Let‟s Stop the Terrifying Killing

SpreesA 25-year educator‟s perspective

Cynthia Hesser, Teacher, Librarian

Don‟t be One of theBlind

Men…

• I recently read to my first graders the story of six

blind men and the elephant. The point of the story is

that if each person only examines one part without

studying the whole, the wrong conclusions will be

reached and pointless disputes will be the only

result.

• YouTube 6 Blind Mice:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrkhm0HT8iY

It‟s Complex

• The reasons for such a dramatic increase in violent

killing sprees are complex and it will not going to be

effective if we try to simplify it.

• #1 Guns do not kill people. Peoplekill people. Kids

on the frontier were around weapons all the

time, but they didn‟t go on killing sprees. Many of

our children‟s minds are being „programmed‟ for

violent behavior.

• #2 On the other hand, weallneed toagree to limit

access to powerful weapons that would not be used

for hunting or self protection. It is just common

sense.

More Reasoning…

• Whatever is put in to a child‟s mind is what you can

expect to come out later… I highly discourage putting in

violent video games for hours on end.

• It is impossible to stop children‟s access if they are on the

market, because so many parents today irresponsibly

buy them for the kids then do not limit the amount of time

they play them.

• Therefore, I propose the very violent ones should be

banned entirely unless we want the frequency of these

events to continue toincrease. I know – First Amendment

– we had that amendment when I was a kid, but

somehow there were limits to what could be aired and

produced.

Digging Deeper….

• This „elephant‟ has other facets to study and try to

understand and eradicate. Many of the youth were

suffering from one of many disorders that made it

difficult for them to „fit in‟ socially in school. Many

were bullied. Bullying now often occurs not only in

hallways and classrooms, but online and after

school. It is very difficult to control, but we must

continue to seek ways to help kids through the

difficult times. If a kid has a disorder, we need to

work together to treat them with every method

available…

Root Cause of Disorders

• Some disorders tend to alienate children and eventually can lead to extreme anti-social behavior

• Dr. Kenneth Bock wrote an insightful book entitled “Healing the New Childhood Epidemics” about the 4-A Disorders – Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies (and others).

• Here is a link to his CBS interview: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2686470n

• Why are so many kids being diagnosed with these disorders? Bock states: heredity can load the gun and environment can pull the trigger.

Vaccines & Diet

• Over the past 50 years, the number of vaccines given to children has dramatically increased. Exposure to other environmental toxins has increased as well. Dr. Bock‟s book mentions vaccines and the associated effects as one aspect contributing to the 4-A disorders. IFwe really need all of them, I think it is important that we verify the effects and possible means to reduce any harm they may cause. When kids get behind, often shots are given to close together to meet a Kindergarten deadline. This does not make sense.

• Dr. Bock states that he has seen some great improvements by treating the 4-As with diet modifications and supplements – it is worth trying, isn‟t it?

Strengthening Families

• Another aspect of the

„elephant‟ is the

disintegration of family

nurturing, discipline and

the right kind of love.

The kind that does not

indulge, but gives time

and attention to matters

of morality, self

esteem, positive

experiences, and

enlightenment.

TURN OFF THE

TV ......

News programs that

broadcast every

detail, sensationalizing and

glamorizing the horrific act

only makes things worse. If

the networks have no

interested viewers, they will

not keep the criminal‟s name

in the news. Producing violent

movies is even more

irresponsible.

Counseling & Nurturing

• Sometimes it is very difficult to get kids the

counseling they so desperately need. What can we

do to make it easier and more effective?

• I believe youth would benefit tremendously from

spending more time with older people. Could we

organize programs that bring older people together

with youth (as young as 3) in libraries to

read, color, put puzzles together and play board

games? Other suggestions?

Can You Add to the List?

• There are probably other aspects to the

problem, but I think the ones I have addressed are

KEY and if they are not EACH studied to find ways

to reduce the ill consequences of ignoring them, I

fear the future. The young ones today are exposed

to even more violence through video

games, movies, television etc. than ever before.

• Thank you for viewing this, it‟s a first step…

cindyhesser@hotmail.com

• December 16, 2012