Who are the real cowards?

By Jennifer Coots
March 15, 2001

President Bush described the recent Santee, Calif. shooting at Santana High School, executed by Charles Andrew Williams, 15, as “a disgraceful act of cowardice.”

While the shooting was certainly Williams’ own malicious and maddening prerogative, the cowardliness does not solely belong to him, but also to his friends who were repetitively warned of the boy’s plans to kill a month prior to the gunfire. The individuals who loved to make Williams the butt of their jokes, which often resulted in violence, also hold the responsibility as cowards.

How could these students have chosen to remain silent?

The two dead students and 13 other casualties could have been prevented if these cowards would have mustered up enough courage to inform the proper authorities instead of cowering behind the excuse of, “We didn’t want to get him in trouble, you know?”

No, I don’t know, nor do I understand this logic, the carelessness of allowing him to potentially scar the physical, emotional and mental well-being of others for fear of expulsion. I would rather have my friend expelled from school for an attempted massacre than have him spend the rest of life behind prison bars.

Let’s not forgot those who liked to hurl insults, both verbally and physically, on Williams, who always responded passively.

Individuals who feel the need to prey on others who appear different or not the “norm” are the real cowards.

Often observing the harassment of victims throughout high school and even here at Cabrini, I believe the individuals who enjoy victimizing others practically scream out their own insecurities. They attempt to belittle others in hopes of making the target appear inferior, and themselves, the bully, superior.

And there is always, always an audience.

Bullies do not have enough courage to commit the act alone and need their usual audience of equally pathetic friends to cheer them on.

It is easy for those who do not thrive off abusing others to stand up and say that such behavior is unwarranted and cruel. However, I often wonder at what point does a bully feel so hindered that they are unable to gather the nerve to do the same.

Most of the recent strings of school shootings have occurred due to the repercussions of continuous harassment and taunting.

While school shooters have no excuse for their horrific actions, the unbroken streak of coincidences relating to each case with an individual or individuals who are the school outcasts is critical.

Abusive behavior amongst students is usually dismissed as “kids will be kids,” a common statement that should have been put to rest long ago.

While there is no justification for committing these massacres, society has to come to grips with the cowardice that permeates adolescent society today. We need to teach our children, our students, that standing up now is better than burying someone tomorrow and the effects of taunting and teasing can prove to be fatal.

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Jennifer Coots

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