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YOUTH VIOLENCE:
NEWSLETTER TO LOCAL CHURCH COMMUNITY
May, 1999
Dear Members & Friends:
As I write, we at RUCC join together with people across
the United States and indeed, across the world, in voicing our outrage, shock, and sadness at the horrific events that unfolded at the Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado last week. We have all been emotionally rocked by the accounts of a
heroic coach/teacher who saved a multitude of other lives,
then lay dying for more than three hours while being comforted by several students; of a young girl who dared to openly affirm her faith in God when asked, while the barrel of a gun was being pointed at her face – then the weapon firing in response to her answer; of a young black student who was killed solely because of his race, and many more.We know, too, that this incident was premeditated and carried out by at least two troubled young men who came from seemingly stable and affluent homes in a community very much like our own – an alarming pattern we have seen repeatedly in school shootings throughout the nation during the past several years.
For more years than I care to remember since serving as a Campus Minister, I have joined together with others in calling
for increased funding to address the emotional, vocational and recreational needs of young people in our nation. I have also joined with others who call for greater gun control, and the like. Yet nothing has resulted in more action along these lines, more quickly, than this latest incident in Colorado. So much so, in fact, that I cannot help but wonder if it will result in any fruitful action that withstands the test of time.My suspicion is that the leaders of our nation will "jump on the crusade bandwagon" for a time – but fall short of doing what it takes to really study the issues, and fund the programs that will truly make a difference in adolescent lives, such as peer counseling, meaningful training that results in descent job skills and wages, better training for teachers, school counselors and staff personnel, and more. I pray that I’m wrong in this regard – but time alone will tell. A few quick-fix pieces of legislation in the wake of this latest tragedy regarding gun control, etc. will do little or nothing to fix the real self-esteem issues and peer pressure issues that start in individual homes – and only much later result in such tragic circumstances.
Meanwhile, the congress has authorized tens of billions to fight
a war in Europe that is doing little or nothing to model anything but the further slaughter of innocent men, women and children. One of the buttons I have on my wall pointedly asks: "Why do
we kill people who kill people to show people that killing people is wrong?" If you know of anyone with a definitive answer, I’d like to hear it. Meanwhile, I ask you to join with me in praying for the people of Colorado and our nation as we seek to learn more about the root causes and influences in this particular case.
I also wish to invite you to join with me in shifting our perception about young people away from seeing them as "our future" – and begin seeing them as an integral part of "our present" – because any and all action can only take place in the present moment. The choice is ours to make.With love, in Christ, to all -
Pastor Jim
CHECKLIST OF CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUTH WHO HAVE CAUSED SCHOOL-ASSOCIATED VIOLENT DEATHS:
The National School Safety Center offers the following
School Associated Violent Deaths Report. After studying common characteristics of youngsters who have caused such deaths, NSSC has identified the following behaviors, which could indicate a youth’s potential
checklist derived from tracking school-associated violent
deaths in the United States from July 1992 to the present. Follow this link to the
for harming him/herself or others.Accounts of these tragic incidents repeatedly indicate that
in most cases, a troubled youth has demonstrated or has
talked to others about problems with bullying and feelings of isolation, anger, depression and frustration. While there is no foolproof system for identifying potentially dangerous students who may harm themselves and/or others, this checklist provides a starting point.These characteristics should serve to alert school administrators, teachers and support staff to address needs
of troubled students through meetings with parents, provision
of school counseling, guidance and mentoring services, as well as referrals to appropriate community health/social services and law enforcement personnel. Further, such behavior should also provide an early warning signal that safe school plans and crisis prevention/intervention procedures must be in place to protect the health and safety of all school students and staff members so that schools remain safe havens for learning.
_______ Has a history of tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts. _______ Characteristically resorts to name calling, cursing or abusive language. _______ Habitually makes violent threats when angry. _______ Has previously brought a weapon to school _______ Has a background of serious disciplinary problems at school and in the community. _______ Has a background of drug, alcohol or other substance abuse or dependency. _______ Is on the fringe of his/her peer group with few or no close friends. _______ Is preoccupied with weapons, explosives or other incendiary devices. _______ Has previously been truant, suspended or expelled from school. _______ Displays cruelty to animals. _______ Has little or no supervision and support from parents or a caring adult. _______ Has witnessed or been a victim of abuse or neglect in the home. _______ Has been bullied and/or bullies or intimidates peers or younger children. _______ Tends to blame others for difficulties and problems s/he causes her/himself. _______ Consistently prefers TV shows, movies or music expressing violent themes and acts. _______ Prefers reading materials dealing with violent themes, rituals and abuse. _______ Reflects anger, frustration and the dark side of life in school essays or writing projects. _______ Is involved with a gang or an antisocial group on the fringe of peer acceptance. _______ Is often depressed and/or has significant mood swings. _______ Has threatened or attempted suicide. Developed by the National School Safety Center © 1998
Dr. Ronald D. Stephens, Executive Director
141 Duesenberg Dr., Suite 11, Westlake Village, CA 91362
Phone: (805) 373-9977; Fax: (805) 373-9277