Posted by Miss Erin on April 26, 1999 at 02:11:00:
Friends,
Thank you for the love and support you have sent via your e-mails and phone calls. I think most of us out here are still struggling with why this happened. Going back through my highschool yearbook of 18 (YIKES) years ago I noticed a lot of similarities between the "Trench Coat Mafia" and C.A.O.S. (Coalition of the Arapahoe Obliteration Squad) the "anti-social-outcast " group some of us belonged to. How things have escalated in the past 18 years (but the sentiment of disliking jocks and preps remained the same). I'm grateful we outgrew that. I'm grateful we had a chance to outgrow that!
I made the mistake of turning the tv on today. Clicking through the channels I caught the new MTV anti-violence campaign series where teenagers from across the country were commenting on the events in Littleton and what occurs in their schools. The slogan "Fight for your rights, stop the violence" are heralded on these blurbs.
Excuse me, is the same station that promotes shock rocker Marilyn Mansion, the "artist" who these "Trench Coat Mafia" killers were into? Is this the same station that has "Yo' MTV Raps" with gangsta crap-rap on it? WHAT IS WRONG WITH VIACOM???!!! Their self righteous shaping of young minds in the 16-24 bracket is pathetic. They are more two faced than any television ministry's downfall they so joyfully reported on a few years ago. Hypocrite la' creme' !
I'm not big on censorship. I am however, very threatened by any event that pushes towards socialism in today's society. I noticed at the memorial service I attended the other day that there were a lot of anti-NRA protesters. This was neither the time nor the place for that. It was a time to greive. Out of consideration for the dead and their families (several who I work with) I did not engage in my usual mensa vs. the brain-dead liberals argument. I simply walked by and thought, "It's good to see you exercising your first amendment rights courtesy of the second amendment". I then departed before the temptation to slice and dice their knee-jerk philosophy overwhelmed me. Emotions are raw right now. I imagine no type of common sense will prevail for awhile. People are now criticizing how the Police handled the situation. All I have to say is, "God Bless These Police". Some of these people actually had children inside. Please pray for them, they are going through a hard time too.
First and formost I would recommend people really read their bible. Second, go to the library and read "Mien Kamp". There is much to learn in what shaped Nazi Germany and the disturbing progression of fascim beginning with exhuberant gun control. As a society we have to figure out where to introduce the stop signs without opening the door to tyranny. It is a shame that the thoughtless carnage of a few disturbed individuals could ruin so many lives and threaten the freedom of so many others.
The Goth community is under heavy scrutiny because of this. People are getting sent home from school for wearing black, wearing trench coats, etc. Please pray for the safety of these kids because right now the attempt to understand their lifestyle is more for the making of a news story than any real concern for what they might be going through or feeling. (In my opinion anyway. I'm really starting to dislike the media).
On a bright note, there are incredible stories of faith from the people who lived through this. God and Jesus, people's stories of their unwavering faith are filling the airwaves out here. People are making time to be with their children. As a nation we are really taking a look at what is shaping our culture. People are a little bit more sensitive to each other right now and really pulling together. It's a shame a tragedy of this magnitude had to prompt it.
It is a time to trust in God despite our own understanding. Out of a certain church youth group of 40 students who attended Columbine only one , Cassie Bernall didn't make it out. When taunted by one of the gunman who said, "Do you believe in God?" She replied without hesitation, "Yes, I do believe in God" Then he shot her. This was a girl who was going to cut off all her long hair to give to someone who makes wigs for children going through chemotherapy. It was this story especially that convicted me about the true strength of faith.
It is a time to look at our own personal prejudices and what to do about them. It is time to look beyond ourselves. I'm the first to admit that before this I couldn't find any redeeming qualities about these present "Generation X'ers" until this happened. I am greatly saddened that I've become prejudice by generalizing this generation by the constant exposure to the undesirable acts of a few. That for a moment in time I forgot that these are children of God, created in His image and not some disposable generation without worth. I strongly suspect that it is that type of attitude, more than anything, that contributed to the demise of and helped shape the black hole of hopelessness and pain in Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold's souls.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11 NIV
There is hope in the darkest moments. Please continue to pray and thank you.
Love, Erin