Waco

Last week’s class about the Waco was one of the most eye-opening topics we’ve covered. Before this, I had never heard of anything that occurred in 1993, but learning how it marked a turning point in both American media and culture really stood out to me. For the first time, Americans could watch live footage of a national crisis unfold in real time through CNN. It was the beginning of 24/7 coverage, and the Waco siege became more than an event. It became a shared national experience, with everyone reacting together as it happened. Yesterday, I was even discussing this class and Waco with my Honors Advisor, and she even mentioned how she remembers being in high school and watching the live footage. 

Jeff Guin, who has published 20+ books, was very knowledgeable on the topic, and I enjoyed hearing from him. Jeff talked about their beliefs and isolation, and how David Koresh (originally Vernon Howell) convinced his followers he was both the next Cyrus and the “Lamb” from the Book of Revelation. Additionally, we learned that the Branch Davidians lived under such extreme control, such as eating only what David Koresh told them, using buckets for bathrooms, and preparing for a final battle with “Babylon” (the U.S. government).

What struck me most was how easily charismatic leaders like Koresh, or others such as Jim Jones and Charles Manson, could convince people they alone had the answers. “I alone can solve this problem,” is often stated, and outside voices are rejected. This still even appears today in different forms. The Waco siege, the rise of CNN, and later events like January 6, 2021, all show how media, belief, and leadership can intertwine in powerful ways. The number of connections and impact Waco made was astounding to me, and I had no idea about the ripple effect Waco made and is still making today.