Eigth Grader Arrested in Hate Crime Shooting

On Tuesday morning, during his first period class, a 14 year old eigth grader from Oxnard, California's, E.O. Green Junior High School, shot and rendered a fellow classmate brain dead. The young accused is being charged with committing a hate crime, and is expected to be tried as an adult. He is facing 25 years to life. Although details are still sketchy, it is alleged that the suspect shot his classmate because he was sometimes known to wear makeup. Unfortunately, and understandably, this story has been overshadowed by the dreadful shooting at Nothern Illinois University. However, from all perspectives, it is just as heartwrenching.

There are so many things wrong with this picture, I simply don't know where to begin. I guess the first question is, how can someone so young generate this much hate? Where did it come from? In my mind I have reviewed the extreme homophobia exhibited by our elected officials and the supposed stalwart pundits of God. But these are supposed to be adult issues, not those of innocent children.

Please don't get me wrong, I am in no way condoning what this young man has done. He is, I believe, old enough to know right from wrong, and should be made to face the consequences of his actions. But I have to question what role his family life, and an intolerant society played in his decision to virtually mortally wound a fellow classmate because he wore makeup. Although the victim survived, he is brain dead and living on life support. He is not expected to recover.

This is supposed to be the greatest and most tolerant country in the world. We constantly criticize those nations that have abhorent human rights policies; yet, we consistently have these types of incidents right in our own backyards. The sad thing is that the hate we generate as adults is now trickling down to our much younger citizens. What is even more sad is that we as adults won't even give this issue a second thought until it hits home.

We've got to do better America. We are losing an entire generation to violence and hate. I hear the presidential candidates talk about a myriad of issues. I for one would like for someone to address the issue of how we will save our future. I want to see parents made accountable for their children's actions. I have teenagers, and you better believe that I ask the nosey, uncomfortable questions; meet the parents of their friends; drop them off at the front door of a friend's party; have them call me with updates; and set the ground rules parents are supposed to set. I may be a pain, but at least I know that I use all of my God given powers to assure that my children are my priority, and live a healthy existance.

I would like to send out my condolences to both families. When you really think about it, they both have lost children.