Thursday, August 16, 2012

Why Hasn’t The Sikh Temple Shooting Gotten More Coverage?

I was reluctant to take on this post because no one ever wants to get into the business of comparing mass shooting episodes, but it feels like the Sikh temple shooting in Oak Creek Wisconsin has gotten far less coverage than the Aurora Colorado Theatre shooting or even the plea of the Tucson shooter and I’m at a loss to explain why.

No one is going to sit here and tell me that the six people who died were less important than anyone who died in Colorado or Arizona. Yet, the Sikh Temple shooting seems to be treated like an afterthought.

Is it simply because there’s more stuff going on? The Olympics, Syria, wild weather, economic woe, etc.?

Or is it because it’s harder to identify with the Sikh faith than a bunch of people sitting in a movie theatre?

Sorry to say, but there is a need for a compelling narrative, if the news media is going to shine a spotlight on an event.

Personally, I think the Sikh Temple shooting provides an amazing opportunity to discuss religious tolerance in America and teach about respecting people of different faiths.

Sadly, I don’t think we’ll get there.

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