April 21, 2000 marked the one year that has passed since the shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. We thought that this chain e-mail we got in our inbox was a chilling reminder of how crazy things can get. We don't know if the author is truly the person he says he is, but the feelings are still true.
- Tiny Giant
I am 17. I'm just like any other teenager. I get up every morning, go to school, I come 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 country, 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 who 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. But 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.
But 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 straight forward answer from Him, I didn't get one, and I know I won't. But I did get something else. I got a feeling deep down in my heart that says, "This shouldn't happen and I can do something about it. I have the ability to change the world. God said that with faith, I can move mountains. And 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 the things that are wrong, 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? Because 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 for anyone who is willing to make a stand with me to write their name down. 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 and I'm grateful for my safety and their safety.
Please Forward this to as many people as you can. Let us all come together and pray that this tragedy ends soon. Thank you.
**Copy this letter, add your name and forward it to as many people as you know.
>>> > 1. Jayson L., Colorado
>>> > 2. Michelle R. Aurora, Colorado
>>> > 3 Brooke A. Littleton,Colorado
>>> > 4. Adam B. Denver, Co.
>>> > 5. Brian P., Golden, CO, born in Littleton
>>> > 6. Jessica R. Littleton, Colorado
>>> > 7. Andrew V. Littleton, Colorado
>>> > 8. Ryan L., Littleton, Colorado
>>> > 9. Molly E., Littleton, Colorado
>>> > 10. Mandy, Littleton, Colorado
>>> > 11. Cody, Highlands Ranch, CO
>>> > 13. Kellie, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
>>> > 14. Rebecca, Littleton, CO
>>> > 15. Sarah, Littleton, CO
>>> > 16. Kelly, St.Louis, MO
>>> > 17. Christina, St. Louis, MO
>>> > 18. Jami,St. Louis, MO
>>> > 19. Linda, St. Louis, MO
>>> > 20. Melissa, St. Louis, MO
>>> > 21. Kari, St. Louis, MO
>>> > 22. Bethany,St. Louis, MO
>>> > 23. Justin C., Circleville, OH
>>> > 24. Michelle, Lebanon, PA
>>> > 25. Clay, College Station, TX
>>> > 26. Ryan, College Station,TX
>>> > 27. Monty, Springfield Colo.
>>> > 28. Eddy, Franktown Colo.
>>> > 29. Merry, Elizabeth, CO
>>> > 30. Brian, Divide Co.
>>> > 31. Jill, Navarre, FL
>>> > 32. Amy, Navarre, Fl
>>> > 33. Randy and Catherine, Navarre, FL
>>> > 34. Natalie Suzanne, Floral City, FL
>>> > 35. The Everitt Family - Georgia
>>> > 36. Sherry, Dalton, GA
>>> > 37. Cathy, Raleigh, NC
>>> > 38. Tobin, Cary, NC
>>> > 39. Jaci, Atlanta, GA
>>> > 40. LeeAnn, Atlanta,GA
>>> > 41. Jackie Shedrow, Atlanta, GA
>>> > 42. Nuala , Atlanta, Georgia
>>> > 43. Betsy, Atlanta, Georgia
>>> > 44. Melinda, Nashville,>TN>
>>> > 45. Nuala
>>> > 45. Ellie, Washington, DC
>>> > 46. Dana, Washington, DC
>>> > 47. Martina, Germany, BY
>>> > 48. Martin, Germany
>>> > 49. Kim-Mai ,Germany
>>> > 50. Loan, Germany
>>> > 51. Claudi, Penzberg, Germany
>>> > 52. Nina, Fairfax, VT
>>> > 53. Sarah,Tutzing, Germany
>>> > 54. Florian, Innsbruck, Austria
>>> > 55. Robert, Innsbruck, Austria
>>> > 56. David, Eggenburg, Austria
>>> > 57. Richard, Vienna, Austria
>>> > 58. Monika,Silver Spring, MD
>>> > 60. Shawna, New York, USA
>>> > 61. Stacy, North Tonawanda, NY
>>> > 62. Jennifer, Alabama
>>> > 63. Jessica, NY, USA
>>> > 64. Vicki, Round Lake, IL
>>> > 65. Susan, Vernon Hills, IL
>>> > 66. Tricia C. Springfield, MA
>>> > 67. Charisma, Springfield
>>> > 69: Jessica, Chicopee MA
>>> > 70. Sara, Chicopee, MA
>>> > 71. Diane, Chicopee, MA
>>> > 72. Pam, Chicopee, MA
>>> > 73. Nicole E
>>> > 74. Sarah,. Lucy, MI
>>> > 76. Michael,. David,MI
>>> > 78. Ryan, Lansing, MI
>>> > 79. Sarah,Alpena, MI
>>> > 80. Jodee, Lachine, MI
>>> > 81. BEN, SPOKANE, WA
>>> > 82. Andrea Ontario, Canada
>>> > 83. Kellie, Ontario Canada
>>> > 84. Sarah, Ontario Canada
>>> > 85. Amber, Ontario, Canada
>>> > 86. Sarah, Wawa, Ontario, Canada
>>> > 87. Staci, California
>>> > 89. Brenna, California
>>> > 90. Chadwic, Nevada
>>> > 91. Sherada, California
>>> > 92. Amanda, California
>>> > 93. Jasmine, California
>>> > 94. Anah H.- Ca
>>> > 95. Jaime, California
>>> > 96. Randi,Redding, California
>>> > 97. Aimee P., California
>>> > 98. Nelanne, Redding, California
>>> > 99. Brandon, Columbus GA
>>> > 100. Natalie, Brisbane Australia
>>> > 101. Melanie, Roxby Downs, South Australia
>>> > 102. Paige, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
>>> > 103. Chase, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
>>> > 104. Valerie, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
>>> > 105. Lawna, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
>>> > 106. Venessa, Lethbridge,AB, Canada
>>> > 107. Amy, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
>>> > 108.CarrieLynn,Raymond,AB,Canada
>>> > 109.Jessica,Raymond,AB,Canada
>>> > 110. Julie, Barnwell, AB, Canada
>>> > 111. james, regina, sask, canada
>>> > 112. jackie, regina, sask, canada
>>> > 113. Kendra, Regina, Sk. Canada
>>> > 114, Sara, Southey, Sk, Canada
>>> > 115. Barbara, Cupar, SK. Canada
>>> > 116. Jodi, Cupar, SK. Canada
>>> > 117. Jesi, Cupar, SK. Canada
>>> > 118. Kim, Raymore, SK. Canada
>>> > 119. Dorothy, Raymore, SK. Canada
>>> > 120. Serge,bellevue,SK.canada
>>> > 121. Mario, Lethbridge, Ab, Canada
>>> > 122. Corrie, Edmonton AB, CANADA
>>> > 123. Myra, Chilliwack BC, Canada
>>> > 124. Suzanne, Agassiz BC, Canada
>>> > 125. Lysa, Siksika Ab, Canada
>>> > 126. Gina, Wikwemikong,Ontario,Canada
>> 127. Synee, Wemindji, Quebec, Canada
128. Julie, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
129. Michelle, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada