In recent weeks, two organizations (www.campustruth.org and
www.student2student.com) have been publishing ads in the Daily
Bruin, as well as in other campus newspapers across the country.
These ads make broad, one-sided claims regarding the Middle East
Crisis.
A typical ad depicts an Israeli athlete alongside a Palestinian
suicide bomber. The words “Israeli School Children’s
Hero” caption the athlete’s picture, while
“Palestinian School Children’s Hero” ran atop the
picture of the suicide bomber. This is just one of the several ads
of this type that circulate nationwide: what a lovely way to spread
information (evasive information, mind you).
These ads consist of biased images and sweeping generalizations.
Organizations with money to spend and resources to utilize
shouldn’t invest their efforts in misleading thousands of
students. It is an unethical and unprofessional means of handling a
contentious topic. If there was an argument at all, it definitely
wasn’t presented.
Seeking sympathy, using mind games, and playing on emotions
aren’t the most credible methods in getting a point across.
It was a clever approach, however, and I’m sure it convinced
the already convinced, as well as those whose only exposure to the
Middle East situation are ads like this and FOX News headlines. But
it was a low blow for those who strive to intelligently and
truthfully present both sides to every story.Â
The fact that the ads use pictures completely out of context and
speak on behalf of an entire, voiceless people ““ the
Palestinians ““ discredits the organizations’ objective
and is glaringly offensive. It’s about reliability,
integrity, ethics, and presenting the facts. Simply put, these ads
are pushing an agenda in an unfair manner. Anyone can pick out
striking pictures and relay a shocking message with a few carefully
crafted words. But the matter of Israel and the Palestinians is
continuously under heated debate and should be handled with
dialogue and discussion ““ by information backed with
evidence.
Twisting information, misinterpreting events, exploiting images
and facts out of context, making prejudiced inferences, and
oversimplifying a complex predicament only works on those who have
their eyes wide shut. Our right to free speech should afford
information that is productive, not offensive.
In a place where propaganda and lies are whirling in a cyclone
of misinformation that has trapped an entire nation, we should
struggle to present every side to the story ““ to reveal all
perceived realities and impart an all-encompassing truth. We
are capable of forming our own opinions; they really
shouldn’t be formed for us.Â
It takes more than a couple of pictures and cleverly intolerant
phrases to get through to anyone but the ignorant and
stubborn-minded. There are two sides to every story. In this case,
one was left untold.Â
Kolsy is a first-year political science student.