Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/521232
May/June 2015 7 that the use of the chokehold was "legal but prohibited" and added some entirely new language, stating that "Garner, who was considerably larger than any of the officers, continued to struggle with them." 2 The language of these changes— while they also could be described as "factual"—clearly relate the events of Garner's murder in a different light. In the video footage, Garner's hands are held above his body. Whether his hands are raised in a surrendering position or in agitated flailing is clearly a question of how the author wants their audience to interpret this event. What is the difference between describing a face pushed into the side- walk or a head pushed into the side- walk? Which description is more human? The importance of emphasizing Garner's size and the legality of the chokehold that killed him becomes more clear when we look at where and when these anonymous edits were made. These edits were made from NYPD headquarters on the same evening that a grand jury did not indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo for Garner's murder. 3 We see here clearly how rhetoric is used in main- taining institutional power. The lan- guage in the entry was carefully edited so that the reader would make certain inferences—mainly, to dispel any questions about the legality and necessity of Garner's death and to legitimize the use of deadly force by a police officer. Black Lives Matter This rhetoric of violence— particularly as it intertwines with race—is ubiquitous in our culture. It reinforces the idea that the Other is scary and perhaps even suggests "he had it coming." Ultimately, rhetoric further wounds the family and community that has lost yet another vibrant, living human being. When we examine the messages being communicated about violence in our country, a disturbing trend emerges. "Straight-A Student Plots to Bomb High School" proclaimed one headline about a white 18-year-old caught planning a large-scale school bombing in 2008. In contrast, "Shoot- ing Victim Had Many Run-ins with the Law," ran in Omaha, Nebraska, after a 19-year-old black man was gunned down. Regarding a shooting spree in Santa Barbara by a young white man earlier this year, an AP headline read, "Suspect was 'soft-spo- ken, polite, a gentleman,' ex-principal says." Back in 2012, after Trayvon Martin was shot, an article about him featured the headline "Trayvon Mar- tin Suspended Three Times." 4 Too often, coverage of the loss of black life emphasizes the implied morally deficient character of the vic- tim. The inference the audience is nudged toward making is that, per- haps in some way, the victim himself may have been responsible for his own death. Compare that with the rhetoric surrounding white perpetra- tors of violent crimes. Carefully cho- sen quotes and anecdotes emphasize disbelief at the violent or murderous acts of the suspect. These carefully constructed headlines lead the reader to the perception that some victims "have it coming," normalizing dis- trust between racial communities in the United States. The Power of Words Think of the difference between labeling some groups poor and others as lazy. Some people are "on welfare" while others "receive public assis- tance." Why are some of us "expats" while others are "immigrants"? What makes someone a "thug" rather than a "criminal" or "first-time offender"? Many white women who choose to wear long skirts and modest clothing are "exercising religious freedom"