Director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, now working at Ground Zero in New York City, “
Evidence shows that victims and survivors of traumatic events struggle with profound feelings of helplessness both at the time of the event (e.g., Brewin, Andrews, & Rose, 2000) and after the event (e.g., Roth and Newman, 1992). This helplessness comes from experiencing a lack of control and predictability during the event(s) and after the event(s). Reminders that occur without warning are particularly troublesome because they contribute to a sense of helplessness, emotional imbalance and lack of control. In the face of these events, opportunities to anticipate and exercise choice and control about with regard to exposure to potential triggers can aid them in regaining a sense of agency and control over their lives.
As a family member of someone who was murdered on September 11, and someone who wants to be able to learn from your fine programming, I implore you to acknowledge that you will begin using verbal or written warnings before you show any real-life graphic material on your program. It clearly demonstrates, in a tangible manner, the compassion and awareness of you and your network for people who have lost so much already.
We look forward to receiving acknowlegment of your agreement to use warnings. You can call ___________ or e-mail me at ____________.
With thanks for your help and compassion,
Carie ____________
Daughter, Judy _____________
President, Families of September 11
http://familiesofseptember11.org/home.asp
_________________________________________________
II. Commentary written by REDWAVE, two days after the Trade Center collapsed.
FUCK THE NOISE
"Man, when I saw that jet slam into that huge building on TV-- that was the coolest thing I've seen since 1992.
Can we have that every day now?
Talk about symbolism, man--
the World Trade Center reduced to rubble,
the Pentagon blown wide open--
brilliant!
Oppressed masses jubilated all over the world"
What did you expect?
This is nothing but chickens coming home to roost
No matter how rich you are,
No matter how powerful you are,
You cannot oppress and brutalize billions of people around the world without someone, somewhere, sometime striking back
Now you know how your victims feel
America, look at yourself first before lashing out at others
