Honestly, I don’t have a lot of knowledge on this topic, but lately it has weighed deeply on my mind.
Particularly after viewing Micheal Moore’s Bowling for Columbine.
It was a concern prior to the documentary, but the facts were things I neglected to dig up and study. I just basically didn’t care enough to research.
Though recently the shootings in America are happening more and more on an everyday basis.
Now this is all today! Today!
Just as a comparison, Canada, in 2006 was down in gun murders from 2005 to a mere 605. Just citing the examples above, we surpass that immensely.
As I said, stats are not my forte, so my question is;
What the hell causes the US to get so gun happy?
I mean, the guy in Missouri was mad at the city council, the mayor to be more specific. The woman that shot two other women in Baton Rouge, well the news doesn’t really have much info but suffice it to say, I can imagine nothing was so intense that a human had to be shot and killed. I would guess, that since this was a student at a ‘nursing’ college, a love triangle may be the thread.
My theories of why the US has a higher murder-by-gun (MBG) rate are varied. Take a moment to view these short clips below from Bowling for Columbine.
The settlement of America was/is based on violence and domination
Our forefathers came over here because they were oppressed in the situation they were in to begin with, yet oppressed others in the same manner of those they were running from. Ironic huh?
Just an observation, but, usually a battered child has severe issues later on in life, whether they are outward or suppressed, these are serious issues and they could also be related to a group of people as well.
Frustration and fear being disseminated by the government
It is so easy to lay blame elsewhere. Accountability is at an all time low. Whatever happened to the ‘Cherry Tree’ theory.
It is so easy to blame external influences on why little Johnny cant read. Instead of parents looking at themselves, they hide from their own inadequacies as a parent or the sins of their past that they are to afraid to admit, not even to themselves.
The accountability factor is really the main issue, loss of freedom isn’t that scary since most people do not feel free to begin with anymore. They are a slave to their job, this government and to societies lofty expectations. And they feed them these false expectations to sell crap to keep them a slave to their income.
And in a way MM is correct that nobody is listening anymore, everyone wants to be heard but those in power are to busy being daddy, that they make it harder and harder for a citizens voice to be heard.
When a child is fed up he throws a tantrum.
And before you say anything about music as an influence, don’t.
That is not for us to discuss, that is for you and your children to ponder.
The same as church, sex and what video games to purchase.
The ease of access to weapons despite the diluted gun laws
The current gun laws are to isolate who gains access via background checks etc… So why are most of these MBG being committed by criminals? The portion that are not criminals can gain access to just about anything they want, when ever they want. So wouldn’t it be safe to say that these laws do not work? Besides, these non-criminals usually take their own lives.
The word I am huntin’ for is inconsistency, another poor child rearing technique.
Societal bullying towards those that are different or fragile
This always reminds me of those coming of age movies from the ’80s where the nice, respectful geek gets picked on by the jocks. In the movie, he finds some sort of revenge without bloodshed.
Bloodshed by the meek is and will be more predominate in our news, locally and nationally. Not due to the movies, but to the commercials with the hunky guy on the beach drinkin’ beer with the hot girls as an example of what is important in society. Being rich and cool. The media blasts of no matter how stupid Brittany acts, she still garners more coverage than a 16 year old from Iowa who has created a new operating system or concerto.
The previous paragraph is not laying blame but merely stating that this behavior is what is deemed cool and for a teen that is a very important aspect of acceptance. An illusionary aspect of acceptance, but an aspect to them.
Having a venue to show your wares as a child without being cruelly criticized does not exist. Not for everyone. Children should be taught that honest criticism is healthy.
In Closing;
I seem to treat society as a child in my theories here, but doesn’t society act like one.
They want to be free but they want to be taken care of. When they are told what to do they rebel.
The issue we are faced with will never be solved, it will have to be amended somehow. The problem isn’t gun control and thinking that it is the problem is the problem.
No matter where you go, there you are…
I don’t have that answer right now but I will tell you this…
Parents need to quit coddling the children, but temper that release with knowledge and love.
This compassion and respect will echo into our future.
It was very fortuitous that Moore had those videos on his website…saved me a lot of typing!
Many Thanks to him and his crew.