November 13th, 2024

ARE AMERICAN CLASSROOMS PRODUCING MASS SHOOTERS?

By: Oscar Blayton

Let’s face it. With all the mass shootings in America today, it is difficult to tease out the various motivations that prompt murderers to unleash their automatic weapons on unsuspecting and innocent individuals they do not even know.

This country being awash in guns is certainly a major contributor to the constant carnage. But a theory of “one size fits all” does not apply to these killings. Some shooters suffer from mental illness. Others have a fixation on attacking people because of their sexual orientation or religion. And then there are those who attack people because of their race or ethnicity.

We need to find ways of bringing an end to all types of shootings. But to do so, we need to understand and address the underlying factors that drive the perpetrators to commit their heinous acts. While we must address all forms of hate, I want to speak to one specific piece of this puzzle – race-based slaughter.

First, I want us to recall Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white male living in Eastover, South Carolina, who drove 98 miles to Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston and killed nine African Americans he did not know on June 17, 2015.

Next, I want to bring your attention to the murders that took place Aug. 3, 2019, when 21-year-old Patrick Crusius of Allen, Texas, drove more than 600 miles to kill 23 Latinx strangers at an El Paso Walmart.

Finally, on May 14, 2022, Payton Gendron, an 18-year-old white kid drove more than 200 miles from his home in Conklin, New York, and killed 10 random African American shoppers in a Buffalo supermarket.

Identifying only these three mass shootings is not to take away from the horror of the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting that took place just 10 days after Gendron went on his rampage; the San Ysidro McDonald’s massacre of 1984 in San Diego, California; the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999 in Colorado; or any of the other horrific mass murders our politicians are content to endure. But Roof, Crusius and Gendron were all white males, 21-years-old or younger at the time they committed their massacres and had very little time to be influenced by anything other than their socialization by their family and their educational experiences.

 

Public policy cannot invade the family dinner table and dictate what parents teach their children, but responsible citizens must wonder what type of education these young men received in the schools they attended. It appears that all three attended public high schools; Roof attended at least two.

Is it legitimate to ask if some of the ideas and beliefs they acquired in high school led these mass shooters to be susceptible to targeting Black and Latinx victims based solely on their race or ethnicity?

As rabid white supremacists howl about the damage done to their children by being exposed to the truth about American history, is it possible that in many classrooms across America, seeds of bigotry and hate are being planted in the minds of some white children so that they grow to become shooters like Dylann Roof, Patrick Crusius and Payton Gendron?

It was not that long ago when schools in southern states were segregated by law. Today, schools in every sector of the country are racially imbalanced because of historical housing patterns created by a string of racist policies. So, is it unreasonable to take a closer look at our educational system to see what practices in our classrooms might possibly have a hand in creating mass murderers driven by racial hatred?

Racial hatred exists in the United States. We witness it every day and feel its effects throughout our entire lives. To witness it and not investigate its source is as irresponsible as denying that such hatred exists. What’s worse than either of these are the multiple attempts across America to lock away the history of this hatred so it cannot be addressed. It may be the case that none of our educational institutions are breeding grounds of racial bigotry, but we certainly have seen instances where racism takes a front seat in the decision-making of most American institutions, including our schools.

Not every act motivated by racial hatred is as blatant as the murder of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer who was empowered by the state to make life or death decisions in Black communities. The majority of these transgressions occur without ever being noticed by most white people, but they create a lasting impression, especially in young minds when racial hatred is demonstrated in the classroom. These impressions can percolate for months and years until they burst upon an unsuspecting community leaving corpses in their wake.

Attempting to tie the hands of teachers to prevent them from teaching about the depth of past racial hatred towards people of color, and the continuation of that hatred, white supremacists are falsely claiming that teaching this history is promoting critical race theory, which they say is harmful to white children. But there appears to be little effective monitoring of the dissemination of racist attitudes and ideas in the classroom. This is a formula for more racist carnage in the future.

America is approaching a disaster of epic proportions. Refusing to acknowledge this crisis and continuing to turn away our eyes will surely bring us more misery and suffering. Mass shootings of all types will continue to plague this country until we face the problem head on and do something about it. And racially motivated mass shootings will continue as an American tradition until we root out all sources of this bigotry and hatred.

Yes, we must push hard for sensible gun laws. But we also must ensure that our educational institutions are not stoking the embers of racial and ethnic intolerance.

October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com

As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.

Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.

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