Counter Memory Example

Find and example of counter memory. What parts of the official memory are being contested and how is that being done?

Counter memory is defined as “a practice of memory formation that is social and political, one that runs counter to the official histories of governments, mainstream mass media, and the society of the spectacle. It involves memorialization-a collective practice of relearning-of forgotten, suppress, and excluded histories.”

News breaks all day, everyday; so it’s easy for us to get caught up in the moment and forget things that have happened in the past. Although, not all news stories are easily forgotten. For example, 9/11 will never be forgotten. We all remember where we were on that fateful day and can recite it for everyone to hear - because it’s made a lasting impact on all American citizens.

But what about other major news stories? Like the Boston Marathons bombings? Or what about the Sandy Hook shooting? We as a society tend to get caught up in the moment. We care about a specific news story for a while, but as soon as something bigger comes along, we put that event in the back of our memories.

Of course these news stories are important, and we’ll always remember them when the anniversaries come around, but who really thinks about them on a daily basis besides those who were personally affected? We don’t think about these events if we weren’t personally affected. It’s like it never even happens.

Another major news story that you never hear anyone talk about is the Steubenville High School rapes. In August of 2012, a high school girl, while under the influence of alcohol, was publicly sexually assaulted by her peers, many of whom posted it on social media. They posted the assaults on Facebook, Twitter, text messages and even recorded the acts on their phones. Two high school students were convicted in juvenile court for the rape of a minor.

When this case first came out, it cased a national conversation about rape and rape culture.One of the most controversial arguments came from a biased coverage from CNN. A CNN reporter stated that it was "Incredibly difficult, even for an outsider like me, to watch what happened as these two young men that had such promising futures, star football players, very good students, literally watched as they believed their lives fell apart...when that sentence came down, [Ma'lik] collapsed in the arms of his attorney...He said to him, 'My life is over. No one is going to want me now.’” Many Americans were outraged by this comment, because it’s hard for us to understand how someone could feel sympathy for a rapist.

The two teenagers were given their sentence almost a year ago exactly; and at the time it was all anyone would talk about. Now a days, no one ever mentions it. A few of my friends and I were just talking about this event the other day, and to be honest, I also completely forgot that it happened. It’s sad that something so prominent in our culture can be easily forgotten. Of course, this case will most likely come up with future rape cases, but it will never be as prominent in culture as it was last year.

Some memories will forever last in our minds, like the events of 9/11. However, memories that should make a lasting impact on us are just as easily forgotten.