I visited Columbine High School a few weeks ago, the school outside of Denver where in 1999 two students shot and killed over a dozen classmates. It really got me thinking about a favorite American topic: violence. We are a very violent animal, by far the most dangerous. After Columbine, I looked at where many people placed the blame. Was it Marilyn Manson, the parents, crazy kids? Or was it something right in front of our eyes, something scarier than any level of hell Dante could imagine?
On the day Columbine happened, President Clinton sent off more missiles overseas than any other day that decade. But of course, those missiles were nowhere to be seen on the news after Columbine, cause who cares when hundreds of foreigners die, when a dozen AMERICANS died! At least that seems to be the frame of mind in our country. The most Christianized civilization left, and possibly the most selfish and conceited. Coincidence?
Try it out, turn on the news and see the stories. Madonna remaking herself (again), a man missing in Oklahoma, U2’s new tour update. Now look at the bottom of the screen in that small, ignored print. 15 killed in Iraq. 7 Russians go missing. Ambush leaves 12 dead in Beijing. What happened to every person deserves life and liberty? When did it change to every AMERICAN?
And as far as the blame go, violent outbursts that leave small mountain towns like Littleton Colorado bewildered, are usually incredibly easy to find the cause. They listened to Marilyn Manson, but so do I and I’ve never shot up my class. They were stressed with high school graduation, but so are thousands of teens this time of year. So what was it?
Lets try this for size: How many times could people push you away, ignore you, and treat you as their shit’s pet before you retaliated? How much mental abuse and you handle before you change your view of humanity? Perhaps people of such strong violence are not insane, but neglected. Maybe that kid you ignore tomorrow morning, is thinking of suicide? Would you stop and say hello? Or maybe the lady sitting alone next to you is thinking of killing her abusive husband tonight. Would you buy her coffee? We read these stories every day, and we understand how much a small hello and smile can do, yet we refuse to do it.
My last point is pointing out that violence is in our American blood. The crucifix is the greatest mass market piece of merchandise ever sold. Perhaps there’s one around your neck as you read this, or one on your wall? Stop and think of it. When you look at the man hanging on a cross on your door, its speaks more than decoration. It speaks of human sacrifice, homicidal slaughter, hatred, betrayal, and violence of the highest nature. It is engraved in our minds, in our world as we walk, and cannot be avoided. So maybe, just maybe, when violence occurs on a media stage, instead of thinking who’s fault it is, look in the mirror.
I was asked by a high school friend to hang out after school. He wasn’t on the baseball team with me, and didn’t have a girlfriend on the cheer squad, so hanging out with him could be devastating to my popularity. Without hesitation, I declined.
The next week he was found with a bullet through his temple.
I do not blame myself, obviously, but I can’t help but wonder, what could I have done? Who would have thought hanging out with him was his call to save his life? You never know what the person next to you is thinking or going through, so do me a favor..: Stop reading for a sec, look up around you, and smile at whoevers near. Did they smile back? If you’re alone, pick up your phone and text someone. Just ask how there day’s going, and wish em a good evening. If you don’t have a phone, then get outa the 1940’s and catch up.
Let’s stop blaming other outlets and realize until we make small efforts to intervene in peoples’ lives, violence will only escalate. There is a logical reason why suicide rates rise as people become more isolated. Let’s fix it.
Daily Drew 