It happened again. This time it was bigger and bolder than all the times in the past. At present, this was the worst massive gun massacre on a campus, in a community, since the inception of this country, unless you consider the numerous deaths that occur during war. In combat, a single shooter or a pair of gun totters can destroy many lives. Few are any the wiser. American soil has seen many a battle throughout its short history. Nevertheless, in recent times violent clashes, in quiet neighborhood are more abundant. Today's carnage is the most recent example.
At least 33 people were killed today on the campus of Virginia Tech in what appears to be the deadliest shooting rampage in American history, according to federal law-enforcement officials. Many of the victims were students shot in a dorm and a classroom building.
The investigation continues. For now, details are scant. The shooter or gunman is deceased, assuming there was only one. The armed man took his own life. He was not carrying any identification. Until families of the deceased are notified, names will not be released. The circumstances were horrific.
Sidewalks throughout the campus are stained with blood. Everyone asks why. Some thirty lives were lost needlessly. The nation mourns. Journalist, students, parents, and administrators question the police in depth and detail. Earlier decisions are being scrutinized. Could law officers have prevented the second and more extreme bloodbath.
There were two separate shootings on the campus in Blacksburg, Va., the first at around 7:15 a.m., when two people were shot and killed at a dormitory. More than two hours later, 31 others, including the gunman, were shot and killed across campus in a classroom building, where some of the doors had been chained. Victims were found in different locations around the building.
The first attack started as students were getting ready for classes or were on their way there. The university did not evacuate the campus or notify students of that attack until several hours later.
As the rampage unfolded, details emerged from witnesses describing a gunman going room to room in the residence hall, the West Ambler Johnston dormitory, and of gunfire later at Norris Hall, a science and engineering classroom building.
I know not why this particular incident occurred; nor do I think this is the question we need to be asking. Again, as I have stated in the past, for me, we must wonder about a society that nurture violence and brutality. I inquire; what do we breed into our children, our adolescents, and adults?
For decades, entertainment in America has been snide, rude, crude, and violent. Shock-jocks fill the airwaves with racist, misogynistic slurs. Rappers flood television and computer screens with denigrating images. Movie pictures are gory. Life on the streets is more gruesome. Then there is the trauma and drama in our homes. People yell; they scream, they slam and damn.
We as a civilization might wonder why the gunman or shooters at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University did as they did. Together we can ponder whether the police thought little of the initial domestic dispute. Nevertheless, I believe, until we think about what occurs daily in our homes, or on our streets, nothing will change.
I propose that we contemplate why we as a country are so willing to enter into a war with other nations or other persons. People in America are angry. Our countrymen lash out. Americans are not trained to talk with their friends, families, neighbors, or adjacent countries. Until we consciously work to solve stresses calmly, through conversation, scenes such as this will continue.
Again, I present an article written months ago, after other school shootings. Then, simple solutions were postulated. I penned my thoughts. School Shooting Safeguards. Arm Educators? Aiding and abetting educators, airline pilots, police, campus cops, or citizens will not deter the crime. The crisis will not end if everyone carries a gun.
Blaming adults for their inaction or decisions during a single event will not prevent the next attack. You might recall, another incident that occurred less than a year ago. A young girl was assaulted and the community expressed concern asking of her elders. I wrote, Second-Grade Girl Attacked. "Where Were the Adults?" Everywhere!
Please, I plead; let us all ask ourselves what is causing such crimes, such chaos. I beg; please do not blame others. Ask yourself, how does my silence or my screaming contribute to what comes. Remember, no man is an island. We are each involved with mankind. Our neighbor is as we are. If he is in pain, we will be hurt.
"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume;
when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book,
but translated into a better language;
and every chapter must be so translated . . .
As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon,
calls not upon the preacher only,
but upon the congregation to come:
so this bell calls us all:
but how much more me,
who am brought so near the door by this sickness . . .
No man is an island, entire of itself . . .
any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind;
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
it tolls for thee."
~ John Donne
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