Perhaps I am the only one who sees an irony in the media and subsequent public reaction to the “Tragedy in Cheshire.” Obviously triple murder should receive the attention of our outrage and shock. However, after seeing for more than five days this murder dominate the headlines of the Courant and most media outlets, I continually find myself asking: “And where is the same level of outrage to the tragic deaths and consequent tragic impact on families that are occurring in our Urban cities?” Is it because the media and public feel that the murders of urban youths and adults (primarily of color and poor) are a natural consequence of “their” environment? That the white wealthy people of the suburbs are innocents to whom only peace, justice and the benefits of the American way should pertain? I can only read this as a further deepening of the institutionalized racism of our media and public.

And of course there seems to be a plethora of discussion regarding increasing police presence, personal gun ownership, challenging the parole system, tooth for a tooth retribution and on and on. But where is the outrage at the total disappearance of our social safety net, social wage, disparities in access to services, wealth disparities, institutionalized and growing violent nature of our state system and pandering to violence by the media?

I am sure some may consider these words callous or blasphemous and so be it. However, I have found that I am not alone in these thoughts and I do think the media and public reaction to Cheshire, and similar non-reaction to Hartford and other urban centers, is a case study of the institutionalized racism of this country. If you don’t agree, remember Enron, Katrina and New Orleans, the Black Panther SF8, Lesbian 7 and on and on and on….

“America leads the world in shock. Unfortunately America does not lead the world in deciphering the cause of shock…” from “We Beg Your Pardon, America” by Gil Scott-Heron

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