To the Editor,
Many cite the Columbine incident as a beginning. I can recall working with local authorities, community members, and youth, to create ‘Bridge Builders’ which was an …
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To the Editor,
Many cite the Columbine incident as a beginning. I can recall working with local authorities, community members, and youth, to create ‘Bridge Builders’ which was an attempt to address gun violence (especially in schools). Who would have thought that so many years later school shootings (and other mass incidents involving firearms) would be a regular occurrence? Sad, tragic, frustrating, horrible, insane, negligent and absurd are words that are uttered in response. The poem Within seeks to attempt explaining how many of the ‘monsters’ responsible for shootings have been created by us. We have a culture that has become alienated and lacking in trust. The answers will come only after deep reflection. Rights need to be balanced with responsibilities. Mental health, cultural norms and what it means to be a citizen are all things that must be considered. Let’s hope that we can come together soon.
By Bob Houghtaling
After the doors are locked
And patrolmen guard the halls
Who will look out for the monster
That alludes all our walls
Guns and psychotherapists
Inculcated into schools
Will be balanced by politicians
Engaged in a verbal duel
In the meantime terrified children
Sit back on their screens
Being fed trouble and isolation
A never-ending scene
Once again awaiting demons
Against whom we cannot win
Until, of course, the day comes
We look deep within
Cultures built on hatred
Along with those of mistrust
Will introduce the carnage
That produces an unholy gust
From a rogue tornado
Violent is this storm
For we have now created
Twisters as a norm
Those who know their weather
Can predict what comes next
Don’t give guns to children
And put away that text
When thinking towards a forecast
Stop looking for its fault
Since we’ve created the monster
Who carries each assault
Robert Houghtaling is the director of Substance Abuse Prevention/Mental Health for East Greenwich.
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