Teens Didn't Help, Because They Couldn't!

Submitted to Newsday & Oceanside Herald newspapers — Letter to the Editor

As a trauma victim of unspeakable tragedy myself and now a life coach specializing in trauma recovery and personal development, I am appalled to read the insensitive and judgmental criticisms of those 50 teens who "stood by and did nothing" or "videotaped instead of helping" in reference to the horrid stabbing to death of Oceanside teen victim, Khaseen Morris. Others wage even broader criticisms against those Oceanside High School students who may have heard about the scheduled fight and failed to inform their parents, teachers, or police.

Such opinions reflect either total ignorance concerning human reactions to traumatic events or, in light of the growing incidence of fights in schools, failure to understand that students feel pressure to "keep quiet," for fear of being accused of betraying their peers, or, even worse, being labeled as a tattletale. Sure, we've seen the heroics of people who have managed to defy "the bystander effect," — those who have managed to "push through" their own fears and even their biologically wired instinct for self preservation — in order to rally to the aid of potential victims. But, these are the exceptions, and that's why we call them heroes.

Heaping more guilt on already fragile teens who had the misfortune to witness a brutal murder or on a high school trying to heal is unconscionable. To be sure, the Oceanside murder of Khaseen Morris is yet another of far too many hate-driven crimes. I'm sure that a solution involves understanding the reasons behind the ever-growing epidemics of loneliness, hate, and the under-served mentally ill. And, I'm fairly certain of two things: 1) over-reliance on heroes to save the day; and, 2) blaming unfortunate bystanders misses the mark! Rather, the responsibility is all of ours! Learn more about trauma at www.coachburton.com

— Burton M. Fischler, Oceanside resident