GRCC symposium aims to tackle gun violence in America
Caroline MacGregor February 7, 2013 | WGVU
The idea for the three day symposium came about shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting
tragedy. Faculty from Grand Rapids Community College’s Psychology, Social
Sciences, and Criminal Justice departments hope to foster dialogue on a
subject that has become, at minimal, contentious.
On Monday, February 11th, Dr. Frank Connor, head of GRCC’s psychology
department will talk about research on aggression, a culture of retribution,
video games, guns, mental health, and the media.
Dr. Connor
says the goal of the symposium is to encourage discussion about subject that
has become so touchy in some circles that emotions quickly become raw, personal
attacks become rampant …and all objectivity quickly flys out the window.
“Some people you can't reach, some people become so entrenched that you cannot have any kind of dialogue. The only way you can do that is to begin by listening and asking deeper questions to connect to that core being from which their emotion is coming from, you know, why is it that you feel nobody should own guns or why is it you feel we should arm teachers.”
Dr. Connor says
when people intentionally expose themselves continually to only one viewpoint and
never actively or quietly listen to the other side, society becomes more and
more polarized. Ultimately most people share a common goal of finding a
solution to the country’s gun violence.
“In that example, we want our children to be safe in school - so there is a common belief and so what you want to do is find, which requires at least one of half of the party, to begin by not becoming defensive but by listening and seeing if you can find - below all of this, what is our common belief.”
Following
Monday’s discussion on the psychological aspects surrounding gun violence, on
Tuesday, February 12th the
talk will take up historical, economic, and cultural perspectives surrounding
the current debate on the Second Amendment. On Wednesday, February 13th,
an expert in criminal justices will offer her perspective on prevention, safety,
and workers in the field as well as how to deal with perpetrators of violent
acts, including the reaction of law enforcement.
The
symposium takes place in the multipurpose room (room 108) on the DeVos campus
on Bostwick NE in Grand Rapids.
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