"Columbine", Dave Cullen's minute-by-minute, scream-by-scream, terror-by-terror description of the Columbine massacre should be horrifying to read, but because he never loses sight of the wonderful kids, the courageous adults and the strength of the community, reading his book gave me some hope. In about two weeks, it will be April 20. Just another spring day in most communities, but certainly a day of remembrance, pain, and grief in Littleton, Colorado.
There was so much I did not know and failed to understand about this
event and I am grateful that such a careful and skillful author tackled
this American tragedy. Cullen made me wonder why the media got it
so wrong. I am grateful to him for making this American event as clear
as it is ever going to be. In addition to the information presented in Cullen's book this year, Dylan Klebold's mother publicly expressed her thoughts in an article in Oprah Winfrey's magazine. She claims, and I believe, that she had no idea at the turmoil her son was experiencing.
Wally Lamb's first book in 10 years, "The Hour I First Believed", also
covers the Columbine massacre and again, in the hands of a less talented
writer, such an effort might have seemed to exploit the real victims of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. But Wally Lamb is no ordinary writer, as anyone who had read his previous books knows. The main characters of "The Hour..." are already in trouble when the massacre occurs. Caelum, the husband who teaches at the doomed school, is away, but his wife, Maureen, a Columbine school nurse, is trapped in a cabinet in the library as the massacre is carried out, and she never really escapes. As she descends into the paralyzing world of post-traumatic stress disorder, all hope seems lost. But as this is a book by Wally Lamb, the reader knows that he will make sense, somehow, of all of Maureen's suffering.
The Columbine massacre was 11 years ago...just the blink of an eye as far as history is concerned. However, when considering the advances in technology, 11 years is an eon. Think about texting, web-cams, e-mail, instant messaging, iTouch, iPhones, iPads, Kindles, Facebook, GPS devices...and then read about the primitive "basement tapes" recorded by the killers. The technology available today might have made their attempt to destroy everyone in the school a reality. Yet, I talk to parents all the time who have no idea what their children are doing with their computers, cell phones, and all the other devices they are never without. It is chilling to read that Dylan Klebold's mother had no idea that he had planned this mass murder. It is even more chilling to think about teens like Harris and Klebold with today's technology at their fingertips.
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Every February 9th I remember the school shooting that I experienced at Columbia High School. I remember myself sitting underneath tables, huddled with classmates. I remember hearing the shots. I remember thinking that I was going to die in English class. I remember thinking that school was supposed to be a safe place. I remember wondering if Columbine was going to repeat itself. I remember being scared out of my mind; although, I cannot help to ask myself what if? What if it had been worse? What if the principal did not stop John Romano? What if there were multiple gunmen? Myself, and everyone else at Columbia was very "lucky" that day. Today I am a teacher, but it took me a while to get over the fear of working in a school setting. I find myself making sure my classroom door is always shut. I make sure my exits are always blocked, and I try my best to stay aware of every student that crosses my path. This past summer I read the chilling novel, "Columbine." While some sections were impossible to read, it was eye opening. It told of the true tale of this horrific event. It finally set the story straight, and I found its truth to be enlightening. The sections which I enjoyed the most were the ones about the community. I found it so interesting to read about how the community came together, and how the community was torn apart. I found it intriguing how some individuals sought to show their support because I related their actions to the actions of East Greenbush residence after our horrific experience. The novel, “Columbine” is a testament that shows the readers how wonderful, and how truly scary the human mind can be.
ReplyDeleteAs I read these blogposts, I find myself perplexed.I continue to be confused as to what combination of events and/or influences would cause such negativism in two young boys causing them to do such harm. I will be looking for these books on my next visit to the book store.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend that everyone read Columbine. It is one of the finest books written about a horrific subject. At no time does the author sensationalize. His empathy for the survivors and the victims is clear, but his ten year search for the motives keeps you from putting the book down. I had the privilege of hearing him speak, and he had copies of Eric and Dylans diaries. It is my understand that in the newly released paperback they have been reproduced. To RGIBBY you are very brave and it is a testament to your strength that you became a teacher. I think you would find some healing in reading Columbine as the disinformation that is out there is carefully debunked and might bring you some peace about your own situation. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. I remember holding my little one year old Amanda and watching the events in Columbine and crying, wondering how I could ever send my little girl to public school. Now, with three kids in public schools and one to go I can't even allow my mind to contemplate such horrors.
ReplyDeleteI just love your blog, and it was incredible and wonderful to see you last week. We all love you.