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.