The Divide Between True Crime Media and Historical Representations

Why do so many people take an issue with true crime media like the new Dahmer series on Netflix, but are completely fine with movies, TV shows, and other media about historical monsters like Hitler, Stalin, and Catherine the Great? This question has been a topic of discussion for quite some time, with many wondering about the underlying reasons for this discrepancy.

Recent Events vs. Historical Context

From a purely logical standpoint, the reason many are uncomfortable with the Dahmer series could be attributed to the more recent nature of Dahmer's crimes compared to those of historical figures like Hitler and Stalin. My personal stance is that I don't have an issue with the Dahmer series. In fact, I find it quite interesting, especially given that the murders occurred approximately three decades before my birth. At the time of the Dahmer murders in the early to mid-1990s, I was just two years old and the victims' families likely still have living relatives who experienced the tragedy and trauma firsthand. It's understandable why they might not be fond of a show that revisits this painful memory.

Emotional and Psychological Resonance

The victims' families of Dahmer’s murders are still alive, and even if they don’t watch the show, they are reminded again of the shock and horror. Dahmer’s cannibalism and bizarre experiments with victim's remains undoubtedly haunt their memories. Having this disturbing content played out in detail in such a way must be jarring and emotionally taxing for them.

Historical Perceptions of Authority Figures

On the other hand, historical figures like Hitler, Stalin, and Catherine the Great are often portrayed in a context that makes their atrocities more manageable. In American culture, dictatorships are generally portrayed as inherently awful. The portrayal of Hitler and Stalin in particular often emphasizes their oppressive regimes, mass killings, and the destruction they brought to societies. This context makes their depictions more distanced and detached, which may not provoke the same level of visceral reaction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the divide between true crime media and historical representations largely stems from the emotional and psychological impact of revisiting recent tragedies versus the more distant and contextualized portrayal of historical events. The Dahmer series, with its detailed and harrowing depiction of real-life crimes, stands in stark contrast to the often-distant and collectively vilified historical figures. The varying emotional responses to these different forms of media highlight the complex ways in which we process and remember the past.