Violence in the media and adolescentsA "hot topic" of discussion today is the issue of violence in the media. After reading about the subject, I am convinced that media violence negatively affects the viewer. The most vulnerable are young people. John Grisham wrote a powerful essay called “Unnatural Killers.” Since writing the essay, it has attracted some criticism from critics in light of his novel A Time to Kill. In this novel, the “good guy” kills. The arguments he made in his essay, however, are still valid. “Unnatural Killers” tells the dramatic story of the killings of Sarah Edmondson and Benjamin Darras. Sarah and Ben killed one person and seriously injured another. Sarah testifies that the inspiration for this horrible act was a film, "Natural Born Killers" (Grisham 346). Grisham describes the film: ...a sickening story of two foolish young lovers, Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis), who fight their way across the Southwest, killing everyone in their path while becoming famous . According to the scenario, they indiscriminately kill fifty-two people before being arrested. It seems there are many more. Then, they manage to kill at least fifty others while escaping from prison. They break free, have children, and are finally seen happily cruising down the highway in a Winnebago (346-347). According to Sarah, "Ben loved the 'Natural Born Killers' and as they traveled to Memphis, he talked openly about killing people, randomly, just like Mickey talked to Mallory" (Grisham 347). Obviously, he did. Sarah's testimony is true, the film had a profound and negative impact on Ben Darras "Natural Born Killers" inspired many other copycat acts In Texas, a 14-year-old boy told police.... .. in the middle of a newspaper... that it was a dangerous problem When will Hollywood and video game makers realize this? the media." URL (December 5, 1999). Grisham, John. "Unnatural Killers." Kirszner and Mandell 343-351. Kirszner, Laurie G. and Stephen R. Mandell, eds. The Blair Reader. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1999. Leonard, John. “Why Blame TV?” Kirszner and Mandell, Madeline. “Media and Teenagers.” “Teen Violence: Does Violent Media Make Violent Children?” » National Catholic Reporter May 28, 1999: 14-15. Roper Center at the University of Connecticut. Survey. Accession number 0327641. Question number 001. May 19, 1999. The Freedom Forum Online. “Oliver Stone and Natural Born Killers.”URL (December 5. 1999).