Think how many school shootings could be prevented if we had cracked down on bullying back in the 90s instead of wasting time blaming video games
I totally agree with the up above comment. I've read both Rachel's Tears and She Said Yes, but I can also honestly say I’ve read the other side of the story of Columbine through the book, No Easy Answers the truth behind death at columbine. I find it just a tad humorous how quickly people judge the media rather it be: music, video games, or even movies. “Think about all the kids who play video games like Doom, but don’t feel the urge to imitate them in real life. They’re the juggalos who listen to Insane Clown Posse rap about brutality and serial killers, but have no desire to kill anyone (16)”. “The music industry was one of the biggest targets criticized after the attack on Columbine….music doesn’t teach people to kill. Music creates an emotion, whether it’s anger, sorrow, thoughtfulness, happiness or humor. What people do with their emotions is up to them(17)”. Why bash on Insane Clown Posse because they sing songs pertaining to sex, murder and brutality. When the duo themselves put it best by the face paint they wear, They are quite literally wearing clown makeup hence their name. If someone takes what they say seriously , then they have issues – don’t blame the music- blame society. Marilyn Manson is an entertainer and not a leader. “…Although Marilyn Manson, ICP and Rammstein have some songs with a very powerful message, they aren’t trying to change the world (17/18)”. They are simply expressing what they think and not telling people how to act. “So why is music so violent? Simple-our society is a violent culture in and of itself,…our music is a reflection of that (18)”. “Violent music did not just appear one day and unleash . Society created violent music, because there was something happening in society that made that kind of music appealing (18)”. “The bigger question is this: What is happening to make society want this kind of entertainment (18)”. What is going on in the world to make violent media so appealing? Think of what is on the news we see that we are living in a world, where people murder, rape, and steal from one another on a regular basis. Sadly what Hollywood or game manufacturers have to offer in society is fairly insignificant, when it comes to actual society.
Kids being bullied is the issue- NOT THE MEDIA. What people need to realize is this: there is only so much a person can take before they snap. When a person snaps catastrophe can ensue. Rather it be the person committing suicide, or the person directing it to other people through homicide. This is exactly what happened in the case of the “Columbine Massacre”. These two young men Klebold and Harris got so fed up with the torment they received, they went to extreme measures to end it through violence. Sadly, on 4-20-1999, Klebold and Harris killed 13 victims and injured 24 more, Before turning the guns on themselves. What most people fail to realize is this: There were 15 victims that day. Two of whom were victims of bullying that finally snapped.
P.S. I do not condone what happened on 4-20-1999, but it gave light to the issue of bullying. I believe that all groups Christians(they judged them), Jocks(they tormented them) , and Klebold and Harris(who killed thirteen people and injured 24 others) were all in the wrong. On the other hand, why does it take an extremist to prove a point.
Brown, Brooks, and Rob Merritt. No Easy Answers: the Truth behind Death at Columbine. New York: Lantern, 2002. Print.