Spring Break
Guns are not the answer
MARCUS HELEKER
Opinion Writer
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Opinion
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What causes these massacres or, more precisely, what creates these killers? Do we blame psychosis or mental illness? Do we blame parental neglect or extreme bullying? Maybe we should blame ourselves.
While they were once unpredictable and isolated instances, school shootings have become much more frequent and deadly. Psychosis and mental illness, while still definitely a factor, no longer seem enough of an explanation. Parental neglect and extreme bullying are present in many of the shootings, but still don't seem to be the root of the problem. The source of the problem must be deeper, in the structure of American culture itself. After all, this is not a problem in the rest of the world. There have been more than twice as many school-related shootings in the U.S. than in the rest of the world.
One common theme in most, if not all, cases is the idea of the "outsider." Every killer feels they've been a victim of some injustice or another and somehow comes to the conclusion that violence and/or suicide is the only solution available. This feeling of outsider-ness is something that everyone faces at some point and is not itself the problem. The problem is the cultural norms that create, prolong and intensify this feeling of outsider-ness and the way it is romanticized and idealized by the media.
Cultural norms are exactly what they sound like, behaviors and reactions that are normal in a given culture. In America, the norm in most settings is to be as polite as possible while respecting everyone's privacy and personal space.
This can create a pervasive feeling of isolationism for individuals or small groups without means to directly interact with other people. If you don't think this is true, try to start a prolonged conversation with a stranger in an elevator, sitting in close proximity to a stranger on a bench or make steady eye contact with someone you don't know.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
lauran
posted 2/19/08 @ 10:09 AM MST
While you are studying what creates these nutjobs, delving into their childhood to find causes for their behavior, I'll be blowing them away, preventing them from killing idiots like you. (Continued…)
marcus wiliam heleker
posted 2/19/08 @ 10:56 AM MST
I am sorry to reply so directly, but unless you are speaking of preemptive murder, there will still be two casualties. The killer and at least one victim will invariably die. (Continued…)
lauran
posted 2/19/08 @ 12:35 PM MST
I don't mind if you reply directly - no offense there.
I will say, that as someone who also values human life, I would rather kill the shooter, than they kill the entire classroom plus professor. (Continued…)
Fasting
posted 2/19/08 @ 6:40 PM MST
I think that these medications contribute to things like this happening. They supress the symptoms. He was on one but stopped taking it before the murders. (Continued…)
Gitmo
posted 2/19/08 @ 6:52 PM MST
Your Quote: "What causes these massacres or, more precisely, what creates these killers? Do we blame psychosis or mental illness? Do we blame parental neglect or extreme bullying? Maybe we should blame ourselves. (Continued…)
JB
posted 2/19/08 @ 8:00 PM MST
Your article was horrible. Not just based on the content alone but also on the writing. It was complete drivel and you are dead wrong on so many levels. (Continued…)
Matthew
Matthew
posted 2/21/08 @ 1:54 PM MST
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away'
As can be seen from the recent shootings at campuses across America, gun free zones do nothing but create a safe environment for a would-be serial killer. (Continued…)
Stephen
posted 2/21/08 @ 4:49 PM MST
Gitmo, your post:
"What a load of hogwash. Since you brought up "drivel" I'll be happy to say your comments qualify. How in the world can even a close minded imbecile like yourself consider the garbage spew in the article "decently written"?
You want those carrying to be trained? Then insist on a university, on campus, sponsored course. (Continued…)
Willow
posted 2/21/08 @ 8:03 PM MST
Stephen, your quote
"If guns were to be allowed on campus I would certainly hope that extra training be required even for licensed individuals. However, I think that it would make more sense for security guards on campus to carry weapons instead. (Continued…)
Mack Schultz
posted 2/22/08 @ 12:01 AM MST
Stephen, You are completely wrong in your statement "Statistics back up the obvious fact that the more guns there are, the more violence there is." It is a fact that the presence of guns in the hands of law abiding individuals actually lowers the possibility of Violence. (Continued…)
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