Saturday, April 4, 1998 | 4:02 a.m.
Why, why, why do we have all this discourse, lamenting and regret after a tragedy like what has happened in Jonesboro, Ark.? Why isn't more done to prevent these tragedies?
The symptoms and road signs are there, showing where a disoriented, out-of-touch-with-reality personality is going, but parents, friends, teachers and the law tend to say, "It can't happen here," or "Not my child." This belief is shattered when it does happen.
We had a similar tragedy at Valley High School some years ago. A teacher was killed, others wounded. From what I read in the paper, this boy was crying out for help with his actions -- no one took him seriously, not his parents, not his teachers, not his classmates who made fun of him.
It could have been prevented. I did not know the boy, his teacher, parents or classmates, but I do recognize a cry for help. A sick personality will get attention, quite often disastrously. Call me a "bleeding heart," or anything else -- I don't care -- but at least I do have a heart, especially where kids are concerned.
When the furor dies down, who will remember and try to prevent the next tragedy?
Ann Stewart
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