Does America Have A Violent Soul

Does America have a violent soul? The history of violence in America ranges from the pre-colonial past into the present. America is the most violent country in the world (compared to comparable industrialized nations). It deeply rooted in our society and has become woven into the fabric of the American lifestyle. It has emerged into our lives at every level, from our most intimate relationships at home, to our schools, to our work environments. Violence has even become entertainment, from movies to cartoons to video games. Violence has become an acceptable strategy for solving conflict, and exerting power and control. Not only do we have problems in our own country (that we can't handle), we are

quick to run off to some other country and help them. We always seem to be involved in a conflict of some kind, from the Sapnish-American war to Viet Nam to the Gulf War. It's in our nature to help others. Dwight D. Eisenhower said, "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."

Violence is not confined to specific groups or geographic areas, but directly or indirectly affects everyone, no matter the age, sex, or ethnic background. The extent of human suffering from the many deaths each year is stagering. There has been such a dramatic increase in deaths caused by violent acts this century alone. Figures show that in 1900, the homicide rate was approximately 1 per 100,000 people. Although it varied over the years, by 1990 the homicide rate had increased to over 10 per 100,000.

Each day, an average of 65 people die from violence in the United States (this equals aout 11,000 people each year). The extent of murders by firearms in the United States is illustrated by a comparison of the total number of Americans killed during the Vietnam War (58,000) with the total firearm murders in this country between 1989 and 1993 (70,918). It is clear that deaths by firearms have reached wartime proportions in this country. Violence and deadly force have had an extraordinary impact on the lives of Americans. While the popular perception has long been that violence is most often perpetrated among strangers, violence has, in fact, in the past been more common among people who know each other. Frequently, homicides have begun with arguments; more often than not, they have involved alcohol and firearms.

Data shows that arrest rates for homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault in the United States peaks among older adolescents and young adults. Homicide is the second leading cause of death for Americans ages 15 to 34 and the leading cause of death for African-Americans. During the 1980s, more than 48,000 persons were murdered by youths between the ages of 12 and 24, and homicide rates among American males ages 15 to 24 was significantly higher than in any other industriliized country.

Recent research between deaths and the availability of firearms suggests that guns now constitute a public health crisis. In 1992, firearms were used in 68.2 percent of the homicides committed in the United States. Firearm deaths have risen 14 percent over the last decade and are the second leading cause of injury