During the past months, and especially the past couple of days, the media's coverage of the Scott Peterson case has absolutely threatened to drive me insane. I've tried my best to simply ignore it, changing the channel or turning off the television or radio when it is mentioned, or skipping that story in the newspaper. Yesterday I was watching Jeopardy when they interrupted with a special report on the verdict, which was the last straw.
I complained loudly to my girlfriend, who was sympathetic, but couldn't understand why it bothered me so much. She got me started thinking about exactly why it DID bother me - I had always avoided thinking about it at all. When I did give any thought to why it bothered me, I always attributed it to the fact that it took away valuable time and resources away from real stories that people should be paying attention to.
While it is true that this is a major part of my resentment, upon reflection I realized it wasn't the whole story. After all, the SCLM isn't entirely to blame. If people weren't fascinated with the story, it wouldn't get so much play. I soon realized I was not only angry at the media for their inordinate amount of coverage, but also at the public for lapping it up and asking for more. This anger exists for several reasons, all legitimate and indicative of broader problems. And all raise serious questions about whether, and how much, our culture actually values life.
First, it shows how much people value life - but not all lives, only the lives of certain people. Make no mistake, the murder of Laci Peterson and her unborn child was a horrible and tragic event. However, the fact is that many people, consciously or subconsciously, value those two lost lives above the lives of countless others. How else to explain the concern for this case while not a second thought is given to the thousands of civilian casualties in Iraq? For many people, white Americans with money are the only people who count - everyone else's life is a dime a dozen.
Then there is the unborn factor. I know this may be taken the wrong way, but I grow weary of the special attention placed on the unborn. Yes, all life is precious. But is the life of an unborn child more valuable than anyone else's? I have always been taught that life is equally valuable. I am often sincerely puzzled by the fetishization of unborn life that seems so common today.
Finally, the case has recently brought up all my thoughts and concerns with the death penalty. The reports of people cheering outside the courthouse for a man's death sickens me. It would take more time and space than I intend to use today to fully discuss the problems with the death penalty. Suffice it to say I find it flawed in both practice and theory. I once again am mystified that anyone who claims to value life can support the death penalty.
Overall, I think the Peterson case coverage irks me because it is further proof that the so-called "Christian" and "moral" values that are touted by pundits are far removed from the true meaning of those worlds. Seeing a large number of people focus on the sensationalized coverage of one senseless death while turning a deaf ear to countless others, and at the same time celebrate the death of another man, I can only conclude that the values of true respect and appreciation of all life are sorely missing.