We've discussed this briefly, but I agree. Domestic violence that ends in death is murder, hands down. It's always been murder, it will always be murder, and just because your victim allowed you to put your hands on them in non-violent ways does not mean that your special murder deserves a newer, friendlier name. Murder is murder, and it makes no difference if you knew your murderer for ten seconds or ten years--in fact, I believe that murderers who attack people they've known and supposedly loved are the worst of the worst.
In this case, I would say using the term "domestic violence" reinforces the idea that this is common and that it's bad. When you (generic) hear "domestic violence," you usually think battery and abuse. Coupling a murder case with abuse cases serves to remind people of why domestic violence is a serious problem. People can and do turn blind eyes when Dad gets a little rough, especially if there's "justification." Put murder in the mix and then even the flaky-ass justification is gone. It's murder.
*is annoyed by the phrase "passed away" just in principle, but people use it*
I hate, "he passed" even more just in general, because I always want to say, "passed what? the tollway? gas?"
But, yeah, if they'd USED the word "murder" and paired it with the domestic violence angle, I'd have been more content. As it was, these are not people who "passed away" in ANY sense, as I see the connotations of the euphemism to refer to someone dying relatively gently.
You have an excellent point, though, if they would pair "domestic violence" with the fact of how much of it ends in MURDER, that could help, given how pervasive (and oft-dismissed) the whole mess is.
Only addressing one part of thiskirbyfestNovember 26 2007, 03:41:56 UTC
They're not going to say "murdered" multiple times on national TV at a time (and on a show) when many young children are watching. They got the facts out at the beginning, but they're not going to use what is a scary trigger word multiple times on a program that airs at 7 EST.
Hopefully the situation sparks discussion within viewing families, who can talk at an age-appropriate level.
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In this case, I would say using the term "domestic violence" reinforces the idea that this is common and that it's bad. When you (generic) hear "domestic violence," you usually think battery and abuse. Coupling a murder case with abuse cases serves to remind people of why domestic violence is a serious problem. People can and do turn blind eyes when Dad gets a little rough, especially if there's "justification." Put murder in the mix and then even the flaky-ass justification is gone. It's murder.
*is annoyed by the phrase "passed away" just in principle, but people use it*
Reply
But, yeah, if they'd USED the word "murder" and paired it with the domestic violence angle, I'd have been more content. As it was, these are not people who "passed away" in ANY sense, as I see the connotations of the euphemism to refer to someone dying relatively gently.
You have an excellent point, though, if they would pair "domestic violence" with the fact of how much of it ends in MURDER, that could help, given how pervasive (and oft-dismissed) the whole mess is.
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Hopefully the situation sparks discussion within viewing families, who can talk at an age-appropriate level.
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That makes sense. Thank you!
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