-
Introduction
In this project, I will explore the tapestry of monsters in both the past and the present day. I will demonstrate the change in America's attitude towards safety over the years through a tapestry of pictures, article clippings, reports, etc. in order to show how our world has changed. I can remember my mom telling me stories of her out with her friends for days on end, all the while having no communication with her parents. These days, that is unheard of unless someone goes missing. -
Introduction (Pt. 2)
Through this dramatic timeline, the audience will see murders, kidnappers, and attacks on our country. These defining moments are in my eyes why our country is the way we are today. Whether its all the trackers that parents can have on their kids, TSA lines, or just being taught at a young age the saying "stranger danger" all are contributed from these defining moments that are illustrated below. -
Introduction (Pt. 3)
Throughout these events, various first accounts were put out about what happened. The media in that day always had a purpose and a goal about how they feel the audience should react. Each primary source that we go through, you will see that the media uses certain colors, styles, and sometimes even fonts to try and create a feeling of what they want in the audience. The media will shed light on certain things that would not have prior been known, or hide things they don't want getting out. -
Introduction (Pt. 4)
Because of how the media tries to influence, people's opinions and attitudes change over time. We will explore how the media has been able to manipulate peoples perception of safety and create a desire for change. As we progress through the years, you will see how the overall message in each event covering shifts the communities focus onto how we should prepare for the future and for our safety. Because of this, our attempts at safety have drastically changed from the first event and now. -
Shooting at UC Fullerton
On July 12, 1976, a janitor entered the school with a 22-Caliber Rifle, killing 7 people and injuring another 2. This is one of the biggest school shootings of the time and made a big deal in the media. By putting this event with lots of words and no pictures makes it seem like the media didn't want the audience to notice. But, the size and number count show that the newspaper article was trying to get peoples attention and go into detail in order to make people open their eyes to these problems -
Terrorist Attack on the US
On this day, three buildings in Washington DC were seized by a Group of Hanafi Muslims, taking around 150 hostages captive. This lasted two days with hostages being released and a journalist and an officer killed. The picture shown is a group of armed officers standing outside of one of the buildings with the hostages inside. The media uses this picture to instill a feel of belief in Americas security and that we can handle situations such as these, making it seem like this was a one time event. -
John Wayne Gacy
John Wayne Gacy, one of the most notable serial killers in the US and in the world. Gacy is known for 33 murders of young men. He is one of the first widely known killers. The article that posted about Gacy was once again to create awareness and worry in parents and families. But using the normal picture of Gacy (rather than a clown one) the media is showing how an average joe could be a monster in society. The media wants to create a worry in the public, which contributes to how we act now. -
Summary / Overview
As we have seen through the 3 events, and more specifically how the media has reported them, there was a push from the media to create an awareness of these current day monsters, along with spark a change in America. More events such as 9/11, more school shootings, and kidnappings have contributed to the mass change that America has undergone. It is clear that during this time period, the media was using any rhetorical technique to make families everywhere get ready for a change, which they did. -
Bibliography
Special, Robert Lindsey. “Seven Killed, Two Injured as Guhman Sprays Shots at College in California.” The New York Times, July 13, 1976. https://www.nytimes.com/1976/07/13/archives/seven-killed-two-injured-as-gunman-sprays-shots-at-college-in.html.
“Ex-WTOP Anchor Remembers 1977 Terrorist Siege in DC.” WTOP News, March 10, 2017. https://wtop.com/dc/2017/03/one-first-acts-serious-domestic-terrorism-1977/. -
Bibliography
“Dec 23, 1978, Page 1 - Chicago Tribune at Newspapers.Com.” Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s - Newspapers.com. Accessed March 28, 2024. https://www.newspapers.com/image/386643314/?fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjM4NjY0MzMxNCwiaWF0IjoxNzExNjc1NzYyLCJleHAiOjE3MTE3NjIxNjJ9.hivoCvMmPzMz92FXtZ9ZTXMzbLj4p-fnvavSUvjZ9Ek.