"In Defense of Murderers"
by Vorfeed

As with the article on Ryan Powell's death, this editorial will no doubt offend many. However, as with the aforementioned article, what is going to be said needs to be said. If you don't like it, deal with it.

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April 20, 1999 was not a date cherished by the "nerds" and "geeks" of America, despite what many of them may say about "jocks" and other high school social groups. The events of that day ensured that the social outcasts of the nation's public high schools would never be rewarded justice, despite the so-called "justice" that had been delivered that day.

On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, two seniors at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, shot and killed twelve students and one teacher in the name of "judgement." Throughout their years in school, Eric and Dylan were constantly harassed and teased by "jocks" and other "popular" students because they were "different." They wore long black trenchcoats, and loved weapons. They were by no means interested in "normal" high school activities such as sports or clubs, and for this, they were tormented. The harassment went on and on until the two boys could not take it any more, and as a result, desperate for justice, they attacked those who had already hurt them so badly.

It would be incomprehensible for one to defend the actions of Eric and Dylan; no matter how much people irritated them, they had no right to take away the lives of others. However, it is much more reasonable to defend their motives. Why did they commit such terrible acts on that fateful day? What made them want to do such a thing?

The media and so-called "well-meaning" adults across the country want us to believe that it is video games, television, and the Internet that make school shooters violent. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The sad reality is, the pundits connect these media with children with violent behavior without looking into why the kids like them. There are a myriad of reasons why children are teased; it usually starts in the very first years of our lives, when we first begin interacting with our peers. Most of the time the teasing surfaces when a child refuses to "fit in" or "follow the crowd." The pressure to fit in with others our own age is tremendous, but despite this pressure, there are many who do not wish to fit in. The stress caused by this teasing and harassment can be a tremendous burden on a child, and as a result, he or she turns to video games or television as an escape. While playing games or watching a fantasy program, children do not have to worry about the problems they face at school. The child turns to his entertainment over and over again, and each time he is teased, the urge to escape becomes greater. As a result, he becomes more immersed in fantasy worlds, to the point where it becomes his obsession and only interest. Because he has no interest outside of the escape, he is teased even more. Teenage outcasts in particular love the Internet; it allows them to connect with people who experience the same emotional burdens as them and allows them to express themselves and discuss their interests without criticism. Through message boards and newsgroups, they gain friends who at times can be their only support. The Internet is not a catalyst for violent behavior, but rather a comforter of the tormented masses.

To sum all this up, it is not the Internet, video games, television, or rock music that makes children and teenagers violent; it is the children and teenagers themselves who inspire their peers. Once the harassment begins, and the escape is sought, it turns into a cycle of neverending depression and anger for the teased.

The same adults who blame violent behavior on teenagers' only oasises think that the answer to stopping school violence is more security. After the days of Columbine, schools began implementing stricter "zero-tolerance" policies along with placing armed police officers, metal detectors, and security cameras in the halls. Faculty and students are advised to tell on any student who exhibits signs of being "different"- usually these "symptoms" include typical outcast behaviors of being particularily interested in- what else? -computers, video games, and death metal. Black clothing is frowned upon, as are trenchcoats and other unique apparel. Kids in elementary school get suspended for bringing nail clippers to class or playing cops and robbers at recess. How far must this madness go? Putting the situation in perspective, school shootings are extremely rare- out of all the days in a school year, and out of all the schools in the country, how many of those days and how many of those schools see bloodshed? Is it really necessary for students to be constantly watched and suspected of being criminals? Implementing more security measures simply ignores the root of the entire problem- the fact is, school should be an environment where kids do not have to feel like they want to harm their classmates; ignoring the picked-on kids and waiting until they snap to do something about it is not responsible policy and borders on neglect. This kind of ignorant, disgusting mindset that is all too common in our schools endangers students and staff more than if adults would simply pay attention to the REAL PROBLEM AT HAND.

DON'T PUNISH THE KIDS WHO GET TEASED ON A DAILY BASIS; PUNISH THE JERKS WHO HARASS THEM.

Really, is it that hard? Oh, excuse me, we can't do anything to ruin the reputation of the so-called "heroes" who make our school great by scoring ten points in the last insignificant football game. If they're disciplined, they could get kicked off the team. My bad. Wouldn't it be a great day when school is first and foremost a center for education instead of a center for THE ART OF JACKASS AND STUPID, INSIGINFICANT GAMES THAT MEAN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF LIFE?

Slashdot.org contributor Jon Katz wrote a series of extraordinary essays (collectively titled "Voices from the Hellmouth") about Columbine and the effect it has had on "different" students. Included in them, along with Mr. Katz's observations, are dozens of first-hand accounts from outcasts all across the country. The viewpoints expressed are saddening, angering, and tragic. Below I've included links to all ten of the summaries of the Hellmouth installments; they really are a great read if one has the time and devotion.

Voices from the Hellmouth Revisited
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Part Nine
Part Ten