Reluctance can oftentimes be a precursor to an individual’s sincere call to action, especially when a topic of grave concern is at hand. Such is the case for the present commentator, who feels compelled to share their thoughts in light of a recent, tragic occurrence.
This week, the Serbian community was besieged with two incidents of mass shootings, perpetrated by a thirteen-year-old child and a twenty-one-year-old man. The resulting death toll amounted to seven students and one security guard, as well as eight individuals killed and fourteen injured, respectively. The occurrence of these heinous acts within a mere seventy-two hours is a grim reminder of the ever-present threat of violence and inequality that has plagued the Serbian society for over three decades.
Attempting to determine the root cause of these gruesome events is a complex endeavor, yet a necessary one. It is undeniable that Serbia has long been under the influence of violence, inequality, and partocracy, all of which have contributed to a society devoid of the essential element of equality. Indeed, an ideal society is one that promotes equity among its citizens. Unfortunately, Serbian society is highly unequal, particularly in its dealings with state services. This inequality has been aptly summed up by the former Yugoslavian politician, Nikola Pasic, who stated that “Laws are for the opponents.” Such a statement perfectly encapsulates the roots of inequality and partocracy that have taken hold of Serbia and continue to hold it back.
The school in which the first shooting took place is located in an elite neighborhood of Belgrade, and it is considered an elite institution. Its student body is predominantly made up of individuals from high-class families, many of whom wield a degree of political influence. Reports from a former teacher at the school reveal that students who come from families with greater political influence receive better treatment regarding grades and disciplinary action. When individuals are subjected to a highly unequal environment, where certain actions are permissible for some and forbidden for others, it creates the perfect breeding ground for the development of various forms of antagonism. Prolonged exposure to such a social climate inevitably breeds frustration, hatred, and despair, which in the case of labile individuals, may result in suicide or homicide.
The second fact that must be taken into consideration is that Serbia was involved in a bloody civil war in the 1990s, wherein warmongers were glorified as heroes and role models. While such sentiments may have been justifiable during the war, they are wholly unreasonable in the post-war period. Many ex-war criminals and gangsters who amassed fortunes during the war went on to become tycoons and politicians, thereby exacerbating the erosion of ethics and morals from the fabric of Serbian society. The border between good and evil became blurred and, as a result, the society at large became disillusioned.
Healing Serbian society will undoubtedly be a challenging process. While some may argue for prohibitory measures, it is important to recognize that such measures only seek to remedy the consequences of the problem, rather than the problem itself. The root cause of the issue is a complex and interwoven mesh of factors that must be analyzed and addressed comprehensively.