Daily Mail’s take on the Events happening in Ferguson Missouri

While searching for more articles and how they present (rhetorically) their perspective on the same issue. I came upon an article on Daily Mail.com. Throughout the article, pictures flood the page of scenes from events that took place during the protests in Ferguson Missouri. In the article, Peaceful protests in Ferguson marred by clashes as police arrest 47 people overnight after bottles of urine are thrown at them” there is an optimistic tone and a positive light shown on the protestors that are fighting for peace and justice for young Micheal Brown. As opposed to other articles (CNN) that made the protestors seem like “criminals” and paint the police as victims of a crime. Just from the title the words “peaceful” used to describe the protest let the audience know this article isn’t about violence.

Local community activists quickly attempted to defuse the situation by linking arms and standing in between the authorities and the remaining protesters on Tuesday

As I started to read the first thing I noticed is that readers are immediately hit with the facts of the case. It then continues to set a calm scene of what took place during the protests that eventually do “escalate” after midnight as the police “claimed” they were pelted with bottles of urine. The word claimed made it seem as though this article was going to take more of the protestors feelings into consideration. And give a voice to the people on the frontlines of the “peaceful” protests. The article also makes it a point to mention that the majority of the protestors took the instructions from community leaders to leave early. Yet again another detail that failed to show up in other articles I read. And even when it is brought up that things started to take a turn for the worst after midnight. The Daily Mail gives examples of how local community activists attempted to “defuse” the situations by “linking arms and standing in between the authorities and the remaining protestors”. A point in which I find helps the audience see that what happened in Missouri wasn’t all bad things and ugly exchanges between law enforcement and “black citizens”. The article continuously brings up the good intentions of the community. The article states, “‘Hands up! Don’t shoot’ was once again the mantra, although many demonstrators added a second chant: ‘We protesters, we don’t loot.’” Not making this just an issue of race by using the word “demonstrators” and not attacking their actions because of their skin color is another unique trait I found throughout the article I didn’t see anywhere in other articles I previously read.

Protests continued for yet another night on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, over the killing of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, but crowds were smaller than on previous evenings and the atmosphere was significantly calmer

Through this online source the readers can see the separation of those with ill intentions and those that are trying to create lasting change within the community. The city itself is working to make said change happen as more people worked to de escalate the tension between the demonstrators and police. “In a public statement, the city said the mayor, the City Council and employees have been exploring ways to increase the number of African-American applicants to the law enforcement academy, develop incentive programs to encourage city residency for police officers and raise money for cameras that would be attached to patrol car dashboards and officers’ vests.” This information is an example of a start that could possibly bring together a community and work on the deeper issue at hand. I did notice that it wasn’t all positive information throughout the story. The Daily Mail did make it a point to share the thoughts of officials and the word “criminals” did come up a lot when mentioning the protestors. On the opposing side there was yet again a frequent focus on the actual purpose of why the community took specific action. The several images on the page related to the events told a story of their own.

Police begin arresting dozens of protesters on West Florissant Avenue after they refused to leave the area and began throwing objects at officers on Tuesday. Some 47 people were arrested

With words from Micheal’s family as they contested that there will only be peace if those responsible for the death of her son were held responsible. “She said the violence, including looting and a report of two people shot in Ferguson Monday night, detracted from the purpose of the protests.” Once again keeping those that are looting and those seeking So I decided to look up the rhetoric presented and images and found some pretty interesting things. In the article, “Race and Visibility: How and Why Visual Images of Black Lives Matter” it states, “photography sometimes presents us with subjects to which we may not wish to attend; in a way photographs may function to force us to look at subjects we have otherwise chosen to ignore, making us think about them and, even, imagine ourselves in their situation.” A point that made me realize the power photographs hold. I took this statement as a way to say that images create a certain undeniable awareness. Many people can hear and read things, but it is a completely different thing to see something with your own eyes because then you know it’s real and just as “Gallagher and Zagazki” said it makes it that much harder to ignore the facts. And that much easier to put ourselves in a situation. Imagine what that could do in relation to the Black Lives Matter Movement. As the movement itself is in itself a rhetorical concept. Explained in the article, “Black Lives Matter and the Rhetoric of Revolution”. Which talks about the rhetorical power of the Black Lives Matter movement and how to oppose the movement ultimately makes you racist. The article states, “Any decent person will agree with the literal meaning of the phrase itself, “black lives matter” — but it takes serious and thoughtful effort to affirm that, while of course black lives matter, the organization called Black Lives Matter is a neo-Marxist movement intent on the fundamental transformation of society.” Explaining the power of the movement and how it is necessary so that the uncomfortable issues plaguing our country continue to be pushed and remain significant. Most importantly it shows how it is more justice in two different categories. While they are usually grouped as the same thing in much of the coverage of the stories pertaining to the Black Lives Matter Movement. I think the Daily Mail did a great job in presenting a rare and positive side of things. As mentioned earlier there are quite a lot of pictures that show that tell just as much of the story as the words on the page. than just a phrase.