Beginning Opinions
Our generation is not new to tragedy, as many of us were born into a world filled with fear. Growing up after a mass shooting would occur, all I would remember is a day of silence. Too often I remember a middle school day where we start the day in remembrance. When I was old enough to comprehend the loss and fear attached to mass shootings, I was left in utter disbelief after hearing about the latest tragedy. I felt unsure of how to help the victims of these incidents other than some prayers. But after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, once the shock subsided, I was determined to find out why and how this was able to happen at all. Like the rest of the public, I was desperate for answers, so I researched these events during my high school junior year. I found the incredible disproportionate amount of deaths from gun violence in the U.S compared to other wealthy countries. With the unbelievable ranking of “28th-highest rate of deaths from gun violence in the world” (Aizenman & Silver, 2019). Although mass shootings are not uniquely an American phenomenon, this is a problem we face more than many other countries. No matter if they occur in America or other countries, mass shootings are an incredibly significant problem, as is any event that results in unnecessary loss of life.
2019 was a year filled with lockdown practices in school. With each lockdown, something new was added and taken into consideration. For example, they would set the fire alarm off so we would learn to have to stay in the building. New security cameras were installed in each hallway, as well as new locks on each entrance. This response, although necessary, only increased my fear of the occurrence of a mass shooting. Social media allowed a closer look into these tragedies more than ever before. But it has also allowed the movements against gun violence to spread awareness to thousands. Those movements and the day by day talk and action against mass shootings inspired a new hope that we could eliminate, or at the very least decrease the number of mass shootings in America.
As for why the public is so fascinated by mass shootings. I am honestly unsure. I feel as though each person has an indescribable curiosity for the dark and tragic events that happen in our society. Part of it could be disbelief that somebody could do something that terrible. And part of it could be fear. But, I feel it is necessary to understand what is going on during these tragedies so that a solution for them could be discovered.
Sources:
Aizenman, N., & Silver, M. (2019, August 05). How The U.S. Compares With Other Countries In Deaths From Gun Violence. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/08/05/743579605/how-the-u-s-compares-to-other-countries-in-deaths-from-gun-violence
Good ideas within your post! I can understand how new security measures being added in school can be anxiety-inducing, but it is essential to take these precautions. When lockdown drills are done correctly, they are not traumatic and are actually a very important part of preparing students for many types of emergencies, not just active shooters. Recognizing that these precursory steps are only to build muscle memory and allow you to only have to think minimally in an emergency may help to calm some fears. I also do not fully understand where the fascination comes from. I think the media plays a big role in society's fascination with mass shootings, as they make the coverage as dramatic and attention-grabbing as possible, making everyone want to tune in. Good blog post!
ReplyDeleteI feel that adding your own personal experiences and thoughts throughout the pass few years really added to this post. It strengthened your opinion and how you came to develop it. And it is truly sad that our generation and possibly future ones have to grow up around such devastating circumstances, as I feel every time something like this happens we slowly become less surprised and it is truly saddening. The only thing I would ask is if the chart you added includes or does not include suicide by use of a firearm in the United States?
ReplyDeleteExcellent points raised. Something that stands out in your post is about how often we have to memorialize victims. I think about this as "tragedy fatigue," where people just become numb to hearing about tragedy after tragedy. Our responses are almost programmed at this point - thoughts and prayers, demands for action, then silence. How do we break this cycle? When is enough really enough? More importantly, how have we not gotten to that point yet? I think if we can figure that out, we have a more legitimate chance of responding to mass shootings in a proactive and prevention-focused way.
ReplyDeleteI like how in this post you added your emotions and the personal experiences that you went through pertaining to this topic. When it comes to lockdown drills, I definitely agree with your viewpoint on them. Yes, they are necessary to do to be able to keep us safe if something does occur but as children and having to go through these type of drills was scary. I think the public is so fascinated by mass shootings because it is a mystery that we are trying to solve almost. No one knows why they happen or how the people get to that point of wanting to harm somebody. I also think that the past few years we have heard about them a lot because quite a few occurred. Media plays a big role in this especially. We get all of the information about these incidents from the media so naturally as you are watching you get sucked in and have so many questions about what you just heard that you want to try to figure it out.
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