Maroon and Orange and Blue

Thoughts from a UVa grad on recent, horrific events at Virginia Tech:

I would be remiss if I did not make some kind of commentary on the events that occurred on Monday. As many of you know or felt directly, the tragedy on the campus of Virginia Tech has affected everyone, not only here in the Commonwealth, but across the country and world. I don’t know why, but it hit home even more while I was watching the Spanish language cable station here in Richmond and they had a news story about one of the victims, whose father lives in Peru. Add that to the fact Gov. Kaine watched events unfold in his attempt to return from Tokyo and one can see the far reaching effects this has had into world communities. Everyone has gone through some kind of educational institution and felt safe and secure while attending classes or freely walking through buildings, libraries, lawns or drill fields. I can only hope that this feeling continues and that such events that happened on Monday and at Columbine are isolated. Millions of students, faculty, and staff members attend or work in thousands of educational institutions around the country everyday without incident, showing that the social structure is in place. Most people are good and caring, we can only hope that those who wish to do harm to themselves and/or others will be helped before acting on violent tendencies.

Being an aspiring educator, events that occur at schools and universities, no matter what scale, weigh heavy on my mind. Educational institutions are here to foster learning and promote intellectual interaction, but also aid in social maturing and diversity. When a small few shatter that environment of fostering…things like that should not happen. The victims were as diverse as the Virginia Tech community, coming from all backgrounds and locations. Dear friends of my mine attended Virginia Tech and I know feel deeply affected by the images and stories that flash everywhere you turn. And although the storied rivalry between Tech and UVa is well documented (and I still hope that this will not suppress the spirit of competition) the tragedy has been felt by Hokies and Cavaliers alike. I, for one, cannot escape what it must have been like to be in that engineering building or dorm. But I see hope in the efforts being made across all campuses in Virginia. The victims and their families are what matter…and things like that should not happen. On this day of remembrance we should not forget the victims, not only of this tragedy but those who are dying needlessly throughout the world – 9/11, The Tsunami, earthquakes, Iraqi civilians, and the daily victims of other murders and accidents…things like that should not happen.

As for the future, I can only hope that time will heal. Wounds do form and scars take their place as a constant reminder. We will not forget but will move on. Virginia Tech will be the constant, upstanding institution is has always been. The students, faculty, staff, and alumni will forge on with the grace and respect it has always had throughout this state and country. And I can say with confidence that when Tech is ready, the University of Virginia will be there to face them in the field, on the track, and in the arenas of sport with the respect and sportsmanship we have always had toward them.
Now I hope that I may return to my regularly schedule blogging of humor (or not so humorous), commentary and social observations that you have come to know.