- Share This Post
- submit
- 2
-
Sparkle (0)
The Internet has indisputably changed the way people around the world can respond to events both large and small, and in the case of the murders at Virginia Tech, the voices are myriad and heartfelt. In the hours since the shootings at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 32 people have since been confirmed dead, with more than 20 others still being treated at local hospitals.
I'm a college professor, the godmother of an 18-year-old bound for Blacksburg in the fall, a friend of two Hokie parents and cousin to two more current students. But it's the simple fact that I'm a breathing, feeling human being that gives me a strong interest in what VT students have to say about their experience in the wake of the worst shooting in United States history.
Social networking can get a bad rap in the context of its inherent possible dangers for young people. Still it appears that when tragedy strikes, its powers can be used equally for good. Its ability to expand the reach of students who communicate their thoughts and actions on a daily basis becomes especially powerful when the news is more important, and as in this case, painful.
The Washington Post has an active Va. Tech Shooting Blog Roundup, with excerpts from the writings of many of the University's students. Bryce aka "ntcoolfool" has been updating his LiveJournal all day. (Thanks also to LizDitz and the ever-vigilant Professor Kim for referring us to his site, among others.) As of 4:51 p.m. today, he'd gotten a taste of media attention and wasn't altogether comfortable with it.
As distant sirens continue sporadically , I find myself removed in my room with no TV. I watched President Bush’s address earlier and was surprised at how calm I was. I didn’t have the adrenaline or goose bumps that I thought I would. I just watched as he talked about the tragedy that has occurred here at Virginia Tech. I still am removed and isolated.
As this blog has received international attention, I find myself wondering what the world has come to. The media watch dogs, no offense, have jumped on this story and on me for, as one anonymous user said, ‘exploit my emotions’. At this time I do not believe this is so, because to put it simply: I’m willing to share my experience. This is nothing special. I don’t deserve any credit. I went to class as any other student would. I just happened to be on the other side of campus when the shots were fired later in the day. But isn’t that just it? What is remarkable about this story is that this is the story of an average student at this great school. Stories of horror, bloodshed, and death are soon to come from the victims of this horrible catastrophe and the limelight will shine onwards, for that is what the public thirsts for.
For those that are interested, I will write a more complete narrative of my experiences of today later, once the media frenzy has died down and I have a minute to better reflect. As of the time I am writing this I have done a radio interview with BBC and talked with a reporter from the LA Times. CBC Newsworld, the Boston Herald, Current TV, and MTV have asked for interviews and further information. As I said I intend to share my experiences with everyone, but I want to reinstate that I am just an average student and I don’t want to be made into something I am not.
Tech student JadeDiva made some earlier posts friends-only in response to unpleasant comments, but added:
It doesn't matter what happened to me, since I'm safe and in complete shock at what happened. Please keep the Tech community in your thoughts as we attempt to make it through the rest of the year. I can't even begin to comprehend what happened, especially with the timeline we're being given which doesn't match up with what I remember happening.
Thank you to all outside the Virginia Tech community who have expressed their concern. Thank you to my el-jay friends who have reached out.
The Hampton-Roads Daily Press also posted a round-up of Internet postings from Tech students. Livejournal posts can be organized by school, and fifteen pages of LJ's associate themselves with the Blacksburg area.
