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Discussion blog post #3

Discuss whether the school or the students caused the out lash from Gray and Brendan

                The social interaction of school can often be tough, and experiencing crucial stages of development, young minds are molded and shaped throughout the experience that is high school. However, following the events of Gary and Brendan, two teenagers feed up with the pressures of being social outcast and deciding to act out in violence and kill another student, the question of whether the school authority or student body are to blame, remains ambiguous.

                After the tragedy occurs, countless people are interviewed and questioned about the Columbine like event. Among the many is Emily Kirsh, who states, “Maybe Gary and Brendan were different from other kids, but they still should have been accepted as people. Maybe there should be a mandatory course in school that teaches kids to respect one another no matter what (129).” Her insightful words speak deeply about the event with a sympathetic view towards Gary and Brendan. Instead of blaming shooting as a fluke, she speaks of their peers treating the boys poorly and being condescending towards how different they were. But beyond explaining the scrutiny from their peers, she speaks about the lack of proactive action the school seems to take on the matter of respect among the students.

                The blame can neither lie solely on the school or student body, as it was a collective piece of social shaming and lack of respect or acceptance from the students, and an equal part of the lack of interjection and moderation from the school to guide the children under their authority. Emily Kirsh brings forth the painful truth that the system as it stands was ineffective from both sides of the argument to resolve the issues Gary and Brendan endured pushing them to their violent act.

 

Discussion question blog post #2

Discuss if gun control can limit the amount of deaths in the U.S

According to researched articles, Government statistics, and the book Give a Boy a Gun, there is evidence that supports that Gun control can help prevent deaths in the U.S.  

Many argue that gun control does little to sop deaths in America. Mainly, the argument stands that criminals conducting violent acts of crime would think twice if everyone owned a fire arm. However, according to researched articles, Government statistics, and the book Give a Boy a Gun, there is evidence that supports that Gun control can help prevent deaths in the U.S. While Gun control is often thought of as taking away people’s rights to own firearms, the laws surrounding this topic often works towards background checks and specifically, proper storage of firearms. Firearms, whether legal or not, remain a constant threat if left around unattended.

 Quotes from the story Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser, speaks of the access which the one of the main characters, Ryan Clancy, has to his father’s gun. Clancy says, “My dad has a 9mm Glock he keeps on a Shelf in his bedroom closet.” (Strasser 51) Later in the same paragraph, he also speaks of how a ‘cheap’ gun shown to him is more of a toy. Also, within researched articles such as “Guns Within Reach”, there lies evidence that individuals are improperly storing guns in places where children can easily reach them. The article states that, “nearly 1.7 million children under age 18 live with a loaded and unsecured gun in the house.”(2) Finally, government statistics provide interesting percentages which argues towards the favor of Child Access Prevention Laws. According to smartgunlaws.org, “One study found that in twelve states where such laws had been in effect for at least one year, unintentional firearm deaths fell by 23% from 1990-94 among children under 15 years of age”

 Conclusively, all the evidence leans towards the support of Gun Control laws working in favor of death prevention. With deaths as high as 11,419 people in 2013 alone, Gun Control laws seems to be a wise step in the right direction to taking back 'stolen time'

Gun control smore flyer

Discuss how Gary's childhood played a role in what type of person he became?

 

There were many variables in Gary's childhood that made him become the angry individual he is. Firstly, Gary was constantly picked on for being overweight and a social outcast. Furthermore, Gary's parents constantly are arguing causing further stress in his life. He hates most of the people at his highschool, yet still has a best friend named Brendan. Gary was overweight and I feel this had a contribution to how people treated him. For example "I do recall that some children teased him about his weight (7)". This all relates, because Gary not only had problems at home, but he definately had problems with kids picking on him at school. Argueably, Gary's anger could have been dealt with in a productive way. However, considering the circumstances, Gary's personality is a common product of abusive parents and bullying. Ultimately, Gary was the victim of poor scenerios throughout his childhood. While he could have taken control and worked to fix his problems, to have seen his parents fight and bullying where unfortunate events which lead Gary down the road of anger.