I cannot authentically write about the struggle for happiness without acknowledging the evil that threatens to challenge it every day.
Yes, I am speaking the ongoing and increasing number of mass shootings that are dominating the news and haunting our thoughts.
It has been said that Americans appear to have a tolerance for these unspeakable horrors, because in spite of the tragic loss of life and the many families and communities that are affected, life goes on as usual. But what choice do we have? I am sure, like me, many of you are wracking your brain, trying first to understand the twisted logic of individuals and groups that support and carry out these murderous rampages and of course, again like me, no answers emerge.
No one with empathy, integrity and a belief in the sanctity of life, can begin to understand the level of disconnection necessary to mow down men, women and children in cold blood. These are barbaric, cowardly, disgusting, macabre acts of insanity and they must be stopped, but how? No, neither Americans nor the citizens of any other country have a tolerance for murder. But in the face of a conundrum that appears to have no end and no solution, our brains have a built in decoupling mechanism.
We cannot become paralyzed by fear, hatred or frustration to the extent that we’re unable to function, so we compartmentalize. We store away that which we’re unable to process, in some dark recess of our consciousness for later digestion. But, before we can revisit it and find something resembling closure, yet another mass shooting has transpired.
Probably like you, I have listened to many intelligent leaders from various disciplines, psychologists, politicians and military historians and no one can explain with any degree of satisfaction, what happens in the mind of a mass murderer. In some cases, where religious extremism is involved, the term “radicalization” is used, but what does that really mean? One day, you’re a mother, nursing your baby and the next day, you commit an act of murder / suicide, leaving behind your child, family, community?
Back in the 60’s, we used to call to anyone advocating an end to the Vietnam war, or who espoused and aspired to communist ideals as “radicals”. But these were not killers! These were individuals with ideas that were not mainstream, but that nonetheless, had a right to air their views under the 1st Amendment. Some even went to jail for a time, arrested for organizing and or participating in protests that became violent. But it was not their intent to kill indiscriminately. Yes, some did die as a result of social upheaval, but those that participated had a message. Whether it was to end the war, extend fair treatment to minorities, increase pay and benefits for the middle class, whatever, though many disagreed with their methods, maybe even their message, at least their passion could be understood by and articulated to the masses.
No these are not radicals, as they have no message! They have no vision for a better society: to raise certain individuals out of poverty or to make quality healthcare accessible to everyone. Their entire reason to exist has been reduced to acts of terror that have no motive other than to kill as many as possible. To call these monsters animals is to give animals a bad name. The only way to describe and view them is as human shells. Apparitions, that though appearing mortal, have died from the inside out and now seek to die physically in an act of spectacular horror that resembles their nihilistic, apocalyptic concept of creation.
But this is not just a just a recent development, nor one that can only be pinned only on one religious or cultural group. This is a societal epidemic that has been brewing for some time and involves a variety of individuals from a diverse background. See below
Many perpetrators are found to have had a history of depression and taking or just having ceased taking psychotropic drugs.
A contagion-like effect that predisposes unstable individuals to commit mass shootings within 2 weeks of having witnessed one on television has also been noted.
Other profiles of mass killings: More than half of the cases involved school or workplace shootings (12 and 20, respectively); the other 30 cases took place in locations including shopping malls, restaurants, and religious and government buildings. Forty-four of the killers were white males. Only one was a woman. (See Goleta, Calif., in 2006.) The average age of the killers was 35, though the youngest among them was a mere 11 years old. (See Jonesboro, Ark., in 1998.) A majority were mentally troubled—and many displayed signs of mental health problems before setting out to kill.
In conclusion, how then can we who remain begin to cope with this evolving reality?
Each time another one of these incidents happen, the harangue for gun control begins again. I am philosophically split on the issue, I can see merit to both sides of the argument. But one fact has emerged which tends to make me believe tighter gun control alone will not solve this problem: There are between 300-320 million guns already in circulation in the United States. Basically one for every man, woman and child. Even if we could magically stop all “legal” gun sales, there are more than enough units available to any aspiring evildoer. Bare in mind, the latest shooting in San Bernardino was carried out with guns acquired from a friend of the perpetrator. They were originally purchased legally over three years ago, by that individual.
We have to change our behavior! Yes, it’s unfortunate, but true: though we want to continue living “normally”, by doing so, we make ourselves a target. Ah, but I can hear the nay-sayers who will protest that by altering our activities, we are essentially living out of fear. Folks! To say we’re not all afraid is to be in denial. Fear is a normal and appropriate response to these events. And it is useful, because it motivates us to do something to feel more in control, less vulnerable while we work on long term solutions. And this will get solved. History teaches us that societal trends come and go. This is a particularly pernicious one indeed, but it will eventually burn out. In the meantime, we just have to adapt and wait.
Here is what I propose:
- Avoid gathering in groups -
Shopping malls, clubs, theaters, restaurants, fairs, parties, etc. Any event that occurring in a public venue with more than 20 or 30 individuals should be avoided. This will be a big adjustment and one that may have a substantial impact on the entertainment industry, but it is necessary. Some venues of course cannot be avoided, such as schools, airports, train stations and places of employment, and security for these facilities should be increased substantially. But where recreation and festivities are concerned, individuals and families should return to meeting in small groups in homes or parks, with people they know.
2. Stay constantly vigilant -
When drinking and partying, it’s easy to become relaxed, in fact that is the objective. But we all need to now find a happy medium between relaxation and vigilance, serenity and awareness. When someone you don’t recognize enters the room, make a mental note. Ask a host or organizer how they’re related to the gathering. It’s very easy for strangers to enter a gathering, relatively unnoticed, because everyone assumes they must be someone else’s friend or family member. Don’t assume. Ask. If no one knows who they are, assume the worst and gather a group to confront the intruder or call the police. Even if your suspicions turn out to be wrong, we must err on the side of caution. This is how calamities can be prevented.
3. Have a plan - Whenever you do have to enter a building, office, airport, restaurant, whatever, get there a little early and scope out an escape route. I know this seems neurotic and paranoid, but it may save your life one day. When violence begins, people’s natural reaction is to huddle in place. The lights are cut, smoke fills the room, screaming and confusion ensue. You have to fight this impulse and speed, like a heat-seeking missile, to the nearest exit.
4. Report odd behavior - In the most recent incident, (San Bernardino), a neighbor observed that an unusual number of deliveries and suspicious activities were taking place at the condo occupied by the couple that would later kill 14 people at a Community Services center. She thought about reporting what she saw, but was concerned that she might be labeled as a “profiler”, since she knew the occupants to be of Middle Eastern origin.
We are a polite, empathetic and cautious culture. We want to believe the best about the people in our midst, but it is just this characteristic that puts us at risk. And it’s is a misperception to pin all mass shootings on religious extremism. Many, especially in schools are carried out by young, white men, or even children who suffer from emotional problems. As a society, we need to do a better job of identifying individuals whose perception of reality is becoming distorted, get them the treatment they need and for god sake, keep them away from guns. But that kind of intervention I fear is a long way off.
Additionally, it’s obvious we cannot count on our dedicated police or intelligence services to keep us safe from every threat. The reality of terrorism and mass murder is ever present, inconspicuous and morphing in unexpected ways. Each person must take personal responsibility for their own safety and that of their family. As Albert Einstein said: the definition of insanity is doing the same thing, over and over and expecting a different result. The potential for violence is now present in every country, large and small cities alike. We must meet the challenge by adapting our behavior to make ourselves and those we love less vulnerable.
Shane Eric Mathias
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