Virginia Tech Massacre, Research Paper Example

Understanding How the Virginia Tech Massacre Could Have Been Prevented

Every violent reaction comes from a particular source that could have been prevented in the past. The same situation goes with the occurrence of the Virginia Tech Massacre. Seung-Hui Cho, the perpetrator of the massacre was a senior-level high school who was perceived to present particular signs during his past years of relationship with both students and teachers however were specifically disregarded to present serious issues that could cause a social menace. Most often than not, cases like that of Cho is presented to have been disregarded during the onset of the signs of the irregularities of the behavior of the perpetrators.

Coming to the attention of what the past records of Cho has imposed on his personal behavior, it has been reported that he has been observed to have menacing behaviors however this was reprimanded and then set aside, assuming that the situation was simply a result from his being an immigrant to the country. It is a regular assumption that immigrants to the American country [especially the ones coming from the Asian regions] usually experience a particular source of intimidation especially in the aspect of getting along with the American culture [specifically pointing out to how they configure their use of the English Language]. On the part of Cho, his first entrant in his elementary school, he was considered a charming and intelligent child who was loved by all. However, behind all the smiles at school, he goes home crying and filled with tantrums saying that he does not want to go back to school. The onset of this problem has caused the parents of Cho to find a way to get some professional help which lead them to the diagnosis of the child having anxiety disorders. In a specific course of intervention, Cho was placed in a special education section so as to give him an reliable therapy that would likely help him overcome his symptoms especially that of his case on selective mutism which caused his problems in speech [which on the other hand also caused his bullies to throw insults at him]. In the course of solving this problem it was also mentioned that he was observed to be having particular social anxiety disorders. Addressing these symptoms early on with the proper assumption of Cho’s situation could have been a good source of structural prevention of the massacre. Then again, most of his mentors and teachers only saw the menacing behavior he has and not address the sources of such matters. Only a few actually cared to give attention to the background aspect of the problem and to those who did, not many actually pursued to help him out. Later investigations even posted that he was also assumed to have been developing the symptoms of schizophrenia. Not being able to understand what he was feeling or why he was experiencing the urges of killing people or being violent to others, Cho was assumed to have taken the heat against others.

Several elements further aggravated the situation of Cho causing him to lose control of his anger and his anxiety. One of which is the pressing pressure from his bullies in school. Thinking that he would not retaliate or at least unknowingly ignorant about his anger, these bullies imposed on the completion of the plan of Cho to retaliate to the supposed “cruelty” he has been experiencing under their pervasive treatment of him as a laughing-stock. On the other end, the reports behind his being intelligent should have been given particular attention to hence balancing the attention of his critics during the time therefore helping him develop away from his anger.

In a way, Cho’s case was a mere implication of the society not giving much attention to the “how[s]” and the “why[s]” of the situation. The only matter they focus upon is the result of such issues and do not attempt to search deeper anymore for answers that could solve the situation. Understandably, the level of determination that the society has in solving issues such as Cho’s even before his breaking point could have prevented the loss of 32 lives that was wasted during the massacre. Every gradual step towards solving a social issue could lead to saving the lives of many especially in cases like this one with Cho and other students or young individuals who are experiencing pressure and anxiety over the social system that they are intended to live along with.

References

Cho, D. & Gardner, A. (2007, April 21). An isolated boy in a world of strangers. The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/20/AR2007042002366.html. (Retrieved November 13, 2011).

King, Stephen (April 20, 2007). “On Predicting Violence“. Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20036014,00.html. (Retrieved on November 13, 2011).

Williams, P. (April 19, 2007). Cho prepared in advance for rampage: Killer amassed arsenal, practiced shooting for at least a month. MSNBC.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18209746#.Tr9wMT2O3To. (Retrieved on November 13, 2011).

Nolan, J. & Ress, D. (April 21, 2007). Two hours forever changed Virginia Tech. The Richmond-Times Dispatch.http://media.mgnetwork.com/imd/VTShooting/article53.htm. (Retrieved on November 13, 2011).