Here We Go Again

Front page of The New York Times today, a photo of a teenage girl embracing her younger brother, after a student opened fire at Chardon High School outside of Cleveland, Ohio. It's been nearly 13 years since Columbine and the senseless violence continues. Our schools continue to be unsafe. T.J. Lane, a sophomore at a nearby alternative high school for "troubled" students has been identified as the shooter. His lawyer said, "By all accounts, T.J. is a fairly quiet and good kid." According, to a student in the cafeteria of Chardon High, where the shootings took place, T. J. was targeting a specific group of students.

Mike Trivisonno, a local radio host, was on the air for seven hours yesterday taking calls from people in the community, discussing what factors might have contributed to the shootings. The usual topics came up: bullying, social media, gun laws, and parenting. Mr. Trivisonno said, " It could happen anywhere and does."

He's right, it's happened over 100 times since Columbine. Discussions like the one Mr. Trivisonno had on the radio are helpful, but until we take some action, and until we are will to change our behavior, mothers will keep losing their children, and the turmoil of adolescence will continue to be resolved with violence.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Peace,

Adina

12 Years later, Does Columbine still resonate for us?

12 Years ago today, at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado,Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shot and killed 12 students and a teacher before killing themselves. They wounded 24 others.

The Brady Campaign posted on Facebook an article about how Colorado newspapers did not run an article on their front pages about the anniversary.

Has Columbine lost its relevance?

I don't think so. There have been over 80 school shootings in high schools and universities in the U.S. since April 20, 1999. And just two weeks ago, 11 students were shot and killed in an elementary school in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. 18 students were injured. America continues to export its violence to the rest of the world.

As long as there continues to be gun violence in schools, Columbine is relevant and its lessons must be remembered.

We need stronger gun laws.
We much close the gun show loophole in every state.
Parents need to take the time to talk to their children and to know what's going on in their lives.
We need to limit violent media.
We need to stop the senseless teasing and bullying that goes on in schools and on the internet.
Students must reach out to outsiders, include rather than exclude, and build kinder school communities.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the 13 victims. May you continue to heal and find joy.

To the 13 victims, wherever you are, I hope you have found the peace you deserve.

I, along with so many others, continue to work toward making a kinder, less violent world.


Cassie Bernall
Steven Curnow
Corey Depooter
Kelly Fleming
Matt Kechter
Daniel Mauser
Daniel Rohrbough
Rachel Scott
Isaiah Shoels
John Tomlin
Lauren Townsend
Kyle Velasquez
Dave Sanders