Another day, another mass shooting. Another average day in the heart of White Empire (the West)
The US’s violent history — rooted in the genocide of Native Americans and the enslavement of Black people — has left deep scars on its culture. These historical realities not only continue to shape the nation’s social fabric but have also contributed to the tragic phenomenon of school shootings. However, alongside these historical roots, the modern forces of corporate mind control and rabid consumerism play a significant role in escalating gun violence today. By fostering a culture of materialism and desensitizing Americans to violence, both domestically and abroad, corporations and consumer culture perpetuate a violent reality, where even the youngest of children fall victim to mass shootings.
Historical Foundations of Violence
The United States was born out of violence. From the genocide of Native Americans to the enslavement of Africans, this history is encoded in the nation’s psyche. The systematic displacement and near extermination of Native Americans established a model where violence was normalized as a tool for achieving goals. This algorithm of violence laid the groundwork for a society that resorts to violent solutions to conflicts, including the use of bombs and drones, and occasionally, nuclear weapons while quoting from the Bhagavad Gita.
The enslavement of Black people and the violent systems used to uphold slavery created a culture where racialized violence became acceptable. For centuries, violence against marginalized groups has been institutionalized and glorified as a way to maintain order and control. These historic roots of normalized violence echo today, with gun violence disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
Rabid Consumerism
The forces that shape American society today are no longer limited to its violent past. Modern corporate interests, particularly those that profit from the sale of guns, have created a culture where consumerism is paramount, and the corporate-driven normalization of violence contributes directly to the escalation of gun violence.
The firearms industry, backed by powerful lobbyists and corporate interests, has a vested interest in promoting a culture of gun ownership and usage. The National Rifle Association (NRA), in concert with weapons manufacturers, spends millions annually to ensure minimal gun regulation, using media and political influence to equate gun ownership with freedom, patriotism, and individual empowerment. This creates a narrative where guns are not merely tools but symbols of status, protection, and identity.
Beyond guns themselves, the broader culture of rabid consumerism fuels feelings of inadequacy, competition, and alienation. Americans are bombarded with advertising that tells them their worth is measured by what they own. This culture of relentless consumption and the pressures it creates contribute to feelings of disillusionment and frustration, particularly among young men who may feel that they cannot achieve the success or status that corporate culture promises. In this environment, some turn to violence as a way to reclaim power or control.
Corporate-controlled media outlets further exacerbate the issue by bombarding Americans with violent imagery in television, movies, and video games. Children are exposed to depictions of violence from a young age, desensitizing them to real-world violence and normalizing violent responses to conflict. The pervasive narrative of violence as entertainment, combined with consumer culture’s emphasis on individualism, contributes to a toxic environment where school shootings have become disturbingly common.
Desensitization to Violence: Domestic and Abroad
The normalization of violence in American life goes beyond pop culture — it is ingrained in the nation’s very approach to global politics and foreign relations. The violence that the U.S. has inflicted abroad through wars, covert operations, and coups has filtered back into its domestic sphere, contributing to a cycle of violence that now occurs within its own borders.
Over the past century, the U.S. has engaged in numerous military interventions, regime changes, and covert operations aimed at furthering its geopolitical interests. From coups in Latin America and the Middle East to long-term military occupations in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, the US has consistently used violence as a means of control on the global stage. These actions, often justified under the guise of spreading democracy or combating terrorism, have not only destabilized other nations but also desensitized the American public to the consequences of state-sponsored violence.
The violence that the US enacts abroad often returns home, a phenomenon known as “blowback.” Citizens, desensitized to the suffering and destruction wrought by American imperialism, begin to see violence as an acceptable solution to problems. The culture of militarism — where force is used to solve conflicts and assert dominance — finds its way into domestic life. As mass shootings increase in frequency, they serve as a reflection of the violence the nation inflicts on others but now turned inward.
School shootings, often perpetrated by young white men, can be seen as a form of domestic warfare. The shooters, isolated by a culture of individualism and inundated with violent imagery, mirror the militaristic mindset that drives US foreign policy. This violence, once exported to other countries, is now enacted on American soil by its own citizens, and the victims are often the most vulnerable — children.
Individualism and Pop Culture
The culture of individualism, deeply embedded in American life, further exacerbates the issue of gun violence. Combined with a corporate-driven consumer culture, the focus on individual success and self-interest contributes to isolation and alienation.
The American ethos of individualism often leaves individuals feeling isolated and disconnected from the community. When young people fail to meet societal expectations of success — fueled by corporate media and advertising that glorify wealth, power, and status — they may turn to violence as a way of asserting control or gaining attention.
Movies, television, and video games regularly glorify violence, presenting it as a means of empowerment and conflict resolution. The entertainment industry, which often targets youth, desensitizes viewers to the real-world impact of violence. This normalization of violence through pop culture makes it easier for young individuals to envision violent actions, including school shootings, as a way to gain notoriety or resolve feelings of frustration.
Young, White and Male
While gun violence affects all demographics, school shootings are disproportionately carried out by young white men. Several factors contribute to this troubling trend.
Many young white men grow up with societal expectations of success and dominance. When these expectations are not met — whether due to academic, social, or personal failures — they may feel a sense of entitlement or grievance. In a culture that glorifies violence and celebrates individualism, some may resort to extreme measures to express their frustration or reclaim a sense of control.
In rural and suburban areas, particularly among white populations, firearms are often more accessible due to cultural norms and fewer legal restrictions. This easy access to guns, combined with feelings of anger or alienation, increases the likelihood of violent outbursts.
The stigmatization of mental health issues, particularly among men, further exacerbates this problem. Young men are often discouraged from seeking help for emotional struggles or mental health problems, leading to internalized anger and frustration. In a culture that prioritizes individualism and toughness, emotional vulnerability is seen as weakness, making it less likely that potential shooters will receive the intervention they need before it’s too late.
Confronting the Crisis
The crisis of gun violence in America cannot be attributed to a single cause. It is the product of a complex interplay between historical violence, corporate influence, a culture of consumerism, individualism and desensitization to both domestic and foreign violence. The historical legacies of genocide and slavery have laid the groundwork for a society that tolerates violence as a means of control. Corporate interests, particularly in the firearms and entertainment industries, perpetuate a culture that glorifies violence and fosters alienation. At the same time, the violence that America enacts abroad has come full circle, now reflected in the tragic phenomenon of school shootings at home.
Addressing this crisis requires a holistic approach that includes gun control, mental health support, and a fundamental rethinking of America’s social conscience — both at home and abroad. Until these issues are confronted, America’s violent past and corporate-driven present will continue to fuel a future where even the youngest children are not safe from the threat of gun violence.
