Is it just me or does America seem more violent than it has been in decades?
There seems to be an influx of senseless crimes and random acts of violence that is incredibly disconcerting.
Take the case of Jessica Ridgeway into consideration. Ten-year-old Ridgeway of Colorado was reported missing earlier this month. At some point after leaving her home and before meeting friends to walk to school, Ridegway was abducted. A week into the investigation, her mutilated body was found. Because of some sick person who is still roaming free, an innocent 10-year-old child will never have the opportunity to grow into adulthood.
These are indeed troubling times.
Here’s another senseless crime.
Last week, a 54-year-old man was minding his own business as he waited outside a convenience store while his elderly father shopped. Out of the blue, a suspect threw a Molotov cocktail bomb at the victim. The victim was immediately engulfed in flames. In the graphic video, a woman is shown feverishly trying to pull her baby stroller away from the flames. The man who was set on fire was rushed to the hospital with second and third degree burns. He is in serious, but stable condition. The victim did not know his attacker, and the entire incident is considered a random act of violence. Although video of the incident has been released in hopes of someone identifying the assailant, no one has been arrested in the crime.
These are indeed troubling times.
But the randomness doesn’t end with these two recent incidents.
Last weekend, carrying a .40 caliber handgun, 45-year-old Ratcliffe Haughton stormed into a Wisconsin spa where his wife worked. Two days earlier his wife had been granted a four-year restraining order. Haughton opened fire throughout the 9,000 square-foot building, killing four people including his wife and injuring four others. Haughton was found in a locked room, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
These are indeed troubling times.
All these random acts of violence are troubling and no matter how hard we try to not let it affect our everyday lives, it does. It plays on one’s psyche and it reminds us that simple things like going for a walk, shopping at a store, or enjoying time at the spa or movie theater can not be taken for granted. It reminds us that safety is never really guaranteed.
I consider myself very strong mentally with a solid spiritual foundation, but even I am affected when I partake in casual activities that once seemed “non-threatening.” Every time I have gone to the movies since the, “The Dark Knight Rises” shooting spree I have deliberately looked for exits in the theater and even assessed the space on the floor in the event that I had to take cover. Again, I am a strong person with tremendous faith in God, yet I am stirred.
Is this the way we should be living in America?
Terrorists are no longer the only people we should be leery of. Now we have to be leery of everyone.
These are indeed troubling times.
If I think about the way of life for many Americans over the past two or three decades; I suppose I am not really that surprised that we have become as violent as we have.
In the last 20 or so years, there has been an influx of violent video games, teen pregnancy (though down in recent years) was at its peak, even more fathers were absent from their child’s life, and social media and Internet games have allowed many people to “escape” realities of their own lives and limited real, in your face social interaction with other human beings. And, though it may sound corny, people have lacked genuine love in their lives. Love from parents, friends, and love for themselves.
All of these contributing factors have led to the crazy state that we currently find ourselves in. The only way to dig out of this rut and make things better for future generations is by addressing some of the foundational things that impact people’s lives. Anything other than that will result in more violence and indeed, even more troubling times.
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
