An interesting perspective
This is a column posted on one of the VT Facebook groups, you will find it here
"I was going to originally write a column today on the Imus ordeal, and eventually segue into a general overture on racism in general. The practical importance of whether or not Imus was fired because it was the right thing to do or because a news organization wanted to save advertisers and prevent financial loss is trivial at the moment.
Considering the events of today, at Virginia Tech, which by the time you read this, regrettably, will be heavily oversaturated in the news; I decided that that was not the course I wanted to take.
It’s very early right now, so writing specifics isn’t important as most of them will be wrong later. I’m not here to write about what happened, anyway.
This is the worst all-civilian shooting in American history.
I wanted to remind everyone that in the wake of this, that getting angry about it is empty and unfulfilling, and is not what the situation needs.
In the coming days and weeks there will be many many people to stand up against the school, and say “It’s their fault for not stopping this!”
You cannot have that attitude.
You cannot blame “The Media”; you can’t blame the internet, television, video games, Virginia Tech or the police, you have no one to blame but the man who made the decision to destroy those 32 families (Not counting his own), and the countless dreams and hopes of all the students who died with no warning or ability to protect themselves.
Do not let popular opinion persuade you to become angry and bitter over this so that the tragedy is over-shadowed by lawsuits and talking heads on TV ignoring the kids and firing rubber bullets at campus officials.
Already, there are people on the news, shouting aimlessly and foolishly about gun control, citing the lack of morality in kids in generation Y, demanding apologies from China(?), blaming democrats, arguing that republicans caused this somehow, going on and on about things that do not matter— DO NOT LISTEN. Ignore them.
Westboro Baptist Church, one of the most sickening organizations in the free world has announced already that they will be picketing the funerals of the students who died in the shootings, claiming the kids died all because America allows gay marriage. Ignore them, they are among the most foolish and stupid people in our country.
Keep your hearts free of this manic rage that grips the masses, it is not what anyone needs in this situation. Remember the victims, forget the brainless fools looking for something bigger to blame."
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Z's note: I hear what he's saying, and agree - the blame game will get us no where; however, failing to react and initiate change in our society is to give in to complacency. And yes, this was one man's rampage - but we don't live in isolation. In time, the pursuit of justice (that lofty ideal) will become the focus, but what I hear the author saying is give the hokies time to grieve, and come to terms with what is a tremendous loss. And I'm in agreement.
"I was going to originally write a column today on the Imus ordeal, and eventually segue into a general overture on racism in general. The practical importance of whether or not Imus was fired because it was the right thing to do or because a news organization wanted to save advertisers and prevent financial loss is trivial at the moment.
Considering the events of today, at Virginia Tech, which by the time you read this, regrettably, will be heavily oversaturated in the news; I decided that that was not the course I wanted to take.
It’s very early right now, so writing specifics isn’t important as most of them will be wrong later. I’m not here to write about what happened, anyway.
This is the worst all-civilian shooting in American history.
I wanted to remind everyone that in the wake of this, that getting angry about it is empty and unfulfilling, and is not what the situation needs.
In the coming days and weeks there will be many many people to stand up against the school, and say “It’s their fault for not stopping this!”
You cannot have that attitude.
You cannot blame “The Media”; you can’t blame the internet, television, video games, Virginia Tech or the police, you have no one to blame but the man who made the decision to destroy those 32 families (Not counting his own), and the countless dreams and hopes of all the students who died with no warning or ability to protect themselves.
Do not let popular opinion persuade you to become angry and bitter over this so that the tragedy is over-shadowed by lawsuits and talking heads on TV ignoring the kids and firing rubber bullets at campus officials.
Already, there are people on the news, shouting aimlessly and foolishly about gun control, citing the lack of morality in kids in generation Y, demanding apologies from China(?), blaming democrats, arguing that republicans caused this somehow, going on and on about things that do not matter— DO NOT LISTEN. Ignore them.
Westboro Baptist Church, one of the most sickening organizations in the free world has announced already that they will be picketing the funerals of the students who died in the shootings, claiming the kids died all because America allows gay marriage. Ignore them, they are among the most foolish and stupid people in our country.
Keep your hearts free of this manic rage that grips the masses, it is not what anyone needs in this situation. Remember the victims, forget the brainless fools looking for something bigger to blame."
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Z's note: I hear what he's saying, and agree - the blame game will get us no where; however, failing to react and initiate change in our society is to give in to complacency. And yes, this was one man's rampage - but we don't live in isolation. In time, the pursuit of justice (that lofty ideal) will become the focus, but what I hear the author saying is give the hokies time to grieve, and come to terms with what is a tremendous loss. And I'm in agreement.
posted by zai5h at Monday, April 16, 2007
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