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The way we see it …
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It is interesting, that, following our last editorial we should find the very violence we addressed acted out in spades.
Monday, a lone gunman unleashed a series of sadistic violent acts on the Virginia Tech campus.
In two separate situations, he gunned down 32 people and then killed himself, bringing the complete death toll to 33.
Obviously, this singular act of violence has shaken the nation. Stories of the shooting are all over the news media and round-
the-clock updates concerning Virginia Tech are happening on the radio throughout the day.
In a classic media move, all of the “talking heads” are trying to find reasons for this shooting. They ask how we can stop this and what the risk factors are. Specialists attempt to get inside the head of a mass murderer.
This board wonders why they focus so much on the killer, and not the people around him.
What is it about our societies all over the world that would allow for such a violent person to exist?
We automatically want to place blame on someone or on the institution. Yet, we never consider that blaming is part of the problem.
Recently, just in our community, we are dealing with a double murder investigation and sadistic acts.
Why do we respond to violence with more violence and statements of hatred?
Should we not rise above vindictiveness and stop violence, not the just the violent person?
Do not look to others for the answers, be pragmatic and combat this recent string of violent deeds through your own ideology of peace.
You will never know what that person you held the door for, or helped change a tire for, or bought a cup of coffee for is capable of. Perhaps all we need to understand at our worst moments is how beautiful the world is and the people who inhabit the world can still be beautiful as well.
A member of this board’s apartment recently burned in a fire, taking most of his belongings with it. This occurred around the same time he found out his aunt was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. As he stood, watching the flames consume his life, a conversation he’d recently had with his aunt came to mind.
In the end you can only be human, she told him. You can only do those things you’re capable of, so treat the time you have to love whatever it is you can and to do what you can for others and for yourself.
Remember BSU, the world is a big place full of wonder, violence and sadness.
Which will you choose?
Arbiter Editorial Board