Elian Gonzalez :: essays research papers

At this point, it probably doesnt make much dissimilitude 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 encounter manifested themselves in some regrettable way, but well just have to wait and see. And when we get the news of his inevitable breakdown, well sit around and tsk-tsk, severe to regard as 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 exactly what the arguments were for keeping Elian here or for sending him home. Instead, well remember media-crafted images, because thats what this integral case has been about. Theres no legal or emotional logic at that places further the mind-numbing parade of made-for-television snapshots The self-righteous Miami Cuban-American community, chanting and mugging for the came ras the indignant lawyers the self-serving talk of the town heads and the political posturing. If were really lucky and concentrate hard, well remember the bemused feel of the little boy himself. Who do we have to thank for this montage of usage? The media, of course (yours truly included). What began as a human catastrophe (refugees overmaster at sea, motherless boy picked up by kindly fishermen) has been cancelled into something far 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 more reasonable relationship with Cuba? Would there be a moving and speedy 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 catastrophe of a little boy lost? In retrospect, we should have cognise things would be bad. Elians damp arrival on ou r shores interrupted a rival 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 sound the most covered media object since O. J. Simpson, surpassing JFK Jr. and even Diana in network 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 cure Elian.