Current Events: Culture around Violence

While speaking with social worker Susanne Exner and how our group would be going to Christiania, she noted the recent shooting on what is known as Pusher Street. For those that may not know, cannabis is still illegal in Denmark, but Pusher Street has become a central location for the “tolerated” sale of marijuana. However, this area has also been linked to recent violent events, such as the recent shooting and death of a 30 year-old-man (Local, 2023). It was also noted that there have been four fatal shootings since 2020 in this area (Local, 2023). 

In our group discussion on this topic, it occurred to me and some of my peers just how desensitized we are to these violent situations; our lack of expression towards the situation also seemed quite shocking to Exner. We began to discuss the way that gun violence has become so normalized in the United States and more specifically in Seattle and how shootings no longer seem to be a shock when you hear it in the news. In fact, to put this into perspective, data from the Seattle Police Department found that in the first five months of 2023, there were 18 fatal shootings. Let that sit for a moment. 

When looking at the culture differences of Denmark and the United States, gun violence is one that stuck out to me. With four fatal shootings that have spanned over three years, there is discussion of shutting this entire street down. Are we making these same efforts in Seattle to keep our people safe? Why does the solution seem so much clearer here in Copenhagen than it does in Seattle? What is holding us back?

I do not have the answers to any of these questions, but I would like to raise a discussion of how and why the culture and environment around violence is so strikingly different.

Local, R. (2023, August 28). Christiania wants pusher street closed for good after gang shooting.         The Local Denmark. https://www.thelocal.dk/20230828/christiania-wants-pusher-street-closed-        for-good-after-gang-shooting  

        Clarridge, C. (n.d.). Rise in fatal shootings in Seattle prompts New Task Force - Axios. AXIOS                            Seattle. https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/06/26/seattle-fatal-shootings