The failure of terrorism
Posted by beautiful_doll333@yahoo.com | Filed under TaMara, Uncategorized
Tamara Mosby
English 101
Ms. Abernathy
June 23, 2009
The Failure of Terrorism
Not many people are familiar with the events that took place at the Munich Olympics in 1972. This can be seen as both a good and a bad thing, depending on one’s viewpoint. On the one hand, people might feel as if terrorism should be fought by a proud advertisement of allegiance. This shows terrorists that there is nothing that can kill their pride and beliefs. While it could be considered tragic that the victims of the Munich Massacre are not remembered more, this lack of attention might actually be a positive thing to some. Some might also feel it is a good thing that the horrible events of that day are forgotten because, as Paul Wilkinson accurately states, “terrorism by its very nature is a psychological weapon which depends upon communicating a threat to a wider society.” (Weimann) So, if the terrorist have fuel to their fire, which is international attention, they will continue to stage ghastly events for the media to broadcast. Instead, we should mourn the loss of the innocent victims and never forget their cause, but at the same time avoid giving the terrorists the attention that they crave. If not, terrorism will continue to rise with the hopes of proving a point through unnecessary murder. Just as the sole purpose of the Munich Massacre is meant to portray fear, Kurt Strumpf’s infamous photograph shows the inhuman qualities of terrorism, which encourages the viewers to feel nonchalant towards the terrorists’ cause instead of the intended reaction of fear.
The author of this image chose to use the hues of black and white to give the viewers a sense of disbelief. People today are normally exposed to colorful and detailed pictures. However, this picture is quite the opposite. The lack of detail combined with the pose of the terrorist makes the viewers skeptical of what they are seeing. Beyond that, the simple fact that the terrorist were out in the open shocks the viewers into total distrust. The surreality of this picture makes the viewers want to do research behind the photo and learn more about the massacre. In addition to the color of the photo, the animal-like pose of the gunman shows the inhuman animalistic qualities of the terrorist. Since it is fact that all animals are secondary to humans, the terrorist will not receive the respect that they strive for. Thus, lack of respect equals to lack of fear.
In the picture described, the terrorist is an angry Palestinian taking revenge on the innocent Israeli hostages. Behind the man, it is known as a fact that there were around eleven hostages behind the glass door. The hostages were close enough to see; however they were too far away to capture. The picture takes the attention off of the pointlessly angry terrorist and focuses on the mysteries behind the glass door. Instead of questioning the meaning of the terrorists’ actions, the viewers are left to imagine what exactly went on inside the door. The question of, which was the bravest for all of the Israelis or who was the most comforting and optimistic will be asked in replace. Different from showing the pity and comprehension that the terrorist intended to bring, the scornful attention that the viewers give them instead is quickly replaced by the curiosity for the brave victims.
The Palestinians are basically angry with the Israeli people because of land loss in the 1940’s. Now, they feel as if no one cares about their people’s state of well being. The terrorists believe they have to “to use the unprecedented number of media outlets in one city to display the Palestinian struggle–for better or worse!” (Beyer) The terrorists failed to realize that the broadcasted display of the massacre would show Israeli’s struggle, not theirs. The stone wall of the balcony located in front of the terrorist symbolizes the stone beliefs that neither side are willing to change. The Israelis believe that Israel is their divine right, while the Palestinians believe that they are also entitled to the land. In addition, to the land feud, the two groups also hold religious differences. This causes the hostile tension between the groups to increase even more. This Jew versus Muslim war is still going on today. So, what was the purpose of the massacre of innocent people? If other countries can forgive and forget about their ancestor’s rivalry, why can’t they?
Thirty years after the Munich Massacre, the state of the Palestinian people is still the same; if not, then worse. Their people are still refuges and most are still stateless. There was not even a worldwide epiphany that made people consider the reason for the attack. If anything, the Palestinian situation has pejorated. Because of the gang who just can not let go of the past, the Palestinian people will always be linked to the deaths of innocent people at a time of peace and tradition. Even if there are Palestinians who disagree with the terrorists’ actions, the people who are educated in the massacre will always connect the two. This causes people all over the world look down on the Palestinian people with apathy just because of those few bad apples.
Olympics are always symbolized as a peaceful time for friendly competition. Regardless of the sundry of problems countries face with each other, all can be forgotten at the Olympics. This was especially the main goal of the Munich Olympics. The German’s wanted to prove that they too could be considered a peaceful country, due to their negative image from WW2. Knowing this peaceful fact, the terrorist thought that they could kill the Olympic spirit with their actions. However, they didn’t. Even though the games halted for some time, it started back again. One Israeli Olympian was even quoted, “[t]his is as scared as I get. Now let’s go run.”(Moore) The goal of eradicating the spirits of the Olympians clearly did not work. The attention that they craved only lasted for a while, but the recognition for the victims will last for eternity.
TaM’s voicemail
Posted by Jasmine | Filed under Jasmine
TaMara’s voicemail gets on my frikkin’ nerves!! She’s all like “HAY!!” so you think she answered the phone and get all excited. Then, when you get ready to say something, she’s all with that “I ain’t heah right now” junk. Not to mention it scared the bejeezus out of me the first time I heard it. I hope you change that sometime soon >.>
