The white rose died on the very same day a sixth grader was fatally wounded in a nearby school shooting. My white rose was part of a Christmas bouquet. As I removed it and rearranged the remaining flowers, the symbolism of this senseless loss of innocence induced my tears as well as this post.
This shooting occurred in Perry, Iowa, an hour's drive from our home. Besides the loss of one, five were injured and the suspect is dead. Uvalde, Texas, the site of another horrific school shooting, would be a fifteen and a half hour drive. Here is a post For You, Uvalde. Either location is far too close for such disaster. My grieving heart is with you, Perry community, and still with you, Uvalde.
I spent seventeen years in K12 through college, taught for thirty years, and for four years substituted. Having been fully immersed in the school culture for over half a century, I have strong opinions as to what can and should be done in our country.
Avoiding the Loss of Another White Rose
In order to avoid further grief inducing and senseless tragedy, we must first take a look at why shootings occur. Here is a study siting reasons: https://www.alfred.edu/about/news/studies/lethal-school-violence/why-do-shootings.cfm.
From this study, as well as my perspective, it appears we do not have the social network that would be necessary to help those who think using a gun can solve their problems. Schools that use research backed approaches is a good first step: https://everytownresearch.org/report/how-can-we-prevent-gun-violence-in-schools/
It is quite telling to see how much the USA surpasses other countries in school shootings: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/school-shootings-by-country It is (or should be) appalling to have such issues.
Google tells us that "only ten countries have ever had the right of individuals to keep and bear arms as part of their constitutions: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Liberia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and the USA. And of those ten nations, just four still do: Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, and the United States." Oct 19, 2023
Other Considerations to Save the Roses
Our governor stated "It's impossible to understand why anything like this happens." Allow me to say that most anyone who has spent much time in the schools can offer some reasons.
Spending cuts have been happening across the board in K-12 public education. First of all, we need to fully fund the AEAs or Area Education Agencies: https://iowaaea.org/. If students' needs are being met, they are less likely to act out. Mental health professionals are only one of the many services they can provide.
The arts - oh my - the arts! The very schools in which I attended and taught now have zero, get this - ZERO- visual arts teachers. Granted, there is still vocal music and band. The year I retired, one of my second graders exclaimed that, "Art was magic!" This type of class can greatly expand a child's sense of creativity and joy. The arts can give all children a sense of unity and community that may help to alleviate bullying. One of my former colleagues became a college professor as well as a dean. He focuses on the intersection of peacebuilding and music education. ARTS AND SOCIETY – I tells of this journey. My belief is that art is a necessity and should be first on any list of classes. After all, it is even first alphabetically! All the arts are super at mental health support, among other things: https://art4healing.org/reports/special-report-art-and-the-brain/?gad source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA7t6sBhAiEiwAsaieYuNSyH_8YyP9XnX-gt5VlmrXZ7Q7fMbepS0hmu-IfH3k_kNrjXMtLBoCW60QAvD_BwE
May we as a society make the necessary changes to give our children a calm and safe place to be.
P.S. If you would like to share this with your legislators there is no need to copy paste, simply share <https://Linda-M-Wolfe.com/The-White-Rose/>
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