Editorial: Virginia Tech faces aftermath of tragedy
CT Editorial Board
April 17, 2007
Yesterday's events escalated far beyond any of us ever imagined when the campus community received an e-mail at 9:26 a.m. indicating that there had been a shooting in West Ambler-Johnston Hall. That in and of itself was a tragedy. What transpired after that was an inconceivable disaster. With 31 deaths in Norris Hall, and two more in the dormitory, the pain and heartache blanketing the entire campus community is very much alive. All 33 deaths that occurred on campus yesterday were senseless.
Thinking about the day's events leaves us all with so many unanswered questions, and feelings of confusion. After the shootings in West Ambler Johnston Hall at 7:15 a.m., administration should have closed down the campus community, for the safety of the student population. An e-mail sent out to the student body was not received until a little over two hours later, well after many students had left for class, or were in class. Perhaps if the administration had taken more drastic action sooner, things would have been different. But hindsight is twenty-twenty; no one person or group of people is to blame.
Yesterday our school was invaded by unwarranted violence. Blacksburg has always been a place where students can feel safe to pursue their educations and passions in a safe environment. In wake of yesterday's events, Virginia Tech is still that same place. We are still a school that cares about one another, even in the aftermath of such a tragedy. Institutions are looking to our school across the country, and no one's lives will ever be the same as a result of yesterday. Especially not the lives of the families of the victims' families, who are mourning the loss of their loved ones.
Thirty-three people on the Virginia Tech campus died for no reason. When they woke up yesterday morning, they got up and dressed and walked to class, just like the rest of us. They sat in their classrooms, prepared to learn. They did their jobs as students, and in turn they were not protected. But how can anyone know what was to come. People always want to place blame, but in this case guilt falls on no one but the shooter, who brutally took the lives of so many, and then selfishly, his own.
To receive a phone call as a parent, pronouncing that your child has been hurt or killed, is unimaginable. The friends and family of the victims are the ones who need to be in our thoughts and our prayers.
Virginia Tech is an extraordinary school that doesn't deserve this tragedy, just as the innocent victims did not deserve to have their lives abruptly ended. This entire situation has given each of us a new perspective on life and its brevity. This tragedy could have happened at any school, or in any classroom on campus. It affects us all, not just at Virginia Tech, but all over the country. The victims of this senseless violence could have been any of us, and that is the saddest part.
All words seem inadequate when attempting to convey the heartbreaking sorrow filling the hearts of so many. The university's major focus should be on honoring those that died, and valuing their contributions to Virginia Tech. These were students who came to Blacksburg to better their lives. They were here pursuing the greatness of a higher education, and their presence will be missed. We lost a lot when they were taken from us and their absence is a tragedy.
When considering the number of deceased victims, 32 is devastating, but those lives are not just a number. They were 32 unique individuals, each one a member of our community. For those that were injured, our thoughts and prayers are with you. For the rest of us, now is our time to band together, and rise to the challenge we are facing. God bless all of the victims at Virginia Tech.