Chapter One: April 20th, 1999
Before reading this chapter, I only really knew the most general version of the tragedy that occured at Columbine. I never learned about the details of the school like their athletic program, or graduation rate which I realize is partly because that type of information wasn’t really being featured in the news reports and journal articles. This chapter confirmed the general series of events that took place that day which is the extent of my knowledge regarding Columbine before taking this class. That and who the victims were which I learned from multiple memorials that were held for them at my old high school. However, this chapter taught me details about that day that I had not heard of from other sources. These details, although of course gruesome and hard to imagine, I feel are necessary to learn in order to know what exactly that school had to endure as well as to be able to learn from their security measures for future schools. I had not known about the attitude of the shooters as they hurt others, or the actions of the students and teachers who had been injured. It was quite difficult to be honest to read all the way through. Which made me realize just how difficult it must be for the ones studying these events in order to find a solution for them. That leads me to the next piece of information this chapter has taught me. The lessons that were learned from April 20, 1999.
I found every lesson that could be learned from this event is important because each one plays a role in lessening the chances of another tragedy occurring. That being said, I feel as if the lessons that were learned in the long term are ones that should be studied extra carefully, as these are the lessons that will contribute the most insight in how to stop shootings like these from happening. This includes the changes law enforcement has made to better respond to any future shootings, the changes in school security including new technology being left in the school and new lockdown drills, and one of the most important lessons, detecting possible warning signs the shooters displayed before deciding to act. The reason I think the last mentioned lesson is so important is because it pertains to a solution of mass shootings that stops a tragedy from happening before anyone gets hurt. Just like how gun control could be a way to prohibit from a shooting occurring in the first place. While the other lessons pertain to how to best respond to a shooting that’s happening. I feel it is important for all schools to research these events and try to provide their schools with the most effective game plan in response to an event like this, as well as educate all staff members about the warning signs a student or even a staff member may be displaying. Lastly, I learned the importance of remembering the victims of events like these to express respect and the sorrow we have for them and their loved ones.
Schildkraut, J., & Muschert, G. W. (2019). Columbine, 20 years later and beyond: Lessons from tragedy. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.
First off, I really like how you put a picture of the victims because they need to be remembered. Before reading the chapter, I really only knew the broad story also but I didn't know about the details of the school and their statistics. Learning about what happened that day is so hard because you just don't understand why it happened or what led to the shooters to get into that frame of mind. But it is also hard because of the fact that some of these school shootings could have been prevented. There were a lot of warning signs that were not seen and taken into account. When you go back and read about it you realize that. A big lesson learned from this day is that we need changes within our schools and law enforcement to be able to go into these types of situations more prepared and hopefully make the amount of casualties go down. Lockdown drills are a good idea, but when a school shooting occurs most of the time the shooter is a student. They know where everyone is going to be because they have practiced it just like all of the other students. There should be more put in place to keep schools safer and to hopefully prevent these from happening.
ReplyDeleteI also did not realize what a successful school columbine was. They had an amazing graduation rate, prided themselves on athletic achievements and was an all around good school. Secondly I appreciate that you put up pictures of the victims because their faces should never be forgotten. I found the vivid details of the shooting very chilling to read but as you said they are necessary to learn about because it brings you into what actually happened that day. You brought up lockdown drills and I remember having to do lockdown drills in my high school at least once a month. It's a good and necessary procedure to practice just in case an emergency ever happens. Schools need to be prepared for anything.
ReplyDeleteSame for me Grace, I only new the jist of the story on what happen but not the details of Columbine Shooting. I feel as though the shooters when they were committing their crimes was a power trap as they wanted to prove that god wasn't in power but Dylan and Eric were the ones who were in charge. I feel as though that this will be an ongoing problem that will never be fix because no one wants to fix it because it involves money and time to put restrictions against mass shootings. Over all I greatly enjoyed your post. Great job!
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