1st paper

I choose to analyze the essay, "Not Only Natalee Is Missing" for my first paper of this semester. Writing a rhetorical analysis doesnt seem like it would be a tough thing, but I find these assignments a bit harder than most. My forte is creative writing and analyzing different forms of creative writing. Ive always found it difficult to do academic type writing. But, hopefully I dont do that bad with this one.

This article brings up the issue of racism, something that many dont give any thought to in todays world and associate with fifty years ago, especially in the context this articles uses, missing people. It brings forth the issue that minority women do not get as much media attention as caucasion women in the media. This coverage can be detrimental in finding these missing women. Though the racism may not be malicious and concious, it is still present. The article uses the example of Jonbenet Ramsey, the majority of Americans know the situation surrounding this young girl when her name is uttered, but yet there are similar and possibly more devastating cases involving young black or latino girls. This article also brings up the fact that it is rare that any missing person coverage covers a male of any race.

The article suggests that it is maybe because reporters choose stories that they can identify with and a very small percentage of the media reporters are minorities. Though that is just a suggestion, no one really knows why and as the article states are probably a little embarrased.