Editorial: Students confront the media
CT Editorial Board
April 20, 2007
Walking around campus students and faculty alike bear witness to a sea of camera crews penetrating the Virginia Tech campus. From the Roanoke Times to CNN, reporters can be seen on the Drillfield and sidewalks recounting Monday's events. The Virginia Tech campus has become a hotspot for gaining information, and most especially, interviewing students. After Monday's tragedy, student narration and personal accounts have proved themselves valuable to all news stations and reporters. Students' personal stories are the closest many reporters get to the action.
After such a tragedy, it would seem that students would find it difficult to talk about a tragedy that has affected them on such a personal level. Everyone around the world is feeling the traumatic effects of Monday's shootings, but for those who had classes in Norris, friends that passed away, or teachers that lost their lives, the pain is all the more real. It is impossible to be completely unaffected.
When approached by reporters, students have handled themselves with the utmost maturity and honesty. It can be overwhelming to be constantly approached by reporters but students have handled the situation graciously and represented Virginia Tech well. After experiencing such a traumatic event, the last thing so many of us want is to replay specific memories over and over again.
Whether mourning the loss of a friend at the Burruss memorial, or signing the commemorative signs on the Drillfield, students are finding different ways to cope with loss. But even then, when approached by the media so many students have selflessly provided information to reporters.
At times the media may seem insensitive, but they really are just trying to tell a story, to show the truth to the world. It is through our words and stories that we enable top news sources to broadcast the Virginia Tech tragedy. Through the actions of so many students, the world is seeing what kind of school we truly are. We are a place that rises up in the face of adversity. We are a school that despite everything still believes in the power of kindness and love.
We at the Collegiate Times appreciate all of the people who have confided in us, shared their stories, and allowed us to share so many individual perspectives with the community. Students on campus have given a voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves. The victims would want their story to be known. Although it is painful, the Virginia Tech community has been incredibly brave in sharing the truth and in never letting Monday's events be forgotten.