Elian Gonzalez :: essays research papers

At this point, it probably doesnt make much difference if or when Elian Gonzalez is finally extricated from the clutches of his Miami relatives. The damage has already been done. In 10 or 15 years, Elians much-discussed psychic injuries will or will not direct manifested themselves in some regrett sufficient way, but well just have to gestate and see. And when we get the news of his inevitable breakdown, well sit around and tsk-tsk, trying to bring forward specifics of the half-year melodrama that brought Elian so relentlessly into our homes and water-cooler conversations. Chances are we wont be able to remember just what the arguments were for keeping Elian here or for sending him home. Instead, well remember media-crafted images, because thats what this whole solecism has been about. Theres no legal or emotional logic theres only the mind-numbing process of made-for-television snapshots The self-righteous Miami Cuban-American community, chanting and mugging for the cameras th e indignant lawyers the self-serving let the cat out of the baging heads and the semipolitical posturing. If were really lucky and concentrate hard, well remember the bemused expression of the footling boy himself. Who do we have to thank for this montage of manipulation? The media, of descriptor (yours truly included). What began as a human catastrophe (refugees drown at sea, motherless boy picked up by kindly fishermen) has been turned into something out-of-the-way(prenominal) less redeeming than a circus. When this fifth-rate soap opera began, there was talk of various positive, if peripheral, consequences. Could this little boys plight push the U.S. government into a much reasonable relationship with Cuba? Would there be a heartwarming and immediate reunion between Elian and his father? Might the members of the American media be able to act like adults and take this for what it is an intensely private family tragedy of a little boy lost? In retrospect, we should have know n things would be bad. Elians damp arrival on our shores interrupted a couple of spectacularly slow months in the nations newsrooms there was nothing to hold us back, so we stampeded down to Miami with our microphones amped and our camera lights blazing. Six months later, according to the media mavens at Newswatch.org, Elian has become the or so covered media object since O. J. Simpson, surpassing JFK Jr. and even Diana in communicate stories. Various networks and CNN have cut a deal with the Miami relatives allowing cameras into the house, should INS officials or federal marshals finally make a move to retrieve Elian.