U.S. Clown Panic

[Shelby Moore]

In the past several months, the United States has been subject to a stream of nationwide clown sightings. These sightings are often met with resistance as these figures are hoping to lure women and children into woods. While there have not been any fatalities from these attacks to date, this is still an issue that awareness must be raised against. There have been several encounters that started in the east and have now swept the nation with the most recent being in Texas. Our nation doesn't know precisely what to think about this epidemic especially so close to Halloween. Individuals are being urged to not dress up as clowns for this holiday in order to contain the public's anxiety about this issue. Some communities have put up notices encouraging individuals to not travel alone at night and some have even recommended a curfew to keep people of the street in the later hours of the night for protection. Overall, America is being faced with something we do not completely understand ourselves due to the fact that there has not been enough face-to-face acts of violence to group these antics as a whole. However, we must attempt to protect ourselves before this situation gets out of hand. 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/06/health/clown-scare-parents-guide-trnd/

[Nicholas Veillon]

While comical, this can actually have serious consequences. All it takes is one time for someone who has a handgun or knife to be scared and instinctively cause harm to someone.

[Harrison Stokes]

What is going on with these clowns?!?! My brother's high school in Mansfield had a panic last week about all this. Word got to the administration that there will be a clown appearance so they school had police officers surround the school, and teachers were told to lock their doors. I was talking with a friend last night and we agreed that if someone dressed up as a clown walks up on the wrong person that it could end really bad for the clown. Especially in a more Conservative state like Texas. With all the terrorist acts of shootings and stabbing, this is the LAST thing that people need to be doing. Get a job, read a book, go on a vacation, DO SOMETHING! Just don't get yourself hurt over something this stupid. As for myself, on halloween night, I will be home safe and i recommend y'all do the same!