go to school, I home home every night. Nothing special,
nothing extravagant. I'm no better than anyone else, I'm
no less than anyone else. I have the same hopes, the
same fears, the same questions, and the same
daydreams. There are people like me in every state, in every
city, in every school, and in every classroom. This morning
15 students, just like me, got up, got dressed, and
went to school. Some, like me, were running late, some early,
some worried about that test they had first period, some
were daydreaming about the cute boy that had the locker right
next to theirs, some were thinking about the friend they had
gotten in a fight with the night before, some were giggling
with each other about the substitute with the
big bright red wig. Not one of these students, just like me, was
worried about walking into that school, the school they
walk into every other Monday through Friday for nine months
out of the year, and being shot at. There is a
difference between these 15 students and me, I came home
after school, I will be able to go on that date Friday,
and pass that test, I will be able to graduate, and I
am still alive. I asked God, "Why? Why do bad things
happen?," and as much as I wanted a straightforward answer
from Him, I didn't get one. And I know I won't. I did get
something else. I got a feeling deep down in my heart that
says, "This shouldn't happen. I can do something about
it." I have the ability to change the world. God said
that with faith, I can move mountains. I have some
mountains to move. I have no idea how to solve this
problem. I have no idea what has gone wrong in the
heads of so many of my peers, and I don't know how to stop
it. but I am sure going to try. Today I was saddened by
what happened. I was scared, and I was confused. but most
of all, I was ashamed. I am ashamed. I am ashamed of my
generation, of my classmates, of my friends, and of myself.
These shootings were done by kids my own age. Kids that you
pass on the street, kids with friends, and kids with families.
The kids that died are the same. These kids
that were killed are innocent victims. They did not deserve to
die and nothing can ever come close to making what happened
justifiable. Those that ignore this, as I have, for the
past, however many years, are those that I am ashamed of. What
has to happen? Does it have to happen to your family,
to your kids, to your friends, to your life to open your eyes?
Are you going to wait still? I refuse. I refuse to
watch this happen anymore. I refuse to be a victim. I don't
know how I am supposed to change the world, but I will. I am
not going to stand by any longer and watch my generation flush
society down the toilet. The streets aren't safe, parks aren't
safe, homes aren't safe, and now schools aren't safe.
There is something wrong with this picture, and I feel sorry
for those that don't see it, but most of all I pity those
that do but choose to ignore it. I am making a vow to
myself to stand up against it, to make a difference. and I pray I
am not alone. My name is Jayson Martin from Littleton,
Colorado, & I would like to send prayers out to my friends
who were in Columbine H.S. I would like everyone to please
say a prayer for the safety of everyone who was involved in
this terrible tragedy. It is something that has hurt me today
as well as my friends, I'm grateful for my safety and their
safety."
-J. Martin following the Columbine tragedy