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Ending School Shootings: A Light for All
Reflecting upon recent tragedies.
All over, people have been pained and stricken with violence and tragedies that have shaken the world. Groups such as the KKK, originating in the 1920s, one of the prime forces of prejudice and racism in the US, has been outdone by the group ISIS. A global terror group wreaking havoc throughout the entire world. There seems to be evil everywhere no matter where you go. Even just in the US there is plenty happening. One such issue that has been very prevalent is school shootings. In just 2018 alone, roughly 7 weeks (as of February 16), there have been 8 school shooting that have killed or injured people. That is roughly a shooting a week injuring and taking people’s lives. That statistic alone is chilling and scary. We, as students at Calvert Hall, are lucky that we live and learn in an environment in which there are resources, friends, peers, teachers, counselors, etc. that care with all their hearts. My engineering teacher Mr. Stewart said in class that he “would drop everything that second if he could help someone, [save a life, make someone feel wanted, cared for, and loved].” This quote and Mr. Stewart exemplify what I enjoy so much about Calvert Hall. He, like many others, is an excellent example of being a light for all. There are people that truly care for others and are willing to help others at whatever cost all over the place. This is exactly what a brotherhood should be and is present at Calvert Hall.
These tragedies are in part due to teenagers who can’t seem to find a way to properly express their negative emotions. With social media reigning supreme in our lives, not only is our public life available to scrutiny, but now our private life is just as accessible.
Since Columbine there have been 25 fatal school shootings, not including the countless shootings that have injured many. Shootings at Columbine High (1999), Deming Middle (1999), Buell Elementary (2000), Lake Worth Middle (2000), Santana High (2001), Red Lion Area Junior High (2003), Rocori High (2003), Red Lake High (2003), Campbell County Comprehensive High (2005), Essex Elementary (2006), Weston High (2005), West Nickel Mines (2006), Millard South High (2011), Chardon High (2012), Sandy Hook Elementary (2012), Sparks Middle (2013), Arapahoe High (2013), Reynolds High (2014), Marysville-Pilchuck High (2014), Independence High (2016), Townville Elementary (2016), North Park Elementary (2017), Freeman High (2017), Marshall County High (2018), and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High (2018) have affected all people in so many different ways.
Through all the countless tragedies, many heroes have emerged. They have proven to everyone that good people do exist. That GOOD in general exists. An example of this good is Greg Zanis. He has been a light to thousands on thousands of people. In the news a little while ago, a Las Vegas shooter killed 58 people and injured 851 from a hotel room shooting into a crowd attending a concert. Mr. Zanis made 58 white crosses to resemble and honor the 58 victims whose lives were taken away. He has done this for multiple other occurrences and he has made hundreds, uplifting the spirits of those affected and being a huge, shining light of goodness for all. He is said to make at least 20 crosses a week. According to the Chicago Reader, he “doesn’t see it as macabre. Doesn't think it suggests he's waiting for people to die. He says he's simply making sure he's ready to offer people an act of kindness.” These incredible acts of kindness prove to the world that tragedies such as shootings, won’t completely bring our country down.
Just recently amidst a tragedy in Florida, heroes named Aaron Feis and Scott Beigel died protecting the lives of multiple students. They were both putting the students lives over theirs and making sure they were safe before anything. Mr. Beigel helped the last student into his room as he was shot and killed in the doorway. Mr. Feis was shot multiple times as he took bullets for his students. They both died protecting others which shows their kind hearts and how they must’ve believed it was the right thing to do. People like them are true lights to all even if they aren’t here anymore.
I believe the challenge in the world today is to understand in such a social age that we are all connected in some way. We all have a certain duty to put others before ourselves and to care for all no matter what. We should strive to help, to care, and to love. If we can all try to make people smile, be appreciative and kind, and most importantly, try to be a light for all, the world will be soaring in the only direction it should be. Up.
Thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims, their families, friends, and relatives.
