Mass Shootings in US - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1509 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2018/12/17 Category Law Essay Type Problem solution essay Level High school Tags: School Essay United States Essay Violence Essay Did you like this example? We are living in difficult times. The world today is characterized by so many crises that it has become a norm to experience crisis after crisis. Sadly, the United States has become the center of the crisis in the world, with so many crises since the beginning of the 21st century. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Mass Shootings in US" essay for you Create order Mass shootings in the United States have become the order of the day. These stories even no longer make headlines in the media; they are reported as other news. This is a very sad situation. This essay attempts to address the crisis of mass shootings in the United States and how the problem can be solved or prevented. The essay utilizes information from credible sources and citation has been done accordingly as per the instructed format of citation. To stop the mass shootings crisis, very keen measures should b taken, and that includes regulating gun laws. A crisis also referred to as a catastrophe can be defined as s period of intense danger or difficulty. There are many categories of crisis. Mass shootings, back in the United States at first were not considered to be a crisis. This was because they were perceived to be rare occurrences. For an occurrence to be referred to s a crisis, it must be rampant and occur for a considerable period of time. For example, gay marriages cannot be referred to as a crisis. This is because, for one, there is no potential danger that is associated with gay marriage. Secondly, gay marriages do not need to be stopped and thirdly, they are not so rampant. They are few scattered cases. As the definition dictates, a crisis is periodic, and there is much danger associated with it. Therefore, mass shootings are in every way a crisis. The shootings have been occurring for the year 2010. Of course, there were such cases in the past, but they could not have been defined as a crisis because they were rare. On the morning of 14th December 2012, Adam Lanza, a 20-year-old introvert, woke up, took a gun from his parents drawer, used it to kill his own mother and drove to sandy hook elementary school located in Newtown, Connecticut. The young man shot his way into the locked building, shooting or maiming everybody that blocked his way or appeared in the vicinity. In fifteen minutes or less, the introvert buy had massacred 20 boys and girls in the first grade and six staff members; including teachers. After he realized that he only had one bullet left, he shot himself in the head and died on the spot. The death toll on that single day in the school compound was 27. His father later released a statement saying that he was in a state of disbelief and together with the family, they were trying to find answers. The speculation was that the youth had been teased for quite a long time by his classmates and had decided that enough was enough. This, like many other instances, left the country in a s tate of shock and disbelief. The social media went mad for a few days, and then things were back to normal. The twenty-seven Americans had been buried and forgotten, but their family would live with the sores forever. We are living in an America where a teenager can shoot all his schoolmates over claims that they always tease him or her (Lee, 46). Surely, is this the American dream? The American society has a problem, and it is a problem that the people of the united states have brought upon themselves, in a bid to protect their rights (Schildkraut et al, 90).To solve a problem, it is best to address it from the grass root. The grass root of mass killings in America is the fact that over 40% of households in America own a gun. Mass shootings are done by use of these firearms. Interestingly, most of the people who perform these acts own licensed firearms (Weinberger et al, 69). Each year in the United States, guns are connected to over 500,000 crimes. These crimes resulted in 110, 00 or more injuries. The number of citizens who are injured dwarfs the number of those who are killed. Each day, the national electronic injury surveillance system provides an estimate of about 200 injuries which occur from gun violence. Twenty people out of these are fatal, and a considerable number results in deaths. This is simply an overview of what guns have done to the American society. The national conversation about gun violence often misses both pictures about gun violence in the United States (Lankford, 56). This Is because it fails to discuss mass shootings in details. Over the past few years, mass shootings can be defined the United States biggest crisis. More and more lives are being lost, giving more reason why the crisis should be dealt with instantly. A mass shooting is an American problem, and the solution is simply American. So far, the reasoning that has been applied in dealing with the crisis has been rather unAmerican. This great nation has dedicated its resources to global prominence more than in solving its own domestic issues. The source of the problem, as stated earlier is guns; therefore, the primary solution should be dealing with gun regulatory laws in the country. The American people view guns as security equipment from any form of danger. Naturally, the most obvious form of danger is human being himself. Truth is spoken, the United States is a country of crime. The crime levels in America have hit unthinkable levels over the past few decades. This fact bases the arguments of people who support civilian gun ownership. However, there is a different perspective. How about if no civilian owned a gun? The natural answer to this is that the American people would not need guns as they would not have much to protect themselves from. Therefore, regulating gun laws such that very few people own guns would be a perfect solution for dealing with mass shootings. Truth be spoken, guns are doing more harm than good in the United States society (Metzl, et al, 45). Therefore, banning guns would not only solve the problem of mass shootings but would also solve many more problems (Nedzel et al, 123). Most people who are arrested every day are arrested for gun-related crimes, mass shootings being one of them. Civilian ownership of guns has even complicated crime in America that even the police themselves have become victims of mass shootings. There have been reported cases whereby the police have also been shot by someone on a shooting spree as they try to stop him. Gun regulatory laws have been in the discussion for a very long time. With most of the American population vouching for guns in the argument that security starts with you. However, if you can get access to friends and families of victims of gun violence, then you would know the pain that comes with losing loved one from equipment that was supposed to protect that very person. Notably, individuals who perform these acts do not steal these guns, in fact, most of them have no past criminal records. This backs up the argument that these people perform these crimes for the one reason that guns are readily available. After the shooting spree, most of them shoot themselves and therefore, there is no one left to answer to these crimes against humanity. Those who do not kill themselves are arrested by the police and most end up with capital punishment anyway, and therefore at the end of the day, death is paid with death, blood for blood and an eye for an eye. This is simply not a solution to be applied especially in this era. Mass shootings are an occurrence which should be avoided, and avoiding it simply means regulating civilian ownership of Guns. In conclusion, it is apparent that we are living in a united state that was not the dream of our forefathers. Mass shootings have been so rampant that they are competing with terrorism in statistics of the numbers which have succumbed to their results. Therefore, mass shooting is a crisis which should be dealt with in the most effective way possible. Interestingly, this solution is very simple and does not require too much of the taxpayers money directed towards it. It pertains regulating civilian ownership of guns, by revising the gun ownership laws. Work cited Lankford, Adam. Mass shooters in the USA, 1966–2010: Differences between attackers who live and die.? Justice Quarterly? 32.2 (2015): 360-379. Lee, Barbara A. Dealing with students with psychiatric disorders on campus: Legal compliance and prevention strategies.? JC UL? 40 (2014): 425. Metzl, Jonathan M., and Kenneth T. MacLeish. Mental illness, mass shootings, and the politics of American firearms.? Journal Information? 105.2 (2015). Nedzel, Nadia E. Concealed carry: The only way to discourage mass school shootings.? Academic Questions? 27.4 (2014): 429-435. Schildkraut, Jaclyn, and Tiffany Cox Hernandez. Laws that bit the bullet: A review of legislative responses to school shootings.? American Journal of Criminal Justice? 39.2 (2014): 358-374. Weinberger, Steven E., et al. Firearm-related injury and death in the United States.? Annals of internal medicine? 163.4 (2015): 322-323.

The Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass - 2047 Words

Frederick Douglass was an African American social reformer, orator, and writer. He became the leader of the of the abolitionist movement after escaping from slavery and publishing his autobiography, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. His narrative showed white anti-slavery sympathizers, how slaves were brutalized by the slave holding system. Harriet Jacobs was an African American writer who escaped from slavery and was later freed. She became an abolitionist speaker and reformer. Jacobs wrote her autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl and published the book in 1861 under the name of Linda Brent. By reading slave narrative written by male and female is the idea of their experience as male or female such that†¦show more content†¦I still made him no answer, nor did I move to strip myself. Upon this he rushed at me with the fierceness of a tiger, tore off my clothes, and lashed me till he had worn out his switches, cutting me so savagely as to leave the marks visible for a long time. (Douglass 357). With this in mind, Douglass demonstrated that his commitment to nonviolent resistance was crucial in securing his passage to manhood and self-actualization; he was a model of patience, endurance, and fortitude. This demonstrated male maturity through his courageous action. An example of how Douglass had patience, endurance and fortitude were when Mr. Convey did not teach Douglass to manage the oxen. He sends Douglass with a team of oxen into the forest to retrieve some wood, therefore he does not know how to managed the oxen and upset the cart; he narrowly escapes injury and got stranded in the middle of the woods with a damaged cart and a team of oxen tangled in their own reins. He managed to untangle the oxen and control them; the oxen becomes frightened for a second time and runs off. He returns to his mater and reports what happen. Mr. Convey punished Douglass by making him take off his clothes; he didn t listen to his master s orders and was forced to take off his clothes by his master. Mr. Convey tried breaking Douglass as he felt that he was broken in body, soul and spirit. He is constantly abused by Mr. Convey as a result, he had patience, endurance, and fortitude. Douglass

How helpful is it to call the Merchant of Venice a comedy Essay Example For Students

How helpful is it to call the Merchant of Venice a comedy Essay The term comedy is a story that ends in a happy resolution, often in marriage. Since the Merchant of Venice is classed as a romantic comedy, it also involves an engaging heroine. The comedy usually involves a struggle but towards the end, all pieces are supposed to fall into place. The characters and their discomfitures engage our pleasurable attention rather than out profound concern M. H. Abhram (i. e. rather than feeling sympathetic for the misfortunes of characters on stage, we respond to them in a positive and amusing manner). One typical characteristic of a comedy is that it usually contains humour in one way or another. The Merchant of Venice is definitely a play which contains plenty of humours scenes. In fact, in the second scene of the play; a lighter humorous tone is introduced. In this scene, Portia describes the male characters using national stereotypes in quite an amusing manner. He bought his doublet in Italy, hose in France, and his behaviour everywhere. (L61). Portia also jokes and exaggerates her negative opinions of the gentlemen who want her hand in marriage God defend me from these two! (L44). The fact that this casual scene is written in prose rather than blank verse also suggests that the tone is less serious. Another comical scene is II. ii where Lancelot, Shylocks clumsy servant is introduced. There are many examples of malapropism in his speech Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation. (L21). We can tell that although he says incarnation he actually means incarnate. Though this may perhaps be less humorous to the modern audience, when this play was initially written; it is likely that an Elizabethan audience would have reacted differently to this. There is also darker ironic comedy later in the scene when Lancelots father Gobbo enters and fails to recognise his son. Master Young man, you (L25). Act II, scene ix can also be regarded as a humorous event in the story at the expense of the Prince of Arragon. In this scene, Arragon is portrayed as a man who is shallow since he refuses to give and hazard all he hath simply for base lead. This shows that he is one to judge on appearance. Arragon goes on to pick to dismiss the gold casket in a hypocritical manner as he refuses to jump with common spirits (L31). This not only reveals an inflated opinion of himself and a rather low opinion of others, causing the majority of the audience to respond unfavourably to actions. Furthermore, he rarely mentions Portia in this scene and this also gives us a negative impression of him. It is even more ironic the way he happens to get what he deserves (L49). Before he unlocks the casket, his assumption of desert (L50) is also another example of arrogance. Effectively, the Prince of Arragon has been made a scapegoat for the audience to laugh at and the way that he fails miserably in his quest despite his own self-confidence is quite amusing Still more fool I shall appear. (L72). This scene is also emphasised as something comedic considering how it contrasts with the previous casket scene with Morocco in II. viii. In this scene, though Morocco is confident in himself; he shows caring for Portia and picks the wrong casket for the right reason Never so rich a gem, Was set in worse than gold. (L54-55). So we feel sympathetic for his losses. Arragon has picked the wrong casket for the wrong reason so we laugh at his losses. The contrast makes Arragons losses even more laughable and even more amusing in comparison with Moroccos. Another area of the play which could perhaps be regarded as humorous could be II. viii where Salarino and Salanio are making cruel jokes mocking Shylock behind his back. My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! (L15). Although the modern audience may see this scene as a harsh one, to an Elizabethan audience; the response may have been very different. Back in Elizabethan times, there would have been issues of prejudice between Christians and Jews. Therefore, it is possible that a Christian audience who responded unfavourably to Shylock may have found this scene quite amusing. Speaking of the Elizabethan audience, they may also have found that Shylocks ending may have been positive. Although many would regard his end as one which is tragic, some could argue that by forcing Shylock to become a Christian; Antonio rescued Shylock and gave him salvation. This is due to the fact that in Elizabethan times, people believed that only Christians could go to heaven and Jews were unable to. The ring bond which both Bassanio and Gratiano make with their lovers could also be regarded as a comic event in the Merchant of Venice. It is made clear in Act III Scene ii that if this ring, Which when one parts from, Presages the ruin of love (L171-173). Though later in Act IV Scene I, Nerissa and Portia (disguised as the lawyer and clerk) request that these rings be given to them as reward for their good deed. For your love, Ill take this ring from you. (L423). This is done in order to test Bassanio and Gratiano on their faithfulness towards Portia and Nerissa. Ill see if I can get my husbands ring, Which I did make him swear to keep forever (L13-14). The use of dramatic irony gives the audience quite an amusing overview of the entire situation. Later in Act V, a joke is played on Bassanio and Gratiano by Portia and Nerissa giving them quite a scare as a way of punishing them for their carelessness. Nerissa for example complains that her ring was given away to a scrubbi d boy (L261). This is quite funny one the audiences part seeing the two males squirm at the feet of their lovers By my soul I swear I will nevermore break an oath with thee (L249). Though besides the humor, the episode of the ring bond runs through like a typical comedy. Even though the course of love between the ring bearers has not run smoothly, Gratiano and Bassanio were forgiven in the end. The last two lines of the play are displayed in rhyming couplets to emphasize the resolution. Well, while I live Ill fear no other thing, So sore as keeping safe Nerissas ring. (L306-307). Speaking of the rest of Act V, there is a strong sense of harmony. Soft stillness of the night Becomes the touches of sweet harmony. (L57). Like a romantic comedy it ends in a marriage. Not just one marriage, but three marriages. Who Do You Think Is Responsible For Eva's Death And Why? EssayIn Act V, Shylock has been reduced to a non-entity and this is a final statement of just how badly he has fallen due to his own actions and this effectively could characterize him as a tragic character. It is also arguable that all of the losses and all of the pain Antonio has gone through in this play could be regarded as something tragic. He is brought ever so close to his death and had Portia not been there to save him, his life would have been at the mercy of Shylock. Keeping in mind Shylocks personality, he would not have hesitated to cut his pound of flesh from Antonio. Antonio could perhaps also have a fatal flaw in him that leads to his potential downfall and I think this is probably his excessive caring and compassion for his friends. This is most evident in the first scene of the play when he speaks with Bassanio. In Bassanios speech starting from L121, we can tell he is trying to build up a persuasive argument to ask Antonio to lend him money. Before Bassanio finishes, Antonio tells him to let him know (L134) what he wants. My purse, my person, my extremest means, lie unlocked to your occasions. (L137-138). This shows he is willing to also offer up all of his services to Bassanio regardless of the consequence and it is carelessness that leads him into the predicament with Shylock. Though it is possible to say, that since Antonio did not die in the end and since he turned out relatively well; his role cannot be regarded as a tragic one. Antonio is in fact perhaps one of the luckiest characters in the play. Not only does he manage to escape death, he is also fortunate to have his ships arrive from sea despite all the other news that has come concerning it. Three of your argosies, richly come to harbour (L278, V. i. . Yet another counter-argument states that the miseries that Antonio suffers are not typical of a comedy either. The society in which this play is set in is also questionable when considering whether it is a comedy or tragedy. This world seems to be far more than the mere fairytale land at which it first appears. Unlike characters in an ordinary comedy, many of the characters in The Merchant of Venice possess a bitter prejudice against people of other races and religions. Most prominent of these areas are perhaps the attitudes of the Christian characters towards Shylock. Examples of this are shown in II. iii when Salarino and Solanio refer to Shylock as The villain Jew (L4) and The dog Jew (L14). Throughout the play, there are few times where others refer to Shylock by his name; many refer to him as The Jew, often coupled with various other unpleasant adjectives. This shows that these characters are discriminating against Shylock primarily due to his religion and his faith. In the opening scenes of the play, Portia also shows signs of racial discrimination when she speaks of Morocco, claiming that even if he hath the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil (i. e. f he was of a darker skin colour). (L107), she would refuse to marry him. This shows that the world of this play is one this is somewhat unpleasant and not typical of a comedy. The ending in Act V is also more than it simply appears on the surface. Even though it may seem resolved and complete on the outside, there is still a prevailing dark undertone that one cannot help but realise. For example, during the romantic scene between Lorenzo and Jessica, other pairs of lovers are such as Troilus and Cressid (L4-6); Pyramus and Thisbe (L8); Dido and Carthage (L10-12) and Medea and Aeson (L13-14). When we look into the stories of these lovers, they all deal with tragedy and betrayal. For a newly married couple, it seems somewhat unusual and gloomy to compare themselves with these tragic lovers. Also, despite the fact that the tragic character of Shylock may have left the play; there are still a few areas where he is hinted at in the final scene. The man that hath no music, is fit for treasons, stratagems etc (L85). Since it is known for Shakespeare to generally relate positive things with music, it is unlikely that Lorenzo is referring to anyone else. However, this comment seems to reflect ironically upon Lorenzo when we consider what he has done in the past. He was in fact the one that used treasons and stratagems to win Jessica over and steal her from Shylock. It makes him appear a little hypocritical in his speech. Portia is also guilty of this when she speaks of her good deed in a naughty world. (L91). But when we think about all the pain Shylock has been put through, her actions were not necessarily a good deed. Lastly, in Act V; Antonio (though reunited with his money) is not united with any female in this play. He has no lover to share his fortunes with and this shows that Act V is perhaps not an entirely neat or happy ending and effectively shows that the ending of the Merchant of Venice may not be entirely comical after all. In the end however, I would say it is quite useful to classify The Merchant of Venice as a comedy. Even though many would argue that the it is a tragicomedy (with elements of both a tragedy and a comedy) or a problem play (a play that is difficult to characterise), there are very few films that are entirely clear cut with elements of only one type of play. For example, when we look at Macbeth there are some elements of humour in the play (Porter scene as Mac Duff enters Macbeths castle) but no one has ever doubted that the play is a tragedy. Tragic plays can have comic elements and comedic plays can have tragic elements. I believe that since The Merchant of Venice predominantly contains comic elements, it should be classified as a comedy.