Isabella Thompson reflects on her experiences with the shooter, asserting he was the true aggressor at Stoneman Douglas High School, not the victims. In the aftermath of a tragedy, it’s common for survivors and bystanders to seek someone to blame. In the case of the Parkland shooting, many—including figures from the NRA and various right-wing commentators—have misguidedly shifted the blame onto the surviving students instead of the perpetrator. This is not only unjust but demonstrates a troubling lack of understanding.
Isabella’s poignant op-ed in the New York Times, titled “I Attempted to Connect with Nikolas Cruz. He Still Took My Friends,” highlights the fallacy of believing that kindness from peers could have changed Cruz’s violent trajectory. She recounts a disturbing encounter from years prior when he assaulted her in the cafeteria. Yet, she still attempted to show compassion by offering him tutoring. Unfortunately, his response was to make her feel uncomfortable with inappropriate behavior.
Isabella argues against the narrative that suggests if students had been kinder to Cruz, the tragedy could have been avoided. She critiques the #WalkUpNotOut movement that surfaced during #NationalWalkoutDay, stating, “The idea that Mr. Cruz’s mental health could have been rectified through more affection from classmates is a severe misunderstanding of mental illness and a dangerous notion that places undue responsibility on children.”
Moreover, she emphasizes that it is not the duty of students to expose themselves to potential harm from known aggressors. “The responsibility lies with the school administration and guidance counselors to identify at-risk students and ensure they receive appropriate assistance,” Isabella asserts, even if that means seeking help outside the school environment.
Her op-ed has resonated widely on social media, as who better to discuss the Parkland shooting than a student who lived through the horror and had direct interactions with the shooter? It raises an essential question: how many times must these students express that Cruz was a threat before society ceases to blame them for the tragic loss of life—over something as trivial as not sitting next to him in the cafeteria when it was common knowledge he posed a danger?
The complexities surrounding this tragedy extend well beyond a simple call for kindness. While promoting empathy is vital in education, it cannot be viewed as a panacea. “When someone reveals their true nature, believe them,” Isabella reflects, emphasizing that kindness alone could not have altered Cruz’s fundamental character. “No amount of compassion could have changed who Nikolas Cruz was or the atrocities he committed. This narrative is a weak excuse for the failures of our educational system, government, and gun legislation.”
In conclusion, the Parkland shooting and its aftermath reveal deep-rooted issues that go far beyond the actions of individual students. It is a systemic problem that requires a comprehensive solution, rather than placing the burden on students to fix it with mere kindness. For more on related topics, check out our post on pregnancy and home insemination at Modern Family Blog, and see this excellent resource on treating infertility.
Summary
Isabella Thompson, a survivor of the Parkland shooting, argues against misplaced blame on students for the tragedy. In her op-ed, she recounts her experiences with shooter Nikolas Cruz, emphasizing that kindness alone cannot address the deep-rooted issues behind such violence. She calls for a focus on systemic solutions rather than placing responsibility on students to show compassion to known aggressors.