Collegiate Times

As

 the spring semester was beginning two years ago, on the night of Jan. 21, 2009, Xin Yang was killed by a fellow graduate student in the Graduate Life Center. In the wake of the recent events of April 2007, the murder sent shockwaves through the entire community.

Immediately following the tragedy, several events were held to honor Xin’s memory. She was remembered at the Chinese New Year celebration, and there was a display at the Clothesline Project, as well as during the White Ribbon Campaign. Now, two years later, it seems we have nearly forgotten her memory.

When it comes to April 16, 2007, there are a number of things done to honor and remember the victims and survivors. Some of the memorials are done for the collective 32, while other events have been held on an individual basis for each of the victims. Some have been very quiet remembrances, while others have been more public in nature. In regard to this particular situation, what has been done to honor Xin Yang’s memory? How does the university community remember her? While she was a member of the Virginia Tech community for only a short time, she was still a member.

I realize our campus is affected by acts of violence on a daily basis. Clearly, most are not to the scale of outright murder, but they involve issues of harassment, relationship issues and other forms of violent behavior. Every campus, every town and every locale is affected by these issues, and we are not unique in this regard.

Since Xin Yang’s death, our university community has continued to be affected by extreme violence. In August 2009, undergraduates David Metzler and Heidi Childs were murdered at Caldwell Fields, and in October of the same year Morgan Harrington disappeared in Charlottesville. Her body was recovered in January 2010. Even today, both events remain unsolved.The question is how we as a university community honor the memories of those who have been lost as a result of violence. Does it matter if the act of violence happens on campus? Are certain victims more privileged than others when it comes to being remembered?

Most of us are familiar with the roadside markers, often a cross or other image, indicating the spot where someone lost his or her life. While it is a memorial for someone, it also serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of driving. In today’s age of technology, Facebook and other electronic media are additional ways to honor and remember the victims of violence. Recently, wreaths have been displayed at the War Memorial chapel as a form of remembrance.

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A version of this article appeared in the Jan 18 issue of the Collegiate Times.