CONSIDER THIS: Questioning ourselves is the best solution

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Michael Rodriguez

Like many, we at the San Benito News mourn the deaths of the 27 victims, 20 of whom were children, who were killed at an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday.

My first reaction was perhaps what many thought when hearing the news: “not again.” Of course, we’re all aware that school shootings are unfortunately not uncommon, and I think many of us have grown numb to these occurrences. But as more reports came in on Friday about children being among the dead, everything changed. It was initially reported that several students were killed, then 18, then 20. It got to the point where I just avoided reading updates, unless I absolutely had to, for fear of learning that even more had perished.

I instead retreated to social media, specifically Facebook, to see what my friends, acquaintances and colleagues were saying about the tragedy. One person updated their status with the following: “God be with the families of those children in CT…I can’t even imagine what they’re going through. And may all those lives rest in peace.” Another person said, “There will always be bad people in this world. Nothing will change that. I guess if people would spend more time teaching their own kids the difference between right and wrong, maybe there would be some change, but it would take an entire generation or two before any results were present.” Others posted mournful memes accompanied by one word: “Sad.”

Some were mothers and fathers who could not comprehend the grief currently consuming parents who lost their children at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the Newtown, CT campus where the shooting occurred. “Holding my baby a little tighter this evening! Feel so bad for those who’ve lost their children today and will not be able to hold their children! I cannot understand why anyone would hurt innocent children!” one person exclaimed.

Basically, if you have a heart, this shooting affected you. What we’re all left wondering, however, is what to do next. Do we demand more gun control laws? Do we not send children to school and opt for homeschooling instead? Or do we persevere? Change nothing and chalk this up to the actions of an unstable individual? None of these options, and I realize they’re just a few, seem enticing. Then again, nothing is considering the subject matter.

So what’s the right thing to do?

I don’t presume to have all the answers, nor will I – at the age of 31 – lecture our readers, many of whom are undoubtedly older than I, on what’s already obvious, such as suggesting to hug your kids or to pray for the victims. These are all reactions that, by default, we are practically programmed to carry out when senseless tragedies like this occur. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just what we’ve accepted to be the norm regarding the appropriate response in such cases.

Still, I do have one possible answer to the question I posed above, and that is simply this: to continue asking questions. How do we know that we aren’t already doing the right thing by questioning ourselves, our practices, the very things that make us feel safe and lead us to believe that we’re somehow a greater, more sophisticated society than others? Maybe we’re not. Maybe, for all our posturing and self-aggrandizement, it is us – Americans – who have a lot to learn.

I could be wrong, granted. But all we know for sure is one simple truth that, while uncomfortable to entertain, remains undeniable: What we’re doing, at least in the case of school security and student protection, is not working.

As reported on the front page of this edition, San Benito CISD Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón emailed district employees and board members on Friday to remind them to continue taking the precautions already in place at all campuses. San Benito CISD Police Chief Santiago R. Garcia offered what some may consider an unorthodox method of teaching students what to be aware of in the event of a school shooting. Specifically, the chief suggested that children hear what actual gunfire sounds like, without the use of live ammo, of course.

And why not? After all, it may indeed be time that we rethink that in which is considered acceptable, if for nothing else to respond to an unacceptable act. Email me your thoughts at editor@sbnewspaper.com, or comment on our San Benito News Facebook page.

Read this story in the Dec. 16 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.