With the many shootings which have happened, such as the Jonesboro, Parkland, and Santa Fe school massacres, it has been placed on my heart to write about something which needs to be discussed but, sadly, isn’t by many. It should be no surprise that bullying is almost always a factor in the uptick of school shootings, which have plagued our country for the last twenty years. Before we go any further, let me remind you that being bullied, no matter how severe, is absolutely no excuse for taking human lives, and I would never condone such an action!
However, many shooters have been victims of bullying, who were pushed to the breaking point. They finally snapped after many years of relentless and repetitive abuse by their peers and being rebuffed by school staff in their attempts to report bullying incidences and get help. Therefore, they resort to bringing a gun to school and leaving death and mayhem in their wake! The shooters then turn the gun on themselves to avoid prison, and the end result is that families and loved ones on both sides and entire communities are left devastated!
One such example is the Columbine Shooting in April of 1999. I have read many articles about this particular case. It was stated by many experts that the perpetrators, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, had for years been bullied outcasts, who’d only gotten fed up with the continuous negative treatment and finally went into a rage and lashed out, as have so many other victims since then. Again, I cannot stress enough how wrong and counterproductive bringing a gun to school really is! However, I believe there is something we’re missing here- the issue of mental health and bullying, which often leads to these tragedies.
Before the pandemic, school shootings had become so common that they’d become a political issue and fodder for the agendas of both the left and the right wings, with the left pushing for gun control and the right’s push to arm teachers and tighten school security. Although these certainly are legitimate issues that need to be addressed before the end of the pandemic and schools are fully functional again, it seems that almost no one is discussing the root cause of these shootings- bullying and/or mental health.
I believe that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”! Perhaps if we reach these bullied and at-risk youth and show them that they are not alone and that they matter just like everyone else, we will be able to save them from the possibility of becoming violent and, ultimately, bring down these horribly high statistics! I will explain this in more detail in part two.
True! As you said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, bullying can destroy lives. It’s time parents and teachers should educate their kids about its side-effects and to be a good citizen.
Thank you so much! 💖 I agree! 💯
I used to fantasize about shooting everyone back in the 70s before it became popular
Yikes! It’s a good thing you got past those fantasies! Though I understand the pain you must’ve been going through, I’m so glad you found the strength to never carry those fantasies out.
Aptly put! If we show them love and kindness perhaps they will come to respect themselves instead of resenting society and causing destruction.
Thank you for a great read, yet again!
My pleasure, Simone. I always deeply appreciate your feedback. 💖🌺🌹
Of course! Your written words are a piece of art and I immensely enjoy reading them.
Much appreciated. Thank you! 😊🤗
We are living in such a different world than the one I grew up in. When I reflected on why people don’t speak up and say something when they see something, there is so much to that than what we see and know. Yet while these things were absolutely senseless and horrific, we can’t allow bullies who fan the diabolical flames that create such detestable acts with their brash and loud voices to continue getting a free get out of jail card. 🤨
There have been situations I’ve faced (but this isn’t about me) exposing a growing problem where people have been abused so horrifically until they snap. Yet, it’s painful that so many innocent people are murdered and why? We always ask why and yet we all too often don’t understand the logic. Sometimes, like the weekend shootings, especially in places of worship, it’s so painful and heartbreaking and incomprehensible. Too many lives were lost and too many people were wounded senselessly. Thanks so much for sharing your perspective on this Cherie. It’s a hard conversation, but one to be had. 😥🙏🏼💖
You’re so right, Kym. It’s a MUCH different world than the one we grow up in! I read about the shooting in NY over the weekend and it absolutely breaks my heart for the people shot and their loved ones! How anyone can hold so much hatred to go into a church and shoot people on the basis of race, I’ll never understand. 💔💔💔And the guy who committed this evil act didn’t do it because he was driven to it by bullying, no! He did it because of hate! Pure, raw hate! I just don’t understand that kind of thing! It’s completely senseless!
I do believe that we have a parenting problem nowadays. Back when we were growing up, if we misbehaved, there were harsh consequences we would face and we understood that. We would’ve gotten our butts whipped right off our backs and grounded for the rest of our natural lives! Today, and, for the last thirty years, however, parents don’t and haven’t disciplined their children like ours did us. And when there’s lack of consequences for bad behavior, there grows a lack of respect for humanity. This is not to say that all of today’s parents don’t discipline their children because there are a few who still do. However, the majority of today’s parent’s try to be their kid’s BFF and not a parent. My mother once said, “You have to be a parent first, then a friend later.” I think society has got this all backwards.
My heart is heavy and I pray for everyone who was hurt by this past weekend’s tragedy! 💔😭
Oh my goodness Cherie, my heart breaks of these senseless tragedies that never seems to let up. 💔😥🙏🏼 It’s so emotional to even think about. I can’t imagine shopping with my mother in the store only to have someone so vicious gun her down right by me and not know a thing about her with the exception of her skin tone. 😣
Honey, bullying is one thing, but hatred takes heinous acts to a whole new level. I just don’t get why girl. My heart is broken too Cherie. 😭😩😢 This seems to an all too regular occurrence, especially with the church too. 🕍 So sad, and depressing in a state of high-velocity anger. Keep praying girlfriend. 🙏🏼💖🙏🏼
I sure will, sweetie! We all need to pray because the Devil is hard at work and he’s hungry for more! I believe racism and racial hatred are products of the Devil! Only love and truth can defeat these curses! Christians of all races must strick together to fight this hate and division through prayer! 💖
What a timely and wise post! Another angle of the bullying issue is the pain, anxiety and fear that the bullied person’s family and siblings go through as well- the frustration and anger that builds up in the bullied child or teen also affects their relationships at home-
bullying siblings, disrespect to parents- and / or parents and siblings fear of what may happen if it doesn’t stop. It goes on and on! Thank you for this post!
You’re most welcome! 💖 And you’re so right about the effects on family. Thank you for adding this! 🌺🌷
You hit the nail on the head Cherie. Mental health is never factored in when tragedies like those happen. At the very most, it is only used to brand the shooter an insane nutjob when there is much more to it.
Absolutely, Michael! 💯 They treat mental illness like some dirty little secret to be kept hidden! Thank you so much
Your post inspired me.
Thank you so much, Michael! I’m do glad it did! 😊😊😊
this is a brilliant piece! As a student myself, I agree with the fact that the mental health problems those being bullied have are not always leaning towards being suicidal, but also towards extreme violence. This read was very insightful ! Thankyou !
You’re most welcome! 💖💐🌹And thank you for your kind input! 😊🤗