Written by -- R. Buckman
Prince George
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Monday, 12 May 2008 |
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Shortly after disappearing, each was mentioned in the local media as a missing person. Days passed.
For one, her family and friends converge to locate her. They produce posters asking for information and knock on many doors to get the posters up at every place possible. For a while, it seems that there are posters on every storefront and public place. A very large reward is offered for information on her disappearance (generated by the family). People start talking about the posters and the missing woman.
The media responds to this public interest by looking into the disappearance in greater depth, interviewing people, following every development and publishing stories to feed the public’s interest. Her story becomes well known and is referenced in stories of other disappearances.
Over the years that follow, there are many reminders - return trips by her family, changes in the reward, publicity on significant dates (birthday, anniversary of her disappearance), etc. The public continues to be reminded of her disappearance.
However, the people around the other missing person follow a more standard route - leaving the investigation to authorities with limited resources and multiple priorities. There are no posters on every corner, huge rewards and constant public reminders. Other things enter the public’s consciousness. Some may briefly wonder if the person was ever found, but most forget in a brief time.
The first situation describes the disappearance of Nicole Hoar.
Sadly, most the other women listed as victims of the “Highway of Tears” fall into the second category.
I applaud Nicole’s family and friends for their tireless efforts to get some answers. Like the proverbial squeaky wheel, the noise they made continues to bring attention to her disappearance.
However, these efforts are ignored when people say the difference in public interest is either a mystery (Citizen article, May 9, “Treeplanters join renewed search for Nicole Hoar“) or, a more common accusation, racist (Neil Godbout’s Night Shift column “When it comes to caring about victims, looks are everything”).
The answer is simple. The media attention is a result of a well-run campaign by determined individuals. Let’s avoid the negative spin. The focus should be on ensuring that no other family has to endure this type of tragedy.
-- R. Buckman
Prince George
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 08 October 2008 )
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