RAT Columbine

["Glen -Skip- Newell" <skipworthy@hotmail.com>]

First, I want to thank everyone for their comments so far- and 
encourage this discussion to continue, both on and off list.

Second, I'd like to clarify my own intentions, and add some comments 
of my own.

The responses I have received ( I posted the same note several places) 
have run from merely compassionate to intense and somewhat 
adversarial, and some interesting things have been brought up. 

The matter of our 'being responsible for the desensitization of 
society', by our involvements in the entertainment industry (movies 
and TV) is a valid concern to a point; As members of the 'media 
community' (yes it's a long shot, but stay with me) what alternative 
can we offer to car chases, drug deals and blowing up various things 
as entertainment ? It's true that many of us choose not to be involved  
in TV and Movies for that (as well as other) reasons. But what are we 
offering in our 'alternative' venues ? what are we doing to reach the 
communities we live in with the esthetic and mental and 'spiritual' 
fulfillment that so many claim is the alternative ?

The fact that so many young people are in violent environments 
(at school, in the community and at home)today should not be an excuse 
,or even an explanation. No, we should not be surprised that such an 
event is possible, in the light of the daily assaults that take place 
on our own front doorstep. This is the World we live in now. The most 
basic lesson, available since ancient history, has been ignored; Once 
we were separated from the blissful ignorance of the past, there is 
now no turning back- chaos encroaches on our ideal illusions, and 
people get hurt. more and more people, in more and more pain. 

So are we providing a safe and expansive place for teenagers to act 
out thier frustration and rage and confusion ? are we telling them the 
stories that help them become thinking, whole people ? I know some who 
are. I have spoken with Matt (Circle X, LA) about his program with 
inner city kids. Aileen (from PA) has mentioned a collaborative 
production about violence in schools. What about the rest of us ?

Obviously, we can't be expected to do the Parent's Job, any more than 
the school system. Likewise, I'm not suggesting everyone don 
bulletproof armor ( unless that happens to be the calling of your own 
heart). I'm not even sure what our responsibility should be in the 
aftermath of such tragedy ( and I mean the tragedy that happens 
everyday, everywhere most of all).

A couple final thoughts-

Dave Thomas, the DA for Jefferson County (where Columbine is located- 
His Kids, who I grew up with , graduated from Columbine High School) 
took about an hour during what was supposed to be a news conference 
this morning to plead with the news media to help make this event 
meaningful by helping provide the resources for a community effort to 
stop this kind of violence in it's tracks. He was vague, but 
passionate.

Also- I was fortunate to have my parents be involved in my life for at 
least most of my childhood. The most memorable, and most effective 
way this transpired was that whenever a point needed to be made, or a 
broken heart mended, there was a story. To this day, I still remember 
and live by many of the stories told to me by my parents and 
grandparents (it's also part of why I do theatre).

Peace, Love and Joy 
Skip.

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