‘Taking an aim back at America’ Bowling For Columbine is a well-directed documentary that informs people about gun violence in America. Michael Moore is successful in showing that America has been going through many gun tragedies; and portrays the sense that America’s problems are out of control. He conveys this through informative facts, images, and comparisons. Throughout the film Michael Moore throws many cold facts on the screen that makes it obvious that the strong nation of America is unruly.
One of the facts that stand out the most is the number of deaths caused by guns in America per year. In comparison to the other countries, America has an outstanding of 11, 127 gun related deaths a year. This is ten times more than all the countries together that are mentioned in the documentary. With this extreme comparison it shows that there is something in America that is making people turn on their fellow man and shoot them in the head.
On April 19, 1999 two boys Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, went to school and killed 12 students and one teacher. Michael Moore does not really need to go further than just stating these few words to show how incredibly devastating this day was. How have the social standards reduced themselves to a world where two high school students feel that they have the right to bring firearms to school and open fire? One is reminded of an old saying, “like father like son.” The American government can be seen as the father to all the citizens in America. Michael Moore took time in his documentary to show a bit of America’s violent history, and its violent present.
The Essay on Guns And Violence America Culture Gun
Preservation of the 2 nd Amendment When our forefathers sat down to write the bill of rights they made ten basic rules or freedoms that all Americans are entitled to. For hundreds of years no one has questioned any of those freedoms, that is until recent years. The second amendment gives Americans the right to bear arms. The purpose of this amendment is to be able to form a militia in order to be ...
A perfect example is that just before Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shot up the school, America was dropping bombs on Kosovo. In addition, it was the most bombs dropped in that war. If the father, the almighty American government cannot keep its composure, why does it expect its children the citizens to be able to keep theirs? The development of an image of what the nation of America truly looks like. Michael Moore tries to prove his point by showing images that are very intense.
The most intense image in my mind is the picture of a deformed child who has experienced the wrath of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols after bombing the federal government building in Oklahoma City. It can be concluded that Timothy and Terry did not have the intention of hurting children; rather they were after the federal government. This is the problem in our society; Timothy and Terry were willing to sacrifice the souls of young children for their own cause, portraying a lot about their wild violent minds. Moreover the picture of the destroyed building in which 168 people died, shows so much recklessness. The fact that two men were able to organize a mass destruction portrays the undisciplined mindset that they are in at the time of the crime, such acts of violence lays the ground work for the film showing how America is basically repeating the past.
Now that an image of America is finally developed, Moore goes on to look at how America compares to other countries. Michael Moore compares American society to many other different countries. The comparison that stands out the most is the one between American society and Canadian society. Moore compares what comes on in the news in America with what comes on in Canada. First off, Moore shows President Bush being vague and not even having to give an excuse of why he has to use violence. Meanwhile, Canadian news talks about peace with other countries and how it is more logical to negotiate than to fight.
It is believed that the media has put the nation of America in a panic, and this is why everyone in America is scared of each other. In Canada the media does not try to scare the people and therefore everyone is more calm and relaxed. Moore goes on to show America taking advantage of their high gun murder rate. This is by showing us that the media would rather cover gun related stories than any other story.
The Essay on Monsters Of America Society People Alcohol
The Monsters of America In the epic Beowulf, many monsters existed that threatened a society way of life. This theme can directly be related to us because of the many troubles facing our communities today. We face these troubles everyday; sometimes in our churches and schools, and as a society we have learned of many different dangers that threaten our lives today. We face many troubles in todays ...
In Canada where the gun related deaths are low the media cannot make a business out of death. Rather, Canadian television talks about people’s rights and other non-violent stories. If all America deals with are violent stories, the people begin to feel that it is all right and begin violence of their own. On the other hand the Canadian government preaches non-violence, and the citizens of Canada respond with other ways to fight such as peaceful protests. Moore makes a great argument when he compares the welfare system in America and the welfare system in Canada. In America instead of the government just helping out the families that are in need, they make them go work for the money.
This method causes more families to separate. This was the exact reason why a little boy was able to take a gun and shoot another six-year girl in school. In Canada the welfare system gives the money to the people in need without having to make them leave home to work. By using this method the parents are able to have a close eye on their kids and keeps the parents in a better mindset. Michael Moore is successful in showing an anti -gun argument by proving that America has problems that are out of control; and that these problems are a result of gun violence.
He conveys this through informative facts, images, and interviews. Although he is successful he is still not able to answer the question, what is so different about America? In the end All that Moore can conclude is that guns do not kill people, people kill people.
