If I have to…

I waited nearly a week to see if I could find a way to not write about the Virginia Tech shootings. Apparently I couldn’t do it.

A school shooting could possibly be one of our countries saddest, most frustrating occurrences. Each shooting is an individually horrific thing. Each shooting affects greatly the people’s lives that are directly involved, while affecting less the people’s lives who only hear the stories; the people who can only use imagination to understand the hurt of victims and their families. No matter what though, the point is that everyone who hears the stories are involved; everyone who hears the stories are affected. Some people are affected in ways that I feel need to be at least brought to light. Some people cope, not by sadness and grieving, but with anger. Anger isn’t always a bad thing; however, sometimes it leads to thoughtless blame.

There is no “cure” for school shootings.

Why some people continue to blame administrations and gun laws (or lack of) doesn’t make sense. Not only does it not make sense, it just makes me angry.

No administration would ignore threats of violence if they thought that any of their students would get hurt.

Gun laws don’t protect people. A gun can easily be brought into any place and can shoot anyone. If guns where as noticeable as an army tank, then someone could do something about it, but they aren’t. Guns don’t kill people; hurting, angry people do.

Blaming these things will never help to prevent school shootings.

You know what WILL help prevent school shootings though?

Loving people.

Noticing that someone has no friends and saying “hello” to them;
noticing that someone looks angry or upset, and asking them what is wrong:
noticing that these people actually exist.

That’s a good start.