Conclusions
When we set out as a group to research the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and then put together a blog on the subject, I don’t think any one of us expected to be so intrigued and taken in by the subject. It is a subject that is charged with much emotion, passion, belief in human rights and justice, and a firm opinion on what our country should stand for. And not just our ideals, but in our actions and policy as well. During the course of this project, some of our group changed their opinions on the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and some of them did not. However, it was never our intention to impose our beliefs or persuade one way or the other regarding this policy and the recent debate surrounding it. Instead our purpose was to present you with the proper background knowledge and facts, and then let you formulate your own opinion. As we wrap up this project, we would like to briefly discuss a few areas and points that we found particularly interesting and apply media effect theories like framing, cultivation, agenda-setting, gate keeping and more, to these facts we will be discussing.
What's The Point?
Many of the cartoons we looked at seemed to be posing the question, “Whats’s the point?” Obviously referring to the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy. Cartoons #3 and #6 both seem to ask this question.
These cartoons seem to state that sexual orientation has nothing to do with how well you can fight and defend your country. And furthermore, that one’s sexual orientation has no place on the battlefield or in the military. As far as media theories go, cartoons #3 and #6 frame the issue as something that is matter of fact and one sided. They present the argument that when in battle, it does not matter who is fighting alongside you. However, despite this framing, there are other opinions that would disagree with the obvious message of these cartoons. This is clear because if there weren’t other opinions, then the debate about the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy would not be going on and the point would be moot.
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| Cartoon #3 |
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| Cartoon #6 |
These cartoons seem to state that sexual orientation has nothing to do with how well you can fight and defend your country. And furthermore, that one’s sexual orientation has no place on the battlefield or in the military. As far as media theories go, cartoons #3 and #6 frame the issue as something that is matter of fact and one sided. They present the argument that when in battle, it does not matter who is fighting alongside you. However, despite this framing, there are other opinions that would disagree with the obvious message of these cartoons. This is clear because if there weren’t other opinions, then the debate about the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy would not be going on and the point would be moot.
Hypocrisy
Other cartoons that we found seemed to point of the hypocrisy behind the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy more than others. Cartoon #12, conveyed a particularly powerful image regarding this point.
This cartoon especially plays on people’s emotions. The well known image of soldiers hoisting the American Flag at Iwo Jima during the aftermath of World War II is a touching reminder of the horrific events of war, the blessing of our victory in World War II, and the sacrifice and dedication of the soldiers that fight for the freedoms that we as Americans enjoy. This particular cartoon is making the case that the very thought of robbing one of the soldiers of their title, respect, and honor simply based on his sexual preference would be unjust.
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| Cartoon #12 |
This cartoon especially plays on people’s emotions. The well known image of soldiers hoisting the American Flag at Iwo Jima during the aftermath of World War II is a touching reminder of the horrific events of war, the blessing of our victory in World War II, and the sacrifice and dedication of the soldiers that fight for the freedoms that we as Americans enjoy. This particular cartoon is making the case that the very thought of robbing one of the soldiers of their title, respect, and honor simply based on his sexual preference would be unjust.
The Overwhelming Majority
In accordance with the above mentioned cartoons, we as a group noticed that most of the cartoons, and in addition articles, videos, opinions, ect., that we found during our research were in favor of the repeal. This realization was illustrated quite well by cartoon #11.
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| Cartoon #11 |
This cartoon, almost more than any other that we found, portrays the Senate as the leading opposition behind the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. This cartoon displays the Senate’s own agenda and beliefs as being more important than the majority of the armed forces. In turn, this cartoon frames the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell as something that the vast majority of people want. This framing of the repeal would certainly appear to be in accordance with the fact that as a group we could not find much information and argument for the opposition.
Conservative Opinion
However, despite our findings, or lack thereof, it would be naïve to assume that everyone in America agrees with and supports the repeal of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy. Much of our country is very conservative and when you consider how much attention and voice was given by conservatives to other gay rights issues such as legalizing marriage, it seems fair to wonder where the conservatives and their opinions are concerning Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Perhaps they are afraid to speak out, are simply being out-shouted by those in favor of the repeal, or perhaps on this issue concerning gay rights, they do not have a problem.
Only time will tell.
Stereotypical Imaging
Yet, it should be noted that of the cartoons that we did find to be against the repeal, most were stereotypical in their portrayals which is to be expected in cartoons, but seemed to somehow cast their argument into a negative and intolerant light that was needless to say, detrimental to the argument against the repeal. An example of this stereotypical and superficial argument against the repeal can be seen below, illustrated in cartoon #10.
How We See The World
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| Cartoon #10 |
How We See The World
Obviously, everything we see, in some way affects our view of the world. This is known as cultivation, and it is particularly easy to understand in terms of political cartoons. After viewing the cartoons that we have posted on this blog, you may regard certain characters and issues in a different light than you did before viewing the cartoons. However, this idea also works in the opposite way. Selective perception is a media theory that works in almost the same way that cultivation does. Except in the case of selective perception, all of your previous life experiences and beliefs change the way in which you view the cartoons. As you think about the information and images that you have seen on our blog, we would urge you to also think carefully about the media theories that may or may not be affecting your opinion. How are your selective perceptions influencing the way in which you interpret something? How might the creator behind the cartoon you are viewing be trying to cultivate a certain opinion? How might a story or image be being framed, and why? What are the cartoonists, reporters, and networks separate agendas? By carefully considering these questions we trust you will be able to form your own educated opinion about the repeal of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, and thereby help move our country and world in a more positive direction.
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| opensecrets.org |
