Throughout the various (and extremely large amount of) readings in my first year at UBC, the common topic I came across was the influence wielded by writers and editors in shaping media. Especially those documenting global events such as political turmoil or social activism, hold the power to mold perspectives and define the existence of specific occurrences. Consequently, a simplistic categorization of events as either good or evil based on a single source is untenable.
I can expand on this observation through two specific readings, Persepolis and Zeitoun. The above image is pulled from Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel Persepolis. The image vividly captures her authority as a graphic narrative writer by skillfully guiding the readers attention by revealing and concealing her memories while ensuring her voice resonates with the readers. As a result, she effectively dictates what we see and hear, shaping our perception.
Similarly, as I delved into Dave Eggers’ book, Zeitoun, I confronted the narrow perspective through which media constructs and reports different narratives. Prior to exploring this book, I was oblivious to the appalling racial discrimination against minorities during and after Hurricane Katrina. My recollection painted Hurricane Katrina merely as one of the worst natural disasters in the United States. However, Eggers crafts a narrative that transcends a mere disaster account that destroyed homes and lives, weaving in narratives of trauma and racial discrimination. The protagonist, Zeitoun, emerges as a compassionate, hardworking, and innocent family man in New Orleans which can be further portrayed through his decision to stay in the aftermath of the hurricane, driven by a desire to aid those left behind. Yet, an alternative portrayal surfaces through accounts of his alleged crimes, omitting the context of Zeitoun being falsely accused as a terrorist. This raises a crucial question:
What if one were only informed about Zeitoun through the article detailing his crimes?
In such a scenario, many may categorize him as inherently evil. However, having read the book, I perceive Zeitoun as a man subjected to unacceptable discrimination which potentially influenced his actions.
Media serves as a conduit for audiences to witness and empathize with incidents worldwide through screens or books. It is essential to acknowledge that these perspectives are filtered through the lens of the writer or editor. Even with the intention to present facts and truth, the view is influenced by the reporter’s and editor’s interpretation. To comprehend the reality of the global landscape, one must be cognizant of perspectives beyond the lens and resist oversimplified categorizations of good or evil. As this year concludes, I aspire to retain the knowledge gained, striving to be a global citizen capable of discerning and sharing views beyond the immediate lens.
