What I Learned
I realized that a lot of what I thought were facts about mass shootings, is actually completely false. I had not realized how much I was being influenced by the image social media and news outlets were painting in regards to mass shootings. Things like how frequently mass shootings occur, the best preventative methods, and the negative influence our media has on the perpetuation of mass shootings. Also, the warning signs mass shooters exhibit, and the danger of generalizing those characteristics too broadly. It truly shocked me how wrong I was about the leading events to a mass shooting, and the aftermath of them. Mass shootings, although rare, are extremely tragic and unimaginably painful events. And what I had not realized before was how little focus and attention our news outlets give the victims and the victims' families of these events. Those who have suffered through these unimaginable tragedies are not receiving the proper support from the government, the public, and the m...
