Apr17 I was going to write a post
Yesterday, I was going to write a post about Don Imus, Snoop Dogg, and our disturbing society’s culture. I had picked the topic on Sunday night, but on Monday morning, I couldn’t write it. It didn’t seem very important anymore. Though our society’s culture—which includes radio hosts, rappers, movies, books, video games, religions, and the things taught in schools—most likely influenced the shooter at Virginia Tech yesterday morning, the fact that thirty-three people are dead seems to be of far greater importance.
I don’t think we can fully grasp that thought. Make a list of thirty-three people you know, and then imagine for a moment: They were all shot dead in a single day. God, have mercy on us. I can’t put into words the ache I feel for our depraved country. Even worse is the ache I feel for the countries in the Middle East that witness things like this every day. I don’t mean school shootings, mind you, but suicide bombings, massacres equal to this. Americans are shocked and grieved at this event. But for some this is not a rarity. Pray for them.
Last night I read a news article (which I have sadly lost the link to) where a student talked about being the last person to climb out the window of his classroom alive. His teacher, Liviu Librescu, stayed and blocked the door while the shooter attempted to get in. The student said that when he looked back, his teacher was dead.
I could talk about the causes of this tragedy. I could write pages about Don Imus, rappers, narcissists, cynics, the self esteem movement, horror movies, the world view presented in public schools, or whether or not we value life in our culture. But thirty-three people are dead, one of whom was the shooter. Thirty-two have been murdered and at least one of them died trying to save the lives of others. I would just like to honor that man, and request prayer for the families and friends of these people and for the United States in general.
Note: I apologize for rambling so much. I hate rambling posts, but I feel I have to ramble. I’m not going to outline talking points on this.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 at 11:06 pm in Faith, General, Politics. You can subscribe to the comment feed to follow replies or leave a trackback from your own site.
Qis says...
I cannot begin to imagine the horror and pain this massacre caused the students of Virginia Tech. When I read the news, I kept saying “Oh my God, oh my God” while trying to put myself in the victim’s shoes. Something is definitely wrong somewhere for something as horrible as this to happen. And as you said, we could point our finger at the culture (eg. video games, horror movies, rappers etc.) But thirty-two people were killed mercilessly. It makes me wonder about the value of life, and how fragile we all are.
Let’s turn our thoughts to the victims, and the victims’ friends and family, and pray for them.
Apr. 18th, 2007
Brittney says...
Thank you. I’m flying out Friday for my cousin’s funeral. I hear her 16-year-old brother is taking it really hard. I can’t believe I saw her name on CNN. It’s so freaky. Even though I’d heard about the shootings, I never thought I would know someone who died there. I knew only two people at Virginia Tech, and since only .13% of the school was killed, I thought surely they both must be safe. I thought surely since neither was an engineering major, they must not be in the engineering building.
It’s hard to believe these things were a daily occurrence during the Holocaust and know one knew it. It’s probably a daily occurrence even now. We need to pray for the families here and overseas.
Apr. 18th, 2007
kiera says...
All I can say right now is that I agree with you. I was having this discussion with a close friend of mine. It’s makes me sad. As bad as the incident was in VT (and it was horrible) there are places in other countries where people fear for their lives daily. I can’t imagine living me my life that way, watching my family and friends live their life that way.
Apr. 28th, 2007
Jessyca says...
Well said. I don’t think that could have been summed up better.
I appreciate posts like these, and you don’t run across them every day.
Apr. 29th, 2007
Meli says...
I never left a comment because… well, in the face of this kind of post, I never know what to say. Phooey on me and my awkwardness in the face of things meaningful!
But I did read it the first day.
Apr. 29th, 2007
Meli says...
I wish Shawna would come back and blog a lot like she used to. :(
May. 13th, 2007