Violence will stop violence
Another school shooting, this time in Houston. One teacher, 9 students killed. Very sad. I may be in the minority in thinking we need to consider:
I am well aware that us humans have been responding to violence with violence for as long as we have been recording history. Whether the violence is against property or people, us humans have believed that other humans will permanently change their behavior if one uses more force/violence.
Today, guns and material for bombs or other methods of mass destruction are more available. Today it is easier than ever to connect with others who are thinking that violence is a good or appropriate way to gain attention, deal with one’s pent up rage or prove to the bully that they will not be bullied again.
I am well aware that nothing anyone does is going to end all physical, sexual or other emotional violence. I do, however, think that positive leaders who model alternatives to violence can make a significant difference. I also think:
There are no easy answers. We do know, however, that more anger, guns and violence is not going to reduce mass shootings or other incidences of violence. We also know no one consciously chooses to have a mind which is unable to love or consider the needs of others. Some of us can, however, be intentional about doing our part to create a world which is safer and approaches issues with empathy and compassion.
Written May 19, 2018
Another school shooting, this time in Houston. One teacher, 9 students killed. Very sad. I may be in the minority in thinking we need to consider:
- Gun control – limiting people who have easy access to guns.
- Gun control – limiting the number of guns which are manufactured.
- Local and national leaders finding non-violent ways of dealing with difficult situations.
- Local and national leaders modeling respect for all people regardless of differences in race, nationalities, sexual orientation, gender or other factors.
I am well aware that us humans have been responding to violence with violence for as long as we have been recording history. Whether the violence is against property or people, us humans have believed that other humans will permanently change their behavior if one uses more force/violence.
Today, guns and material for bombs or other methods of mass destruction are more available. Today it is easier than ever to connect with others who are thinking that violence is a good or appropriate way to gain attention, deal with one’s pent up rage or prove to the bully that they will not be bullied again.
I am well aware that nothing anyone does is going to end all physical, sexual or other emotional violence. I do, however, think that positive leaders who model alternatives to violence can make a significant difference. I also think:
- At schools, the workplace, jails and places serving the homeless, we need to provide quality, accessible mental health service.
- We need to quit using jails as places to dump mentally ill people. No one, including mentally ill people get better in jail.
- We need to change the legal definition of who is mentally competent to stand trial and who is mentally competent to be held responsible for committing a crime. Science and not emotions can guide the new definition.
- We need safe, clean, respectful places where those who are unable to consider the needs of others can be treated with dignity and the best available health care – physical and mental – we have available.
There are no easy answers. We do know, however, that more anger, guns and violence is not going to reduce mass shootings or other incidences of violence. We also know no one consciously chooses to have a mind which is unable to love or consider the needs of others. Some of us can, however, be intentional about doing our part to create a world which is safer and approaches issues with empathy and compassion.
Written May 19, 2018
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