LETTERS: CHILDREN OFTEN IMITATE VIOLENCE AROUND THEM

To the editor:

A young child was growing up in the usual way. It was a simpler time when everyone knew each other. Mothers swapped recipes and coupons. Fathers coached the Little League team. The bully at school was disciplined. Hard work was rewarded. Most everyone went hunting, so everyone had guns. But children weren't killing each other.

A child was going to school. She had her backpack checked at the door. She sat in fear of her life, because some children in her school were bullies. She was distraught by the way her classmates treated her. She was told that hurting another person was wrong, but the bully was admired. And everyone laughed when he held her down. They shouted, "Your mother is poor and your clothes are rags. You must be bad because you are different. Why should I go to school with someone who doesn't believe the same things as my mom? I know she is right. She says you are lazy and your religion is wrong, you live in a trailer and your daddy is gone. Why can't you be like everyone else?"

The next day the child stole a gun and found a way to sneak it into school. She thought to herself as she held it up, this will get me the respect I want. All the other children will cheer as I give that bully what he deserves. It will make me just like everyone else.

CAROL POOLE

Jackson, Mo.