Polarized Media Defends Different Communities After Nashville Shooting
AllSides Summary
After Monday's school shooting in Nashville that left seven people dead, sources across the spectrum moved to defend different groups.
For Context: The LGBTQ+ and Christian communities are the subject of analysis following the shooting. Police identified the shooter, 28-year-old Audrey Hale, as transgender. The shooting happened at a Christian elementary school that Hale once attended. Police say Hale "may have had some resentment" toward the school, and said Hale wrote a manifesto describing the attack plan.
Defense of the LGBTQ+ Community: Left- and center-rated sources like NBC News and Newsweek highlighted coverage Wednesday of fears in the LGBTQ+ community as details of the shooting emerge. Newsweek highlighted advocates who oppose the release of the shooter's manifesto, saying it could fuel "additional glorification of the shooter" and that the focus should be on gun control. NBC News highlighted tweets from Republicans who placed blame for the shooting on transgender "ideas" and hormone treatments.
Defense of the Christian Community: Right-rated sources like Fox News and New York Post (Lean Right bias) prominently featured articles Wednesday about Christians feeling mocked and disrespected after the shooting. Fox highlighted how some headlines and activists after the shooting focused on "moving past thoughts and prayers" for the shooting, and painted that focus as anti-Christian. The Post highlighted how when Biden was told Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) believed the attack targeted Christians, he replied, "Well, I probably don’t then," before saying he was joking.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Fear pervades Tennessee's trans community amid focus on Nashville shooter's gender identity
Shortly after news broke Monday of a fatal shooting at a private Christian Nashville elementary school, police said the suspect was transgender. This detail, according to trans people in the state, has poured fuel on an already combustive environment that has led many of them to fear for their safety.
Police say Audrey Hale, who was killed by responding officers, fatally shot three 9-year-old students and three staffers at The Covenant School. Though police have said there is no known motive for the shooting, some conservatives have blamed the shooting on...
From the Center
Audrey Hale Manifesto Release Raises Major Concerns From LGBTQ+ Groups
Calls for police to release the "manifesto" that authorities say was written ahead of Monday's Nashville school shooting has prompted concern among LGBTQ+ groups, who caution against the publication of such a document.
While many details remain to be unveiled about the massacre at The Covenant School this week, police have identified the shooter as 28-year-old Audrey Hale. On Monday, Hale, armed with two assault-style weapons—a rifle and a pistol—as well as a handgun, fatally shot three children and three staff members at the school before being killed by police....
From the Right
Media mockery of prayer, 'subtle smears' against Christianity marks coverage of Nashville massacre
Pastors and conservative leaders weighed in on reaction by journalists and entertainers who have mocked prayer and brought attention to Tennessee's drag show ban amid the Christian elementary school massacre that took six lives Monday.
As the nation grapples with the murders of three adults and three children at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, faith leaders responded to the criticism by journalists, commentators, entertainers and activists who have mocked prayer and blamed conservatives for outlawing drag shows for kids and not guns.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins reiterated that people should...
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