About the Chandra Levy murder. It was horrendous crime. Thank goodness a resolution will be coming soon.
Yet, second crime was committed when the Washington Post placed under "most viewed articles" "Illegal Immigrant to Be Charged With Chandra Levy Murder" - While it is true that the man charged is undocumented... this title insinuates that undocumented people are often wild criminals, which is completely not true.
Once you click the link to the real article you find a different title:
Warrant Is Issued for Suspect in Levy Killing
Man Is in U.S. Prison For Attacking Women In Rock Creek Park
The section "most viewed articles" has the purpose of luring people to read popular articles. Is it necessary to use a terms that encourages false stereotypes in order to get readers to see something? Guandique may have killed Levy, but as has been mentioned numerous times in this blog... the crime rate among undocumented immigrants is miniscule compared to U.S. citizens and residents. When the WaPo lists an article with "illegal immigrant charged..." the newspaper is using inflammatory language.
update: Wednesday, March 4, 2009, the "most viewed articles" has changed the link to "Warrant is Issued in Levy Killing." --- good move.
see dreamacttexas posts "Labels, Stereotypes, and Crime," February 21, 2009
and "The Myth of Immigrant Criminality," November 17, 2008.
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