Moving forward in a time of tragedy
In my opinion
By: Ossie Bladine |
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Commentary
In the wake of a tragedy that questions many aspects of American society, the community of Virginia Tech was given solace by a poem written by Hokie professor Nikki Giovanni during Tuesday's convocation. (The entire poem is posted at www.vt.edu/tragedy/ giovanni_transcript.php.)
The poem tells the story of mourning ("We are strong enough to stand tall tearlessly, we are brave enough to bend and cry, and sad enough to know we must laugh again"), senselessness ("We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did nothing to deserve it") and resiliency ("We are better than we think and not quite what we want to be, we are alive to the imagination and the possibility, we will continue to invent the future"). Giovanni finished, her hands in the air, with the words, "We will prevail, We will prevail, We will prevail, We are Virginia Tech," which was followed by a standing ovation and collective "Let's Go Hokies" chant.
"We felt alive, we felt invincible," wrote the editorial board of VT's student newspaper, Collegiate Times. Giovanni's poem is one of many invigorating tools that will help the process of mourning the 33 people who died Monday.
The stupid act of violence that occurred in Blacksburg, VA, proves that by no means can a single person break a community. One can kill another and one can wound a society; but wounds heal, albeit with scars, and companionship, understanding and a common sense always prevails.
Though it's difficult to do, this tragedy must be separated from other like societal disasters. The connection of the Virginia Tech tragedy and recent high school shootings was made quickly. After the initial focus on the specific event, media members and politicians from around the world were quick to deem this another American crisis that goes hand-in-hand with Thurston, Columbine and others. This is a typical answer from a national media system that has spent the last few days, and will spend many days to come, unraveling every possible detail and encouraging all types of debate pertaining to the killings, and comparing them to prior events. From the inner psyche of the killer to the indictments against America's gun culture, the media cannot help but pervade society with contemplative specifications, because that is its job. Similarly, it is the government's job to do a systematic review of the situation and seek improvements. But these are all thoughts and while thoughts produce and evaluate a crisis, the real crisis is the deep feelings and raw emotions of those affected.
This current murder spree is separate, however, because it puts a mark on a new set of feelings and emotions - the ones connected to higher education. This attack did not happen in a setting of confined growth were stereotypes heavily influence social scenes and where goals are, for the most part, laid out for you. This attack happened in a setting where converging paths and ideas coexist and roam freely. This happened in an arena of community development. This senseless attack happened in a setting where the ultimate goal is finding a common sense.
As University student Stephanie Strahan said during Tuesday night's vigil in the EMU Amphitheater "When you go to college and it happens in another college, you feel like you're in the same community."
As we take a step back this week to contemplate, it's important to remember why we are on this campus in Eugene. Sure, everyone needs personal development and self fulfillment, but at the end of the day, we all possess an inner desire to strengthen our community. Express ideas openly and open up to ideas of others; discuss, debate and decide with a communal rationale. Take time to celebrate who we are and what we are doing: We are Oregon, and we are inventing the future.
pbladine@dailyemerald.com
--
Image by:Grayce Bentley
Original Source: Daily Emerald
<a href="http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2007/04/19/Commentary/Moving.Forward.In.A.Time.Of.Tragedy-2852830.shtml">http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2007/04/19/Commentary/Moving.Forward.In.A.Time.Of.Tragedy-2852830.shtml</a>
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Ossie Bladine (Author)/Grayce Bentley (Image)
2008-02-19
Kacey Beddoes
Judy Riedl <jriedl@uoregon.edu>
eng
VT: In Memory of Virginia Tech
<u>VT</u>
<b>Written by Al Shoemaker
In memory of those who died at Virginia Tech, May they always be with us</b>
<i>This poem is dedicated to all that were lost,
Because someone wanted power and lives were the cost
For all the ones that sat there in fear,
For all the ones that shed many tears,
And for the ones who lost their loved ones, so kind and dear
We give a salute to all of them that tried to protect,
From a foolish madman that had a defect
Admiration should be given to all those that went to a better place,
Because their bravery shined, that moment they looked death in the face
For all the ones that suffered grief,
We hope very much that their pain will only be brief
Many sat there in caution, petrified like stone,
As that bad man took many lives, before he took his own
This is for all the ones who managed to stay so strong,
During that horrible moment, that felt so very long
They had to be so brave, to be so filled with hope,
And we wish good for the families, who are now trying to cope
Now is the time to spread peace and love,
In remembrance of the ones that now float above
No one knows why this era has already become such a sad time,
But now we must stand up, to prevent such similar crimes
We must stop other things from going on now,
How this became such a scary world, no one really knows how
We need to stop murders, racism, gang violence and gay bashing,
And we need to stop theft, violence, and window smashing
So let's help all the victims, families, and survivors and show that we all care,
Help them on their feet and help them recover from this scare,
And clean this death and sorrow out of our air,
So now we want to give love, to those whose dreams were wrecked,
And everyone else, who was there at Virginia Tech</i>
--
<b>Author's Comments</b>
It was very tragic, what happened a few days ago at Virginia Tech, so I wrote this poem in honor of the victims, survivors, families, and everyone else related to Virginia Tech, and to inspire others to help the cause. May all the lost ones rest in peace.
--
Original submitted to deviantart.com on April 18, 2007: <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/53501916/">http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/53501916/</a>
Licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 License</a>.
Al Shoemaker
2007-05-24
Brent Jesiek
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5
eng
SONG: 'That Way' by lithiumfailed
I woke up today
This mirror doesn't reflect me
No one that I know of
Has time passed so quickly?
Did you give the final shove?
Save us from evil
Save us from evil
Is this what I've become?
A heart left untouched
My wounds have come undone
I hold your lives in a clutch
((Save us from evil))
And all I have to say
((Save us from evil))
Is that I never walked that way
((Save us from evil))
Can the night save the day?
((Save us from evil))
I woke up today
Is this the end of me?
And all I'd hoped to be?
I can only save myself
Through the blood of someone else
((Save us from evil)
I cannot walk this way
((Save us from evil))
I will not live to say
((Save us from evil))
That I walked that way
((Save us from evil))
I can't wake up today
And all this pain I see
Reflects right back at me
I've been where you were before
But I ignored that door
((Save us from evil))
I'm proud to say
((Save us from evil))
I never walked that way
((Save us from evil))
I've finally found my day
((Save us from evil))
My eyes are open today
Save us from evil
I woke up today
--
<b>Author's Comments</b>
Inspired by the events at Virginia Tech. Rest in peace :heart:
MayB
--
Original submitted to deviantart.com on April 18, 2007: <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/53516419/">http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/53516419/</a>
Licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 License</a>.
lithiumfailed / MayB
2007-05-24
Brent Jesiek
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 License
eng
Virginia Killings - We Know Not
We know not your name
We know not your height
Nor your weight
Nor your burdens
The things that brand you
We know not the reason
We know not the thoughts
Nor the sorrow
Nor the regret
The things that brand you
We know not who you are
We know not who you want to be
Nor who you could be
Nor who you should be
The things that brand you
To me you are a killer
To her you are a savior
To him you are a bastard
To them you are nothing
Is this why
In the end
They paid
With their lives?
Is this why
In the end
They won't see
Her again?
Is this why
In the end
She is alone
And all she can do is cry
You've killed
Daughters
Sons
Fathers
Mothers
Friends
Grandsons
Granddaughters
Nieces
Nephews
Cousins
Aunts
Uncles
Brothers
Sisters
Lovers
You've hurt
Daughters
Sons
Fathers
Mothers
Friends
Grandsons
Granddaughters
Nieces
Nephews
Cousins
Aunts
Uncles
Brothers
Sisters
Lovers
You've hurt
Me
--
<b>Author's Comments</b>
This is my worst poem I've yet to write, but the things that happened today, Monday, April 16, 2007, have really touched and upset me. This beats slicing, so I figured whatever. Comments are disabled b/c I really don't like this.
(C) Keithlee Spangler a.k.a. fickshonal a.k.a. Bella
If you are unaware as to what happened in Virgina today, here is a [link] to read it. Byes for now.
--
Original submitted to deviantart.com on April 16, 2007: <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/53399599/">http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/53399599/</a>
Licensed under a
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 License</a>.
Keithlee Spangler
2007-05-24
Brent Jesiek
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5
eng
32: In Honor of Virginia Tech
Did that really happen that April spring day?
When 32 lives in an instant were swept away?
That terrible day: 32 lives lost, ended too soon;
The day Heaven was draped in orange and maroon.
Blacksburg's winds that day roared loud and sweeping -
That was the tortured sound of God Himself weeping.
That tragedy turned all of humanity into pallbearers:
A heartbreak so painful, strangers became mourners.
A nightmare too horrific for words, just grief;
All of us clinging to our precious belief
That hope will shield us from our worst fears;
But for that day, that time, there were only tears.
That day we hugged a loved one a little tighter
And sought the hope to make our souls stronger;
We learned you will never be alone, whatever you do,
As long as there are people who care about you.
We grieved together, all united with one noble heart;
Whatever we could do, we wanted to do our part.
If I could share my soul, my strength with another,
I would, we all would, if only because he is my brother.
Whoever we were, wherever our loyalties lay,
The individual ceased to matter that gruesome day.
One phrase brought the world closer together solemnly:
"Today we are all Hokies!" we proclaimed proudly.
Tragedies may shape us but they cannot define us,
As long as we care for each other in times of distress.
Some wounds may heal; some scars may last forever -
Thirty-two gone but not forgotten: We will always remember.
May 7, 2007
Mike Fox
2007-05-11
Mike Fox
eng
Weeping At The Mount
Weeping At the Mount
The Lord is weeping at the mount
What has happened to his dreams?
He prayed and prayed for a single purpose
That we would live in peace
After generations and generations we have forgotten
That little thing called love
While God chose his Son, one and only begotten
So that we may simply come
Instead we choose to see ourselves
Instead of looking out
Light turns a dark shade of greed
We have turned from love, without a doubt
Taking what isn't ours, what others need
Lives, money, property and jewels
Like honey to our eyes
We turn from wisdom, and become great fools
While the Lord is weeping at the mount
What happened to what we shared?
Everyday is new, let's turn around
Let's show each other extra love and care!
*Every time a murder or robbery happens, we're throwing stones at Jesus on the cross! Don't brush this off, because hate, jealousy and anger we hold on to are also forms of throwing stones!
Kelly Warren
2007-05-02
Kelly Warren
eng
Lost But Not Forgotten
LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
They lost their life on that fateful day
April 16th together we pray.
No motive, no means, to commit such a crime.
What began a Monday morning,
lost like a drop of a dime.
A community, our school,
Virginia Tech that is.
What turned into a tragedy.
once known as a serene state of bliss.
It was a snowy, cold, spring morning
when their world came to a halt.
A day of great remembrance
full of pain, grief, and fault.
No one can possibly
express this magnitude of distress.
To hold their hand in silence
and mourn those we miss.
Where do we go from here?
Is there any place to turn?
To change the hands of time
And take away their fear.
Through the darkness of night
until the break of a new day.
Please remember our HOKIES
This, I ask you to pray.
Elizabeth Patterson
Elizabeth Patterson
2007-05-02
Elizabeth Patterson
eng
"Not Forgotten"
"Not Forgotten"
Time has narrowed,
increasing so fast.
With no escape,
nothing will last.
32 ever so freightened,
broken hearts are vast.
Fear building courage,
their moment shall never pass.
********************************
Virginia Tech holds a special place in the hearts of our family, having a daughter as a graduate of Virginia Tech and one son which is currently attending Virginia Tech Engineering. The events which occurred on 4/16/2007 saddened us deeply. We choose to remember the heroes that day, all who gave their lives, were injured, assisted in the recovery and of course, our law enforcement officers.
Mike Hammack
2007-05-02
Mike Hammack
eng