After
watching “Bowling for Columbine,” I talked with my mom and asked what she
remembered hearing when this horrendous event occurred. The shooters didn’t
just shoot anyone at Columbine, but asked each victim whether they were a
Christian, athlete, or of a different ethnicity. My mom remembers hearing about
two girls in particular that were killed. One was a girl named Rachel. Everyone
knew her as the girl who made every person welcome. She was a Christian, very
involved with her youth group and fellowship of Christians at her school. She
was the kind of person who didn’t leave anyone feeling left out. She was even
acquaintances with one of the shooters. However, she was the very first target.
Her parents found her diary after she passed away. Rachel had mentioned that
she wanted some meaning to come out of her life. Her family created a program
called Rachel’s Challenge, a program that equips students to bring positive
change in there schools around the country. This program has helped
students to not only include others and bond with their peers, but to give
assistance to those students who think they are not worthy enough to live. In
addition, there was another girl named Cassie who had also been asked if she
was a Christian. She stood up for her faith. Michael W. Smith, a very famous
Christian song writer and singer, wrote a song in her memory called “This is
your time.” This tragic school shooting killed and injured many students and teachers.
However, there was a positive that came out of it all. Schools developed new
ways and technology to keep students safer.
Ever
since that morning, on April of 1999 at Columbine High school, there have been
numerous school shootings and other tragic deaths. According to the movie,
there are 11,127 deaths in America from guns, more than any other country. Many
say that it’s because of America’s history of violence, the mixed ethnicity, or
even the problems that our country encountered with civil rights in the very
beginning. Even though this is a major problem in our Country, we have to view
having the guns is not the whole issue that is at hand. The gun isn’t the “one”
who pulls the trigger, the person does. They fear what could happen. Some of
this fear was shown in the movie, from the 911 attacks to other shootings that
caused Americans to not trust one another. In order to feel safe, even in their
own home, they feel like they have to have a gun loaded and ready for anyone
who threatens them.
Some people also do not have the mental
stableness to be able to have this huge responsibility. We all have to view
each individual as a human being who knows and feels pain--we are all equal. In
the New York’s newspaper article we read, about Japan’s 4 rules and laws to own
a gun, I believe they are on the right track as to what the steps are to
require such a weapon. Japan has each individual attend classes, pass a written
test, a drug test and a background check. The question arises for a similar issue, why
do we go through so many obstacles to be able to drive a motorized vehicle? In
Virginia I had to drive for 40 hours practicing with a parent, drive with an instructor
around a course and on the main roads for 2 hours at a time for a whole week,
and go to a court hearing for 4 hours, instructions on how a car can be
dangerous and to be used responsibly. I feel as though these issues are very
similar, and a type of process America should be taking.
