As the number of polarizing issues in the United States seems to increase every day, it becomes easier than ever to lose track of some of the most pressing topics that face our nation. One debate, however, continues to arise in headlines more frequently than other contestable topics: the discussion about gun control. For as long as this exigence is on the forefronts of the minds of concerned students, teachers, and parents, advocates from both sides of the isle use a combination of strategies in order to sway the public. This political cartoon tackles the commonplaces that support the idea that individuals having access to guns makes people ultimately safer, in addition to combatting the image of perpetrators of mass shootings as mentally ill exceptions to the overall reliability of gun owners. By appealing to the compassion of its audience, the cartoon reaches the very root of the issue of gun control; despite any benefits that guns may provide for personal security, there must be some kind of change simply because there are children dying on a frequent and unusual basis.
Gun control, however, is not the only commonplace being debased in this cartoon. The choice to portray a father as opposed to a mother or sibling expertly attacks another misconception which states that grown men can’t cry. In fact, the intentional disruption of this social norm only further emphasizes the abnormality of the situation where a father is this afraid to send his daughter off to school because of the risk that she could become the next victim of a mass shooting. This diversion from stereotypical behavior that is being portrayed in this cartoon reminds people that our current state of affairs is not, and never should be accepted as normal.
Your article is concise and addresses the issues of gun control with concern and respect. The idea of school shootings becoming normalized is horrifying. While atrocities like school shootings can happen it is good to become educated and educate others on these topics in hopes of making a difference.
Ila, I think this cartoon was a great choice and really allowed you to go into depth about how the use of common places can have a lasting effect. Your analysis of the dad in this cartoon went beyond the obvious and dove into a commonplace that I personally would have missed. The mention of men don’t cry was really interesting and I appreciate how you noticed the range of audiences that this cartoon could impact because of it. Gun control is an important issue that is not always easy to talk about, but this Cartoon as well as your interpretation were very tasteful and interesting.
Ila, you did a great job of bringing attention to two commonplaces in the gun control debate. I’ve never considered the right’s argument to legislation restricting guns, being a commonplace in itself, but you are definitely right. Additionally I liked how you also called out the commonplace/stereotype that men are emotionally resistant, and used that to prove the strong emotional dilemma that one faces (even men) when they send their children into schools after the violence we have seen. Really good!
I really like this cartoon as a testament to the uncertainty that parents face when sending their kids into the outside world. Especially in our nation where mass shootings seem to be a daily occurrence, parents are worried sick about the safety of their children. Your mention of the artist choosing to depict a father crying is really interesting and insightful. It shows how big issues like gun violence can push people into behaving in a way that isn’t “normal.”
I admire the fact that you talked about gun control because I believe it is always a topic that everyone prevents mentioning it. I think your choice of cartoon and your analysis are great, especially the fact that you mentioned about another huge topic that only women and children will cry. Overall, it was great to read the blog.