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July 29, 2005
If you miss me...
Thanks to M.B. I have another one for the “what the hell is wrong with this society” file. I know we have all seen the blogs and the news reports on "pretty white girls syndrome." You know the complex mix of media coverage and empathy that makes the pretty white girl's disappearance not only top news, but more important than other missing people--even more tragic are pregnant missing people. Before you say, “Kwaku has turned into an angry black man.” I want you to step back--way back. Leave passion and even knowledge of our culture aside. Pretend you are an alien monitoring earthly transmissions the U.S. is your quadrant. You could not help but be perplexed by the following turn of events.
When Laci Peterson disappeared there was a big fuss about her being pregnant and much concern was expressed for the life of her unborn baby. We have set the precedent that pregnancy is important if not for the life of the mother then for the life of the unborn child. Not knowing anything about this culture you find it easy to make this connection. All animals protect their young and a society would need to have the same imperative if it wanted to remain a viable entity.
Then you get this report about Natalee Holloway, an ordinary teen who went missing during her vacation. The media buzz was extraordinary. But within several days of her disappearance, another person goes missing--a pregnant person. Surely this will trump the current media frenzy since you have seen that pregnant missing persons are very important. In this democratic society you are observing, and based on the precept that all men are created equal, the spotlight would at least be shared EQUALLY among the three missing persons. NO. Not the case!!Confused? I would be too--and I am.
Please help me sort this out folks. I still believe in equality for all but I am getting extremely jaded by the media coverage. I can sketch Natalee’s face in the dark. I have seen it that many times. The other woman, Latoyia Figueroa, I could not pick out in a crowd. If you really were an outside spectator what conclusion would you draw?
Her name is Latoyia Figueroa have you seen her?
