Firearms are easier to obtain than peace, or at least that’s what I’ve been told. Living in a world of independence and freedom has ironically created walls and barriers.
Because of the detrimental events that have occurred throughout our nation from Columbine to Parkland, a lack of compassion has become the norm. It feels as though we have become immune to tragedy.
As of 2018, there have been 18 school shootings which have caused damage, pain, and detachment not only to the communities and families affected, but also various states within our country.
Although people can see a shooter as a terrorist, viewing them as someone different and foreign, they are in fact just as you and I are: human.
Many of us want to detach from those who don’t seem to fit into society, the ones they view as “insane, mental, or psychotic,” yet it’s known that we all are human, thus, we all have our flaws.
I am in no way excusing an action such as shooting and killing students, but as we’re lead to believe in the news, the “solution” for all the chaos in the world, in America, can’t just be gun-control. Likewise, the “solution,” can’t simply be law regulations or higher security.
There might be a simpler solution: The ideology of love and understanding. Yes, I know this sounds as if I switched the channel from the Hunger Games to Hallmark, but I promise I have my reasons.
I won’t be the person shouting, telling the masses that I know the formula to tranquility, but I’ll admit that we live in a world of high drama and complexity. A possible way to deal with the violence is understanding that at the core, we are all similar.
Before many of the school shootings, including that of Parkland, there were “warning signs.” It has been reported that the shooter showed signs of homicidal and suicidal behaviors, depression and mental issues.
At first thought, it might seem as if shooters are alien and indifferent. But where do motives and actions come from? They derive from one’s upbringing and personal understanding. Someone of a different nationality, sexuality, or background can be viewed as someone completely different and (for some) dangerous. But take away the natural differences that set us apart, and then, you’ll find an individual like you and I.
We all have evil within us. When looking in the mirror, we are able to see our own darkness no matter what we show to the world. With intense emotions and personal conflicts, we’re all capable of causing havoc, yet I’m sure you and your friends don’t plan horrific plots. Why? Because you have an attachment to humanity.
Rather than viewing shooters as inhuman, having an understanding in humanity could link us closer, causing relationships and fellowship. We all have our demons to deal with, yet with the right support and understanding, how different do you think our world would be?