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From The President...

by Bryan Hawkins, President, UKS  

When asked by Howard Silva some years ago what one word best described Kenpo, Ed Parker replied “logic”. When analyzing situations in my life I try to look for the logic or illogic involved or applied to the particular event.

Just the other day I took my eldest son to school. He insisted on bringing his new toy gun to school to show his friends. I didn’t want him to take it inside his classroom because I felt he might forget and leave it there. He informed me that his intention was to simply bring the toy gun onto the playground to show some of his friends for the five minutes of time before going into class. He took the “gun” into the school grounds with him and proceeded to show off his new toy to some of his friends.

True to his word, he promptly put the toy gun in my hand and ran into his classroom as soon as the school bell rang. I proceeded to the line of parents waiting to sign their names on the attendance sheet when I began to notice a number of parents who normally were very friendly to me now giving me their best glare! I thought it might just be my imagination because I could think of no reason for the sudden animosity. As I got to the front of the line the teacher upon seeing the gun in my hand -- the toy gun with the bright orange handle and orange tip on the barrel -- turned three shades of white. I was no longer confused as to why I had been given a less than friendly reception by the other parents. My son’s teacher informed me that the students aren’t allowed to have toy guns anywhere on school premises. After all, she said, look what happened at Columbine!

This entire scenario, in the eyes of a very logical Kenpoist like myself, was the most illogical thing I had heard of in quite some time. I hate to think what would have been my fate had I brought a bag of peanuts onto school property? After all, we all are aware that with all the kids allergic to peanuts just what a disaster that would be. This whole episode reminded me of something I recently read. It was excerpts from testimony by Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado. Mr. Scott was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime. What was said during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. The follow is an edited version of Mr. Scott’s testimony. By the way, my son I mentioned earlier -- is

3 ½ years old!

“Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

“The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA -- because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves.

I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:

Your laws ignore our deepest needs

Your words are empty air

You've stripped away our heritage

You've outlawed simple prayer

 

Now gunshots fill our classrooms

And precious children die

You seek for answers everywhere

And ask the question "Why"?

 

You regulate restrictive laws

Through legislative creed

And yet you fail to understand

That God is what we need

 

This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws.

Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts. Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched!

As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools.”

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