Mass shootings, Pt. 2

Dear editor:

This is part two of a document considering the singular cause of mass school shootings in the United States, and the solution that I am claiming can greatly reduce such shootings. This part continues with more symptoms of the cause. The next part will contain what I claim to be the cause and the solution.

Bullies exist in nearly every culture. (Cultures designed for survival against deadly bullies, like the Israeli kibbutz in the early 20th century, don’t tend to produce bullies, instead producing folks willing to give their lives to benefit others.) Bullying isn’t the cause, since mass school shootings are practically nonexistent in some cultures that have bullies. Bullying is one symptom, however. Individualistic “self-centeredness” is another symptom. Contempt for authority is another symptom.

The United States has excelled in blocking instructors from properly chastening children that upset a classroom; that is another symptom (and has driven some very good teachers from that profession). The list of symptoms is long. The cause, however, is singular (I claim), and the solution will be simple, very inexpensive, very doable and it won’t be done in the United States (with a few very localized exceptions).

Focusing on stopping guns from getting into schools is fighting symptoms. Totally arming teachers is fighting symptoms. The United States is famous for its “Westerns;” now, those “Westerns” with its shootouts are becoming part of the cultures of schools. Totally arming the schools won’t stop a person who is so bitter, that suicidal death is reasonable; and totally disarming the schools also won’t help.

What changed in the United States, where folks attack children who are members of their own cultures? What went missing?

“Patriotism” (in Dictionary.com) is defined as “devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country; national loyalty.” View “patriotism” in another way: it is “a determination to be beneficial to one’s country, including its citizens and guests (sojourners).” That includes its students. “Patriotism” used to be part of school teachings, including “citizenship.” When young children are taught to beneficially serve each other (and rewarded for that with responsibilities that are fulfilling), what isn’t produced is a school shooter.

The focus cannot be on “rights” (civil or any other kind); the focus must be on beneficial responsibilities toward others, toward authority figures who practice the same, toward the group that is determined to do right. Every military in the world teaches these things along with humility (consistently living and communicating according to one’s true ranks and responsibilities).

Those who demand their own rights will find violence. Those who actively demonstrate responsibility toward others regardless of the evils of self-centered bullies (including racists) will grow persons of excellent character. This has nothing to do with religion or belief in God. (Yet, this is the ethic of the Bible and will save lives during the worst part of the history of the world, if the Bible is Truth).

I plan to identify both the cause and the solution in the next part. James Wilson Hot Springs