Gun violence in the United States has been on the rise over the years. According to the BBC, about 488 mass shootings have occurred in 2024 alone, with CNN reporting that 83 of them are inside schools. According to The Washington Post’s September report, about 417 school shootings have taken place since 1999. CNN further adds that during the pandemic, the number of such horrific incidents saw a major decline, but since life resumed after the coronavirus, so have the school shooting cases. Despite the rising cases, there is no regulation on gun laws, with children, too, having easy access to firearms. In light of such a social and political crisis, the Bronx Documentary Center (BDC) is hosting a powerful exhibition that sheds light on school shootings in the country.
The lead image is by Tamir Kalifa, courtesy of the Bronx Documentary Center. All images are used with permission.
Titled School Shootings in America, the exhibition highlights the information and facts about firearms in the country while focusing on the young individuals and their families who have been affected by school shootings since the Columbine massacre in 1999. The BDC is a non-profit gallery that explores vital issues, stimulates critical thought, and drives social change. As part of this showcase, BDC will showcase the works of three photographers who have chronicled the situation with utmost care and dignity: Zackary Canepari, Tamir Kalifa, and Callaghan O’Hare. Curated by Michael Kamber and Cynthia Rivera, here’s a look at the projects at the showcase.
Tamir Kalifa
On May 24, 2022, a shooting took place at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, which killed 19 children and two teachers in the massacre. Over 350 police officers and 77 minutes before the law enforcement managed to attack the gunman and kill him. Since then, the families of 21 victims have been trying to work through their emotions of grief, anger, despair, frustration, and confusion for a purpose and peace. As part of this long-term project, Tamir has been chronicling their lives since the incident and how they have been coping with their past.
Zackary Canepari
Through his project Thoughts & Prayers, Zackary highlights the culture of active shooter preparedness as well as how today gun violence has become so common and normalized since the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Since there have been no proper or meaningful gun reforms in the country, a $3 billion cottage industry has now arisen in our day-to-day lives to find solutions for firearm violence. With the aid of training programs, products, and technology, the United States has been toughening itself for the future, particularly that of mass shootings, gun violence, and the lack of political structure to take care of the issues leading to it.
Callaghan O’Hare
This project, unlike Tamir’s, focuses on the immediate consequence of the elementary shooting in Texas in 2022. The project not only looks at what happened right after the gunman was killed but also the months that followed. This small town, which was suddenly now in the national spotlight, was suddenly left to its devices after the incident. Many people moved away. Finally, it seems the town and those who stayed back had space to grieve. Residents showed their rage at the lack of accountability from the police and their response to the attack. The project showcases how schools finally built security fences to protect students and parents finally became activists against gun violence, whereas the vigils showcased the pain that was left behind.
School Shootings in America is a significant exhibition that everyone must attend, as it sheds light on a crucial challenge in the country. With Donald Trump taking over this year as the president, the chances of getting gun laws in place are long gone. What most of us are left with us is hope and faith that something as heinous as this does not happen to our children.
The exhibition is on display from February 7 to March 16. For more information, visit the Bronx Documentary Center’s website.