Four dead: two math teachers, and two students; including countless injuries were sustained by innocent people at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on Wednesday, 4 September 2024. I feel like America has become desensitized to school shootings at this point. It’s a vicious cycle of tragedy, an outcry for prayer, gun law reform, waiting for a change that never comes, and the cycle continues. Politicians care more about money than innocent lives; especially children.
Colt Gray was only 14 years old, like two of his murdered victims. His aunt mentioned that he had been abused for years and was pleading for help as his mental health was deteriorating. Colt’s father was extremely abusive and his mother has several felonies. Unfortunately, Colt was ridiculed and called gay by his classmates. To endure that amount of pressure and trauma as a teenager is unbearable. However, no one deserves to lose their life because of someone else’s trauma. If only Colt could have received genuine help much sooner, then maybe this shooting would have not happened. Perhaps his father should have never brought him a gun for Christmas either. There are so many variables and complexities you never notice until it’s too late.
After each day of school, I ask my sons, “Did anything make you sad/angry today, what made you happy?” At least twice a month, I ask “Did anyone touch you illegally in your private areas?” These questions lead to all types of responses and conversations. When I was in grade school bullying was just what kids dealt with. You fought with your fists and got suspended or not. Now, the backlash of bullying could result in murder.
The prince of the air uses airwaves and media as an advantage. With all the latest technology, social media platforms, violent video games, and the heavy influence of music/frequencies, what’s streaming into children is sucking the life out of them; leaving them empty and unable to differentiate between right and wrong. A lot of teens live in a delusional make believe world, where violence is normal.
Right after the Apalachee shooting nearly 20 arrests have been made metro Atlanta, due to the uptick in school threats.
Prayer and communion with God is the only answer. Whether or not prayer is sanctioned in schools by the federal government, student should form prayer groups across the educational system; whether that is grade school or college. Despite what form of spirituality a student subscribes to, there should be a collective thought of peace and non-violence.
