One of the great disappointments with high profile tragedies like this is the fact that the media often feels compelled or pressured to get information out as soon as possible, even if that information hasn’t yet been verified. So was the case with Columbine. As a result, some misinformation still lives on in the internet universe, either due to ignorance or because some group wants to perpetuate that particular narrative for their own purposes.
For example, there were early reports that the two killers were members of the so-called Trench Coat Mafia at Columbine—a clique at Columbine High made up of misfits who supposedly rebelled against the popular students. The killers were misfits, but they were NOT members of this group.
Another myth was the accusation that the Columbine killers were heavily influenced by the rock artist Marilyn Manson, whose controversial and confrontational music was popular among alienated young people and those following the “goth” movement. Early media reports alleged that the shooters were fans of Manson, and were wearing the group’s t-shirts during the massacre.
The accusations were particularly flowing from social conservatives, who accused Manson of promoting everything from suicide to murder to cop killing. The pressure was so strong that Manson cancelled his remaining tour dates at that time, saying it was out of respect for Columbine. Problem is, the killers were not “goths,” were not wearing Manson t-shirts and there was no evidence they were fans of Manson at all. I’m sure there were things about this band’s music that were contemptable to some people, but it was no reason to scapegoat them and cast suspicion all goth youth.
As in other mass shootings, some people refer to the killers as getting upset and “snapping.” No, most young shooters don’t usually just snap, they take time to mull over their plans and sometimes even hint about it to others to see what reaction or affirmation they get. In the case oof Columbine, the killers intently planned their attack for over a year. They didn’t just “snap.”
There were reports that the killers were total social outcasts who targeted for death certain people, like Christians, jocks and people who bullied them. Not so. They did have a few friends. Eric Harris could actually be a bit friendly and charming—though it was just a ruse by a psychopath who actually loathed the world around him.
The killers may have detested certain people, but in the Columbine massacre there was no targeting of particular people: they tried to randomly kill as many students as possible in the cafeteria with their two bombs. That’s not targeting certain people.
And as for those who say that bullying of the killers was the key cause of the tragedy at Columbine, I respectfully disagree. Yes, by many accounts, Harris and Klebold left behind complaints about how they were teased, harassed, and bullied, because they were different.
I won’t dispute that they were bullied. However, I question that bullying was a major cause of their massacre. Harris and Klebold are not the only students ever to be bullied. In fact, I would not doubt that Daniel, who was thin, quiet and a bit nerdy, was also bullied—though I never heard that complaint from him. But most victims of bullying do not resort to murder. Being bullied does not justify murder—bullying is not a crime punishable by death.
So why did the killers do it? I believe bullying was a minor factor. What would lead someone to commit such a heinous act? I strongly believe, as do many experts, that both the killers were mentally disturbed. I believe Eric Harris was a psychopath. From all I’ve seen and read, he detested much of the world around him and blamed the world for what he saw as the injustices done to him, but that was probably exaggerated by his contempt for the world and his belief the world was responsible for his woes. Harris apparently thought himself far superior to the world around him, and I wonder if at the same time he hated himself.
As for Dylan Klebold, he suffered from severe depression and a poor self-image. He was mostly a follower, feeding off the rage of Harris. But, let’s not forget that, in the end, Klebold also made the choice to shoot many students. The killers became the ultimate bullies.
Let’s get it straight. I agree that we should do something to reduce bullying. However, the reason we should do so is because it’s not the proper way to treat each other, not simply because some kids might turn into murderers.
I think it’s clear that bullying is on the rise, especially as a result of the misuse of social media. But there was bullying in past generations, and yet those who were bullied usually did not fight back directly, unless they were willing and able to use their fists. They either complained to people in authority, learned to deal with it, or were damaged by it. But they seldom murdered those who bullied them. Today it seems that some kids are emotionally unable to deal with the bullying and feel especially empowered with easily accessible weapons with which to easily extract revenge.
Daniel Mauser Memorial Website 