A month or so ago, my singing group at Iona College visited a home for older Christian Brothers (most of whom worked for Iona in the past) to sing some Christmas carols. While we were there, we had a chance to talk with the Brothers who lived there, about our lives, their lives, really anything. I walked up to one of the Brothers that a couple of girls from my singing group were already talking to, and he asked me where I was from, as to which I responded with "Colorado!" (I'm a little proud).
However, one of the first things he said after I stated I was from Colorado was "That's where a lot of the shootings happen, huh?"
The way in which he said it (or brought it up) could have used some work (as I was completely caught off guard by the comment); however, it made me think.
Is that what Colorado is really known for now?
My home state—the state that's filled with mountains, snow, wild Broncos fans, and some of the most caring people I've ever met—has now been condensed to one thing: the place where a lot of shootings happen.
Wow.
In a sense, its not like I can blame him. I am sure he did not mean any harm with his statement; he just seemed to be stating something of the truth.
Which it is, in fact, pretty truthful- as someone who was born before Columbine, this man's statement made me think about how most of my life has been sprinkled with tragic events that I hear on the news, events that have happened right in my backyard.
While I was only 2 years old when the Columbine shooting happened, my life has been affected by it anyway. I knew people who were a part of the same school district, I visited the memorial, and I learned the personal stories of those who were killed.
During my sophomore year of high school, my school was visited by the people at Rachel's Challenge, an organization made in the memory of Rachel Scott, who was one of the victims of Columbine. It was created in hopes to inspire people (specifically students) across the country to follow by Rachel's example and her "Code of Ethics" that she wrote a month before she died.
One of the people from Rachel's Challenge that visited my school was Darren Scott, Rachel's father and one of the founders of Rachel's Challenge.
While I will admit that most school assembly presentations were ones that I struggled to pay attention to (and usually didn't succeed), I remember giving my full attention to the people of Rachel's Challenge—as did the rest of my school. I also remember signing a banner after the presentation, which in turn meant that I was signing to agree, and participate in, Rachel's Challenge; and, when I did sign, I completely, sincerely agreed to do so.
So, as you can tell, although I was not aware of what was happening immediately during or after the tragedy at Columbine, it nonetheless affected my life for what may or may not be the better. I have yet to figure that out.
What makes the situation all the more complex is that Columbine was obviously not the last attack on my state's humanity since I've been born—many other shootings, homicides, and killings have blanketed over our state, three of which stand out the most to me: the 2012 Aurora theater shooting, the shooting at Arapahoe High School in 2013 (which did not make national news) and the shooting at a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs this past November.
These three stand out the most to me for several reasons. For one, there was the particularly specific proximity to my own life: two of these (the first two, specifically) affected me personally, as I knew at least one person that was involved in each. Also, the third, and most recent, was close to where my roommate lives.
Another thing that especially affected me was when they happened. The Aurora theater shooting happened only several months before the Sandy Hook school shooting (which is the town where my cousins live).
It was definitely difficult to end the year that way.
It is hard for me to find where I stand each time after these tragedies happen. I am obviously upset and sad that these types of events keep happening around the nation and specifically in my home state-- after all, if it didn't happen so often, that man I met at the Christian Brothers home would have never been inspired to say what he did—and honestly, it seems as though it never ends. However, because it does happen so often, I don't know how to truly--and genuinely—react to these situations. I am sad, but its hard for that not be mixed up with anger, frustration, or disappointment... it's a weird combination of them all, I suppose.
However, with all this said, I do not want to go on and on about the shootings that have been woven through my life so far. Fact is, we all know that they happen.
I also don't want to get into the controversial conflict (that usually borderlines unnecessary) that further ensues even after the shooting has stopped. That said, I do want to address the fact that for me, the airtime that certain tragedies have received over my lifetime certainly does not diminish the quality of the less-publicized lives that have been lost. To me, each of those who died are equally important, whether they be known by the nation or simply by their closest loved ones. I think that's one thing the whole nation could agree on, whether they know it or not.
I also don't want our communities to forget the unity that results from such tragedy. While it is hard to think of any of these events having a silver lining, we cannot deny that we unite with another in ways that are not seen in other situations: we are proud of our community, state, or nation for being able to pull through such difficulty; we lean on one another to move on.
What makes me sad is that because these shootings seem to be made up of many complex issues knotted together, this usually scares me away from sticking my neck out there to help. I have since realized that my help does not need to be at the same level of extremity that these events are on.
Instead, I have realized that I can make a difference: I can talk to the kid in class that no one talks to; I can treat everyone I meet with the same level of respect and kindness. My mom always says that the most important things you learn are what you learn in kindergarten. I think the saying "Treat others like you would want to be treated" would fit in nicely here. My point is, by treating others with equality and respect, you might really help a kid out more than you would initially think.
With all this said, I truly want to thank that man at the Christian Brothers home. Although he took me a bit off guard, his statement made me think about this issue in a way I had only touched upon before.
However, it not only gave me something to contemplate about the events in my life thus far, but it inspired me to start taking the extra step to truly changing the humanity of my state, along with the country's.
