My Thoughts On Virginia Tech.

By: Neal2028
Published On: 4/18/2007 10:34:38 PM

I've spent the past couple of days watching the extensive coverage of the Virginia Tech Massacre. When it first happened, I don't think it really sunk in with me. The more I watch it, the more it hurts. Over 30 people are dead in a senseless act of violence.
I've thought a lot about what I should say right now. I've been gathering my thoughts I guess. I've not really accomplished it, but if I don't get it written now, I may never be able to do it.

I did not know any of the people killed. But several people I know were personally touched by this tragedy. These people weren't heroes in the classical sense; they didn't leap tall buildings, get girls off of train tracks, or even get kittens out of trees. They were everyday heroes. They had overcome adversity to make it to one of the preeminent colleges in America. One of them was a triple-major. One of them was a Holocaust surviver (although Professor Librescu was also a hero in the classical sense). All of the slain students were pursuing their hopes and dreams. It is likely that the slain professors had either attained or were in the process of attaining theirs.

I haven't had any sound sleep since the night before this tragedy. I probably won't get any sound sleep tonight either. This could have happened at any college in any town in America. This could have as easily been at my college. And those people could have been my professors and my friends, or even me. I have to hold back tears typing this, and I have a huge lump in my throat as we speak.

I believe this is something that will have long-lasting effects on not only me, but on every college student in America. Every single one. On Monday, a piece of the innocence and romace associated with college died along with those innocent lives. And, like those lives, it can't be replaced.

I'll close with the lyrics to an old hymn while I'll admit to not having heard. You may have seen this in the news release from John Edwards' campaign:

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing, in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Comments



For future reference, these types of "diaries" (Lowell - 4/19/2007 8:24:39 AM)
are not permitted on Raising Kaine.  If you want people to come to your site, you can say so in a comment, but this is not a "diary" since it provides no content in and of itself.  Thanks.


... (Neal2028 - 4/19/2007 9:57:44 AM)
In that case, delete it.

And you won't see any more "diaries" either.  Since it's not permitted.



That's not what I'm saying at all. (Lowell - 4/19/2007 10:35:03 AM)
What I'm saying is that diaries per se should contain some content.  We encourage cross-posting.  And we certainly appreciate your contributions...past and hopefully future!


Read your post (Quizzical - 4/19/2007 7:11:49 PM)
Why don't you just edit your diary and paste the post on your blog in it here too?

There's a theory that you form your worldview based on what you experience between ages 11 and 21.  Which is why different generations can see the world so differently. So I think you are probably right, that for some this tragedy is going to have a permanent effect even if they have never even been to Blacksburg.



Yes - we encourage cross posting like that... (Rob - 4/19/2007 9:37:05 PM)
we discourage one line "go over there!" diaries and some times delete 'em.  For the Virginia Tech tragedy, we decided not to delete this one, but at least let people know what our policy was.


Changed. (Neal2028 - 4/19/2007 9:55:48 PM)
I went ahead and edited it to actually have the full text of what I said (which, by the way, I didn't know how to do until like two minutes ago).  If I sounded a little cross earlier, sorry about that.

Also, my main reason for posting the diary like it was originally was because I can't seem to get LeftyBlogs to pick mine up.  It shows up on the blogroll, but it won't pick up the stories.



Thanks Neal. (Lowell - 4/19/2007 9:59:27 PM)
This is beautifully and powerfully written. 


I felt very strongly about Prof. Lebrescu's actions and wrote Del. Watts...this was her response... (doctormatt06 - 4/19/2007 10:33:23 PM)
I felt that I should relay it to you all here, because it reflects really how I feel, I hope that others will write their delegates and senators to honor this man, who though I know only from what I have been able to scrounge up, seems to be deserving of honor for what he has done.


Dear Matthew,

It's impossible to express how much I agree with you.  As I read each profile, appearing in yesterday's Post, they were so full of life and promise but when I came to Professor Lebrescu's I stopped...then came back to it again and then again.  In so many ways, his decision to die to preserve those whose lives lay before them, despite his own very strong will to live that had allowed him to survive a Nazi concentration camp, will remain with me.  How can I, who has been so fortunate to live a full life, do less than whatever is demanded of me.

I will do all I can to ensure that he is honored in the most appropriate way by the Commonwealth.

Delegate Vivian Watts

Again, please write your Senators/Delegates to honor this man for his bravery in the face of horror.



Actually.. (Neal2028 - 4/19/2007 10:55:31 PM)
I hadn't even thought of doing a special honor for Professor Librescu.  But since you brought it up, it really is a good idea.  He was a true, classical hero.