Add my small voice

by mayberry on April 18, 2007

This is one of those times where I want to acknowledge what’s happening and yet I have nothing consoling or illuminating to add. Our family has a personal connection to Kent State University, where four students were killed and several others injured on May 4, 1970. While the circumstances were very different — the KSU shootings occurred during a political protest and were government-sanctioned — the event has shadowed the KSU community for decades. I wish the VTU students, families, friends, faculty, staff, alumni, and neighbors peace and comfort in the aftermath of their tragedy. Someway, somehow.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

movin'mom April 18, 2007 at 12:34 pm

So well put…in fact, I actually need to remove my “can we have a moment of silence?” from my post today. It seems so frivolous for me to complain.

I found myself to be completely disconnected yesterday while watching this all unravel on TV. Didn’t even flinch while George W spoke, not even when every spiritual leader stepped up to the podium…it was when they scanned the audience of students all sporting their school hoodies/shirtsand hats, while just trying to hold it together while tears streamed down their eyes, hugging their friends. All I could see were children…children that could be mine and then the tears started.

movin'mom April 18, 2007 at 12:34 pm

So well put…in fact, I actually need to remove my “can we have a moment of silence?” from my post today. It seems so frivolous for me to complain.

I found myself to be completely disconnected yesterday while watching this all unravel on TV. Didn’t even flinch while George W spoke, not even when every spiritual leader stepped up to the podium…it was when they scanned the audience of students all sporting their school hoodies/shirtsand hats, while just trying to hold it together while tears streamed down their eyes, hugging their friends. All I could see were children…children that could be mine and then the tears started.

Mayberry April 18, 2007 at 1:37 pm

I know – the picture on the VTU homepage really got to me when I went there earlier to find the link. It was just like what you described.

Damselfly April 18, 2007 at 1:53 pm

It’s so hard to witness something like this. And it reminds me a little bit of the Oklahoma City bombing because the violater was the person you wouldn’t expect — someone from the “inside.”

Magpie April 19, 2007 at 8:37 am

Thank you. I haven’t known what to say either. And the Nikki Giovanni quote on the VTU website is apposite and true.

Nancy April 29, 2007 at 6:21 pm

I took an unplanned break from reading blogs last week after the Va Tech shootings and then Rosie’s illness, and am just finding this. Thank you for thinking of J and my family. ((hugs))

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