violence

In light of increased focus on campus violence, experts from different disciplines convened at the Columbia Law School on Friday to discuss “Violence on Campus: Prediction, Prevention, and Response.” The conference called into question the effectiveness of current systems universities use to prevent and cope with violence.

If I were ever shot in the arm, I might scream from the pain—hopefully in a pitch deeper than the voice of a kindergartner on helium. I would probably cry, despite myself.

When Sean Taylor, a rising star with the Washington Redskins, was fatally shot in his own home while his fiancée and daughter cowered in the next room, media coverage was quick to point out his troubled past. He was killed by one of four young men who were also black. That they were there only to burglarize his home, which they thought was unoccupied, is of no consequence, despite the argument of one of their defense lawyers. It’s an unfortunate fact that society sees this first as a black-on-black crime. We’re automatically suspicious, having seen one too many stories about athletes and guns. Once again, the stereotype is reinforced.