From a young age we are assured that Chapel Hill is a safe place to live. After all, Chapel Hill’s crime rate is 49 percent below the national average. It’s good that we feel safe in our town, but the security we have come to take for granted must be accompanied by an understanding that bad things happen everywhere. To better prepare for these situations, self-defense should be taught at East.
Residents of secluded middle-class neighborhoods are especially convinced of their safety. It was a wakeup call for myself, a resident of one of these neighborhoods, to receive an email detailing an attempted kidnapping that happened only a few blocks away from my house.
The email shocked and horrified residents of Meadowmont. It was the first time in a while our sheltered community had heard of a dangerous situation escalating on our streets. The Chapel Hill Police Department has not recognized an active threat; nevertheless, it was horrifying for many residents, including East junior Natalie Varma.
“I was terrified, honestly, because you don’t think these things will happen in your own neighborhood, but when they do, it’s just like what if it happens again? What if it happens to me? It’s so scary,” said Varma.
No matter where you live, it is important to be prepared for the worst possible situation. Especially if you frequently walk alone, self-defense is an important skill.
Since our district does not include self-defense training in the gym curriculum or offer a self-defense class, students who do not receive safety instruction from a guardian are put at a disadvantage.
“If it weren’t for the knowledge that my parents have instilled in me, I would have to go based on instincts, because it’s not like the school has ever prepared me,” Varma said.
High cost and a lack of time are barriers that prevent students from attending a self-defense class. Because of this, some public high schools, such as Hicksville High School in N.Y., have added a self-defense class to their list of electives. Gym teacher Charles Schweizer launched the class in 2001, and it has had great success since.
“Their confidence grows,” Schweizer said to Education Dive. “They also become more willing to go beyond their normal comfort levels and overcome their fears.”
Thankfully, the victim in Meadowmont knew exactly what to do and took the right steps to ensuring safety by seeking assistance from a neighbor. Not everyone can do the same, which is why self-defense is so crucial and should be offered at East.
