HSU Hosts Panel Discussing Netflix Series Murder Mountain

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ARCATA, Ca. (KIEM) – Back in December, Netflix released a show called Murder Mountain.

It’s a show that’s created a huge buzz for Humboldt County.

“It’s important to remember that images and stories and representation of Humboldt County impact everybody that lives in Humboldt County because these images are broadcast worldwide,” Joshua Meisel, a professor of Sociology at Humboldt State University.

Murder Mountainfollows the cannabis industry in Humboldt, but also talks about the disappearance of Garrett Rodriguez.

“There’s a lot of concern that series provides perhaps a narrow story about Humboldt,” adds Meisel.

A panel of people came to discuss how the series has affected Humboldt. The panel included people who work in media, as well as those involved in the cannabis business.

“I don’t think it fairly represented the cannabis industry. I don’t think it fairly represented the Sheriff’s Office, and I don’t think it fairly represented Humboldt County in any way,” said Chrystal Ortiz, one of the panelist speakers.

The show sparked conversation.

Some say, the show only portrays one side of Humboldt.

“Its drawn light to some of the very real problems, that are in Humboldt County with illegal marijuana and some of the legal marijuana,” said Nick Vasquez, a graduate student at HSU. “On the other hand, it’s also done a lot of harm and that it’s just portraying one side of the picture.”

Murder Mountain doesn’t accurately depict Humboldt County, but it has now drawn many curious minds.

“I think that it kind of goes both ways,” says Ortiz, “I think it was bad that and that it showed us in this really negative way, but it also has a potential to bring people who are willing to look further and see what Humboldt County has to offer.”

The panel discussion is part of HSU’s annual Social Justice Summit.