Opinion: Students who charge shooters are heroes. It’s shameful they’re martyrs, too.
By Elizabeth Bruenig Elizabeth Bruenig Opinion columnist focusing on politics, religion and morality in public life. Email Bio Follow Opinion columnist May 9 at 4:37 PM You can determine the excesses of an era by its martyrs. Essential to the story of a martyr is that they did not wish to die but rather chose or accepted death over some unacceptable alternative. The alternative — the thing being selected against — contains the fervor of the age, and it signs its name in the blood of martyrs.
A week later, on Tuesday, a pair of shooters stormed STEM School Highlands Ranch in Colorado and began to rehearse a now-familiar pattern of sudden, catastrophic bloodshed. When one of the shooters entered his literature classroom, 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo lunged for his gun and startled him, forcing him into retreat; several others subsequently tackled and pinned the murderer. But by that point, Castillo had already been shot. He, too, died of his injuries.
It isn’t that Howell or Castillo were the first people ever to heroically interfere with in-progress mass killings; there have been many cases of school employees, from teachers to security guards to custodians, who have done that. But Howell and Castillo were young and untrained, except by the general sense that all school-aged kids now have, which tells them that shootings are a fact of American education and that one ought to be prepared for them psychologically.
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Students who tackle shooters die as heroes. Some experts worry 'we're setting our kids up to be martyrs''We're asking children to make executive decisions, life-and-death decisions: Do we attack or not? Do we run or do we lock down?' one safety expert said.
Weiterlesen »
Family of slain UNCC student 'hero' wasn't surprised he charged the gunmanThe family is receiving loved ones on Star Wars Day, noting in his obituary, 'May the 4th be with you.'
Weiterlesen »
Betsy DeVos: It's not about me, it's about students'As much as many in the media use my name as clickbait or try to make it all about me, it’s not,' Betsy DeVos said. 'Education is not about Betsy DeVos nor any other individual.'
Weiterlesen »
UNC Charlotte Student Killed While Tackling Shooter Will Receive Military HonorsA University of North Carolina student who died charging an active shooter onthe school's Charlotte campus will be buried with full military honors, localTV station WJZY reported Friday
Weiterlesen »
This student died trying to stop the Colorado school shooterAfter a classmate pulled out a gun in class, Kendrick Castillo couldn't just stay still. He died when he lunged at the shooter, giving other students at STEM School Highlands Ranch enough time to hide, his family and a classmate said.
Weiterlesen »
Bartender who served shooter before mass killing faces chargesA bartender who served a Texas man on the night he killed eight people at his ex-wife's house has been arrested and charged in connection to the incident.
Weiterlesen »
California synagogue shooter facing new charges for attack and hate-filled 911 callJohn Earnest, the 19-year-old accused of attacking worshipers at a Southern California synagogue, will face federal civil rights and hate-crime charges that could make him eligible for the death penalty.
Weiterlesen »
Accused California synagogue shooter charged with federal hate crimesA California nursing student accused of a deadly shooting spree in a San Diego-a...
Weiterlesen »
Bartender who served shooter before mass killing chargedA bartender who served a Texas man on the night he killed eight people at his ex-wife's house has been arrested and charged in connection to the incident.
Weiterlesen »
Hero student who tackled North Carolina gunman remembered as 'selfless'The North Carolina college student credited with saving lives by tackling a gunm...
Weiterlesen »