A few 9/11 and media related thoughts. Somewhat related to the idea of communitas, I ‘ll let you find out in what way…
The Exponent – Purdue’s Student Newspaper
2001 attacks still affect media coverage
By Sarah Michalos
Publication Date: 09/11/06
Campus Editor Print ViewSept. 11 continues to affect economy, government (09/11/2006)
Terrorist attacks impact New England students’ daily lives (09/11/2006)
Remembering 9/11
Heat dangers a constant threat to athletes (08/21/2006)
The way the media cover catastrophic events has always been a controversial topic, and one Purdue professor said Sept. 11 coverage five years ago and now is no exception.
Sorin Matei, assistant professor of communication, said when the planes hit the Twin Towers in 2001, the media at first didn’t realize the impact of the terrorist attacks
According to Victor Turner, rites of passage are said to involve man going from structure into communitas only to return back to structure having been revitalized by communitas. In regards to the posted 9/11 comments, “Sept. 11 continues to affect economy, government (09/11/2006) and Terrorist attacks impact New England students’ daily lives (09/11/2006),” communitas can be seen in such a way.
Americans could have been seen as structured prior to 9/11 in some way since the last major catastrophe. This structure was in a way demolished by the terror attack on the United States on 9/11. Americans again had a common experience that made the country more united, open to one another, and involved a loss of self. This crisis dropped everyone to an almost equal level where fear and care for ones fellow man were found. This exemplifies communitas. I have therefore explained an example of Americans being structured hierarchically, and the demolition of this structure by the 9/11 attacks. Unfortunately the feeling of togetherness, equality, and connectivity for Americans is fading somewhat. As a result, Americans are now trying to rebuild, or restructure their society once again. Americans will always remember 9/11. In regards to Turner, the evolving American structure is being revitalized by these feelings that were generated in the communitas after 9/11. People are returning to structure as Turner spoke of, but this time effected by the events of 9/11, and the communitas of American pride and spirit that developed. Like the headlines read, we are still affected by 9/11. We will always be affected.
Sarah, I enjoyed your comments. Please don’t think I’m being silly here, but I read what you wrote, and the first image that came to mind was that of a large colony of ants in one’s yard. You come along and bring disaster and confusion by stomping on the ground very near the ant mound. The ants run around in all directions, and the mound disappears. You come back the next day to see that the mound is back again, and the community is intact with each ant doing its job at its level in the hierarchy. What made me think of this? Could this be what happens to us as a society when something as large and destructive as 9/11 comes along? At first, mass confusion. Next, a wanting to come together. Then, a rebuilding of the community until another large foot comes along. (Of course, the ants who were the most disoriented from the “attack” probably never make it back. Ants do this instinctively without the feelings we have. Do we do it instinctively?