How did America's contradictions play out in the lives of the students at Harper High School? What are the barriers to ending gun violence? Are they surmountable?

In Chapter 23, when describing her visit to Harper High School, Michelle Obama writes, "America is not a simple place. Its contradictions set me spinning." How did these contradictions play out in the lives of the students at Harper?

What are the barriers to ending gun violence in their community and throughout the country? After reading this chapter are you optimistic that these barriers can be surmounted?

The students at Harper High School in Chicago were living in what some people would consider to be a war zone with numerous deaths, fear of gang violence and hopelessness. Gun violence will never end while guns are so accessible with the support of the NRA.
i cannot see that these barriers can be overcome but maybe at least some of these students and others in similar situations can succeed through support and further education.

Too many guns in the wrong hands is definitely a major problem. Maybe I'm a Pollyanna, but I sincerely believe that eventually we will be able to overpower the NRA and get good gun laws.
But we need more. We need really quality education for all students and we need good jobs for everyone. I think that would help eliminate some of these gangs. Because with more education and better jobs families would be better able to help children become good citizens. It is a multi-faceted problem. It's not just too many guns.

After Sandy Hook, I was stunned and very discouraged when gun legislation did not pass. I saw many more horrible massacres in the years since. It hit closer to home last year because I live very near Parkland. I believe that sensible and significant gun legislation will only take place when it becomes a major election issue in local and national elections. That is the only way real and meaningful change will take place in our country.

If gun legislation was not passed after Sandy Hook, it will never be in my opinion. The gun lobby is too strong and politicians (even in the small town where I live) take money from the NRA. When politicians stop accepting money and toadying to the NRA, maybe gun legislation will have a chance. People need to figure out that those who want gun legislation are not trying to overturn the 2nd amendment which is the ridiculous argument that is used to prevent any progress.