What Is Learned?

Again, I am taken aback by the comment so often being repeated as related to the tragic shooting at Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio.

“Who would have thought such a thing would happen in a town like this”?

Well, the answer is “No one”!

Not to minimize the seriousness of this event, and not to be insensitive to those directly involved in this, but I wonder if people really think about what they are saying?

I have done some research on school shootings. A table titled “Time Line of Worldwide School Shootings” (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0777958.html), shows that since 1996, throughout the world, 59 school shootings have occurred.  What is so grossly obvious from this list is that school shootings are random acts. Sadly they take place in all kinds of locations regardless of social-economic standards or any other pre-conceived rationale. In other words, no place is excused from experiencing such a tragic act.

Chardon, Ohio is the kind of place people flee to by choice. Thirty miles east of Cleveland, the quintessential “burbs”, in every imaginable way, most certainly the desired locale to avoid murder and mayhem, but sadly, it was not to be.

On Monday, February 27, 2012 at approximately 7:30AM a 17 year old male student walked into the high school, randomly opened fire on fellow students killing three and wounding two. It is a gross understatement to say this young man is troubled.

There are however so many blurred areas. The parents, abusive, vacant, having their own run-ins with the law never were parents to their son. Bounced around between other family members attempting to assume guardianship for a time, they as well unable to handle and manage the boy’s pent up anger and frustration.  In and out of the juvenile court system, trouble with school attendance, falling behind with assignments, falling grades quickly becoming failing grades, falling through the cracks, this young 17 year old was only on one track, that of destruction.

Eventually his “home” became that with his aging grandparents. They trying their very best, but worn out from so many battles could only give and do so much. Problems continued to amass and this young man was moved to an alternative school program to try and meet his needs.

However, for this 17 year old it is very apparent the damage was done. Pain, abuse, rejection all had sunk deep into his psyche, into his emotional make-up. The miracle quite honestly would have been that he did not do this deplorable act.

This is in no way condoning or excusing this young man’s horrific actions. What must be understood however the framework is and foundation for such a tragedy being carried out was put in place back in his youth. With so much abuse, neglect, instability, and the lack of true, genuine, unconditional love, “snapping” like this became more and more likely to occur. Sadly, it did.

Sadly far too many kids find themselves in this all too familiar predicament. What is astonishing is that we do not see more of this anger and frustration boiling over to the degree we have here.

For this we should all give thanks.

So the questions must be asked, when will we wake up and start treating juvenile delinquent behavior seriously providing the needed counseling, intervention, adaptive and alternative learning opportunities, and even extended juvenile incarceration when appropriate? When will interventions be in place which will provide the necessary support systems for children like this 17 year old who has been abandoned?

And finally, when are we going to use the legal system to hold parents accountable for their actions or the lack there of? Fines and jail time would certainly be warranted for any parent neglecting to fulfill and carry out their duties and responsibilities as a parent. Far too many so called “parents” have absolutely no idea how to parent, and their children are suffering.

There is enough pain and suffering to spread throughout all of Chardon and beyond, just as there has been in all 59 incidents referenced.  This young man must be held accountable, and if the legal system deems it appropriate to try him as an adult, so be it. But it is high time we all wake up and demand that changes be made in a proactive sense to protect provide the very best to our youth.

We may never be able to bring a 100% end to such tragic events in our schools, but if we can keep just one more from happening, eliminating all the pain, suffering and sorrow, then we are taking steps in the right direction.

I have read and heard that forgiveness is now needed more than ever. Among all the pain and suffering, what else is there? Forgiveness is the only path which will begin to restore the families, this school and community, and all of us to a better place moving forward.

What have we learned? We have learned that life as we know it can unravel before our very eyes. We have learned that when it does there are always far more questions than answers. We have also learned again that the indomitable human spirit is contagious rising to levels unexpected rallying with support and love. In the end what we have learned even in the midst of such a horrific, terrible tragedy is that life and people are truly a blessing to be cherished each and every moment of each and every day.

Peace!