BLACKSBURG, Va. - A steady stream of breaking news added to the tension on Virginia Tech's campus Wednesday following the Monday deaths of 33 students and faculty. An afternoon press conference revealed that NBC News received a package containing what network officials described as a "multimedia manifesto" from Cho Seung-Hui, the student definitively identified as the gunman in one of two shootings Monday. "Upon reception of this correspondence, NBC News immediately notified authorities," Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. Steven Flaherty said. "This may be a very new, critical component of this investigation." Authorities still were evaluating the materials Wednesday night, even as NBC began to release images and videos taken by Cho. Students gasped and whispered "Oh my god" as television screens flashed an image of Cho posing menacingly with two handguns raised at eye level. The videos portray the intense anger of an individual whose exact motives still are unclear. Cho assigned blame for the massacre to his victims, claiming that he "died like Jesus Christ, to inspire generations of weak and defenseless people." He called his victims "snobs" and suggested the source of his rage was the privilege and materialism that he saw in his classmates. "Your trust funds wasn't enough," he said, sitting in front of a plain cinder-block wall and appearing to read from a script. "Your vodka and cognac wasn't enough. All your debaucheries weren't enough." The release of the video capped an already uneasy day. Even two days after the shootings, and with a dwindling number of students on campus, the community remained on edge. Early in the day, a swarm of police and media descended on Burruss Hall after a Va. Tech operator received a threat on university President Charles Steger's life. The building was secured by police and a report of a suspicious person came in amid the confusion, said campus police Chief Wendell Flinchum. "These kinds of reports are not uncommon in the wake of what has occurred in the last 48 hours," he said, alluding to the vigilant mood in Blacksburg. The last two days have left investigators, reporters and students scrambling to understand an event that left friends, family and community members dead. There is growing frustration at the news that Cho had an extensive history of psychological instability, including a recommendation of involuntary hospitalization dating back to 2005. Campus police were contacted with complaints about Cho in November and December of last year, when two female students alleged that he repeatedly contacted them through phone calls, Internet messages and in person. At the time of the second complaint, police received a separate report that Cho might be suicidal. University counselors found the risk credible enough that he was sent to a mental health facility in nearby Radford, Va., on Dec. 13. Lucinda Roy, the chairwoman of the English department at Va. Tech, also shared her concerns with campus police during the fall semester of 2005 when she became concerned about the substance of Cho's writing. Flinchum was careful to note that there was no direct threat in the writings, so the university had no ground for taking drastic action. "The writings did not express any threatening intentions or allude to any criminal activity, and no criminal violation had taken place," he said. "Since those contacts in November and December of 2005, I am not aware of any additional incidents or reports made to our department." Even as the revelations about Cho's history at the university became public, most students remained reluctant to fault the university's handling of the supposed warning signs. "You never know what's beneath the surface," said Matt Stewart, a senior at nearby Radford University who was on campus to pick up his girlfriend. "You can't prevent crazy." Stewart said his girlfriend would be staying with him for a few days because she had a "bad vibe" about remaining on campus. "She just wants to get away and let the town settle down a little bit," he said. That seemed to be a common sentiment. Throughout the day, students trickled out of dormitories carrying backpacks and suitcases, some piling into cars with friends and others being picked up by parents. "I'd say most people just want to get away for a bit, get a little breather," said Eric Hilgartner, a freshman waiting for his ride outside West Ambler Johnston Residence Hall. "I need to come home for my parents' sake more than mine. I know they'd like to see me." The university canceled the spring football scrimmage scheduled for Saturday, and professors still are figuring out how to cope with grades and class schedules before students return Monday. Across campus Tuesday and Wednesday, groups of students speculated about what might happen with essays and tests that had been scheduled for this week and how exams might be affected. University officials announced Wednesday afternoon that individual deans would have the authority to decide how to proceed with the semester. They left open the possibility that final exams could be canceled at the discretion of the university's separate colleges. But with police visible on every corner and a continuing frenzy of media activity on campus, many students said they simply wanted to get out of town. Hilgartner said he hopes the university is out of the media glare by the time he returns. "We'd like to get back to that quiet reputation we had in Blacksburg," he said. "Well, if we can ever get it back." -- Original Source: Daily Tar Heel - April 18, 2007
BLACKSBURG, Va. - The revelation that Virginia Tech shooter Cho Seung-Hui had a documented history of psychological problems is likely to intensify an already heated debate about how campuses handle troubled students. A number of high-profile court cases in recent years have centered on the constraints and responsibilities university officials confront in deciding whether to take pre-emptive action on behalf of at-risk students. Christopher Flynn, director of the Cook Counseling Center at Virginia Tech, alluded to that difficulty in discussing Cho's history of strange behavior. "There are lots of issues that are present on a college campus," Flynn said during a Wednesday press conference. "The extent to which we can make a judgment about whether someone is a danger is a separate issue." For universities, it is an issue fraught with moral and legal complications. Officials have to balance concern for campus safety with an obligation to protect individual privacy, often with vague guidelines. "Schools walk a real fine line," said Johnne Armentrout, assistant director of counseling services at Wake Forest University. "The tricky thing is that they face lawsuits on both sides, either from not doing enough or from violating their students' privacy rights." Federal law prohibits universities from revealing a student's psychological problems, even to parents, unless they have a signed waiver or believe the student poses an imminent danger to himself or others. Deciding when to break that confidentiality is difficult, but universities typically have erred on the side of protecting student privacy. In recent cases, universities have prevailed in court against parents arguing that they should have been better informed about their children's psychological problems. "When in doubt, my decision is to respect the student's right to privacy," said David McCord, head of the psychology department at Western Carolina University. "The students' right to privacy is mandatory training for all faculty." But in the wake of Monday's tragedy at Virginia Tech, there already are calls for revisiting the circumstances when counselors can disclose potential threats. Flynn and other campus officials faced tough questions Wednesday about why Cho was not forced to seek more help when professors complained about his behavior. "We certainly are always sensitive to the potential for violence," Flynn said. "That's a very difficult thing to predict clearly." That uncertainty is what puts counselors in such a challenging position, said Robert Murphy, executive director of the Center for Child and Family Health, a joint venture between UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke and N.C. Central universities. He said universities are likely to review their policies in the aftermath of Monday's shooting. "Legally, our society has come down more on the side of the individual client or patient rights," Murphy said. "There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people in this country who might present with similar warning signs but never go on to commit an act like this, and that's the really tricky part." -- Original Source:Daily Tar Heel - April 19, 2007
Thousands honor fallen, rally hope BLACKSBURG, Va. - Resounding cries of "Lets go Hokies!" echoed off the walls of Cassell Coliseum on Tuesday, capturing the mix of grief and pride that marked Virginia Tech's first full day of coping with the aftermath of Monday's massacre. The basketball stadium was filled with shouting students and community members, clad in the orange and maroon reminiscent of a Hokie Homecoming rally. Only minutes earlier, the room had been silent. The campus and the community gathered at the coliseum for a Convocation to mourn the deaths of the 33 students and faculty members who died Monday. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush attended the event, along with all of Virginia's congressmen, Gov. Tim Kaine and his wife, members of the university board of visitors, members of the clergy, poet and Va. Tech professor Nikki Giovanni and local officials. "For many of you, your first instinct was to call home and let your moms and dads know that you were OK," Bush said. "I know many of you feel awfully far away from people you lean on and people you count on during difficult times. But as a dad, I can assure you a parent's love is never far from their child's heart." The 10,000-seat arena reached capacity about 20 minutes before the event began at 2 p.m. Several thousand people also camped out in Lane Stadium to watch the ceremony on the JumboTron, filling the football field and parts of the stands. Many students rested their heads on friends' shoulders and cried as speakers took the stage. The Convocation marked the first time the Tech community was brought together after learning that a senior English major, 23-year-old Cho Seung-Hui, was responsible for the shootings. "How can we know if something like this will happen again?" junior Brandon Campion questioned. "That's like everyone here." Later Tuesday night, as students gathered on the campus' sprawling Drillfield for a candlelit vigil, a crowd of thousands stood silent for almost 10 minutes. The only sounds were of sniffles and camera shutters, as hundreds of photographers from across the world took in the scene. But even that somber event would not have been complete without the inevitable shouts of "Hokies!" and thousands of candles hoisted in a defiant toast of light. At one point, a stadium-style wave rippled across the field. "This is definitely a football school," quipped Weston Hunter, a graduate student in the mathematics department. Hunter said it felt right to remain on campus, even as many students left to be with family and friends. "It's good to be here," he said. "This is the most relevant place to be." Police confirmed Tuesday morning that Seung-Hui was the gunman in the shooting at Norris Hall, an engineering building, which left 31 people dead, including Seung-Hui. His death is being called a suicide. An earlier shooting at West Ambler-Johnston Residence Hall left two people dead - resident adviser Ryan Clark and freshman Emily Hilscher. Campus police Chief Wendell Flinchum said Tuesday that one of two handguns recovered from the Norris Hall crime scene also was used in the dorm shooting. However, he stopped short of saying Seung-Hui was the shooter in both incidents. One gun was a 9 mm handgun and the other a .22-caliber handgun. Seung-Hui was a South Korean native and a legal resident alien of the United States, here on a visa. He lived in Harper Residence Hall. His permanent residence is listed as Centreville, Va. As of Tuesday evening, nine people remained hospitalized in stable condition and two in serious condition. More than 20 people were injured in the incident and taken to hospitals across the region. As the names of victims leaked to the media, students found comfort and grief in the news. "(Clark) was doing his job and I think that's the hardest thing to deal with," said senior Manisha Joshi, who was a resident adviser with Clark for two years. Joshi said being around other people who understand what's going on has helped her deal with the tragedy. And even on such a large campus, with more than 25,000 full-time students, it is hard to find anyone who isn't somehow connected to the victims. "You've either had class with them, they lived on someone's hall, or you've seen them around," junior Staci Hudy said. "I'm waiting to see when individual memorial services are going to be held." Many students are using Facebook.com to create groups for friends and supporters of the deceased. Some groups also have relayed information about those believed injured or dead. Numerous students expressed the need for solidarity in this time of crisis, and even many of those planning to spend time at home elected to stay long enough to attend the group events Tuesday. "I think it was a really nice thing that everybody got together," freshman Tiffani Price said after Convocation. Price said that her biology lab partner was killed and that one of her high-school friends still is missing. "I think it helped a lot of people. It helped everybody feel they had someone who was experiencing the same thing as them." Time is what students say it will take to move on and put this incident behind them. The semester is scheduled to close May 2, with Commencement set for May 12. "Please don't be concerned right now about how your academic situations will all work out," said Tom Brown, senior associate dean of students, at the Convocation. "You cannot get your mind back on academics without first taking some time to take care of yourself." Classes have been canceled for the remainder of the week to give students time to cope with the situation, and Norris Hall will be closed for the rest of the semester. "I think going to graduation this year is going to have a different effect on a lot of us," Joshi said. "It's going to be a time to celebrate, but it's also going to be a time to remember." -- Original Source:Daily Tar Heel - April 18, 2007
Erin France, Eric Johnson, Jessica Schonberg and Alexandria Shealy
They say you never forget where you are when you hear life altering news. On April 16, 2007, I was in my car driving back to work from lunch. It was a beautiful spring day in Cincinnati. My window was down and The Frey was playing in the CD player. All of a sudden, my Nextel went off. It was the Sales Manager from work. He told me that there were reports coming in that there was a shooting at Virginia Tech. At least 22 had been confirmed dead...I just remember thinking to myself that this had to be some kind of mistake...Some kind of joke... I was born and raised in Blacksburg. I attended Tech and graduated with a degree in Soc in 1998. My memories of the community, of the University? They are simply untouchable. The sweet smell after a spring or summer rain. The Dogwood trees. The limestone buildings. The Drillfield. The community that, eventhough I had moved away from, was still so much a part of me. For the next week I watched with the rest of the world as Blacksburg and Virginia Tech took over every major station in America. However, I watched with a broken and heavy heart. What I felt, no one else around me could understand. I grieved with the Hokie Nation as if I were a part of it. Then I realized I still was. Now, almost a full year later, my heart is still just as heavy as it was. I think of my beloved home and cringe at the thought of someone destroying its innocent sidewalks, buildings...The dorm where I had lived my freshman year. Still, I know I will never forget where my home is. I will never forget where I came from. Most importantly, I will never forget where I was when I heard that so many of my Hokie family members had been taken from me far too soon. My only hope is that one day we will all be able to think about Virginia Tech and not forget. I hope too, one day we will be able to remember our happier times that the University gave us, as it helped make us into the strong adults that we are today.
Beauty and Depravity | eugene cho's blog [eugenecho.com] Like everyone else - here [Seattle], there [Virginia], West [United States, East [Korea], and everywhere, I am trying to make sense of something that is simply - senselesss. Personally, the emotions have been even more convoluted because I am Korean-American. I am a Korean immigrant [immigrated at the age of 6] and understand the immigrant experience; I am a Korean-American Immigrant Male [who even shares the same last name - 'C-H-O' - as the gunman]. I am a Christian pastor involved in the institution of Religion that Seung Hui Cho criticized and expressed disappointment. For these reasons, many have asked, called, IM'd, and emailed asking me to share some of my thoughts - as a person, a Christian, an immigrant, a pastor, but especially as a Korean-American man. I'm sharing some thoughts [some which are still in vomitaceous process] in hopes that we can dialogue here - that it may serve as part of the healing and redemptive process. Monday night was an incredibly eerie day for me. After watching the news with incredulity and horror, I posted a blog entry about the tragedy in Virginia Tech. About 9pm [PST], I began to literally have over hundred people instantaneously get to my blog in a span of two hours. Search Views | seung cho blog 18, cho virginia tech myspace 17, virginia tech shooting cho 17, cho 15, cho virginia tech 15, virginia tech cho 13, cho virginia 9, virginia tech student shooter Cho 9, virginia shooter cho myspace 8, Sung Cho Blacksburg 7, virginia tech blog cho 7, blog virginia tech 2, cho seung virginia tech shooting 2, Cho, Korean, Blacksburg 2CHO, virginia shooting korean 2, Virginia Tech Myspace Cho 2, Cho myspace virginia tech 2, Cho Seung virginia tech 2, virginia tech cho shooting 2, Myspace Cho Virginia Tech 2, "Cho" Blacksburg 2, viginia tech cho korea shooting 2, "Cho" virginia tech korea myspace 2, cho virginia tech shoot 2, korean virginia tech cho 2, pastoral health 2, quest eugene cho 2, cho virginia tech shooting 2, virginia cho 2 As I examined my dashboard through wordpress, it was fairly obvious to me that while the news wouldn't be shared to the larger world until the next morning, there was strong suspicion - perhaps through authorities or through some of the student body - that the gunman may have been someone named Seung [Hui] Cho. I was speechless, ashamed, angry, and afraid. [You can also add 'guilty' because of my selfishness. Like others, I felt "pathetic" in wishing the person wasn't Korean or Asian...I became more self-focused rather on mourning with those who have suffered in the tragedy]. Some vomitaceous thoughts, questions, and reflections: 1 We need to remember, foremost, that lives have been dramatically impacted. 33 people have died. 32 who were completely innocent. Each person that died or was severely injured has a name, a story, a family, a passion, a dream, and a life. Let's not forget that in the midst of the media frenzy. This is a must read. 2 It's clear that Seung Cho was unhealthy, unstable, disturbed, ill [schizophrenia?], angry, lost, and [place your words here]. But that's the only clear thing. I needed the turn the TV off because the 'stretching' for information, analysis, scrutiny, and answers to who, what, where, when, and why was overly speculative. Compare the reporting of Fox News and BBC News... While I understand the need for 'why,' we're simply not going to know the full picture. While Seung's action were horrible and evil [and premeditated], we must remind ourselves that he too is a human being - as difficult as that might be. Knowing some of the dynamics of the Asian/Korean culture and the synthesis of pain, guilt, and shame, I am sincerely worried for his family - particularly his parents. They, too, are victims in this story. Update: read the statement issued by Sun Kyung Cho and her family. One thing that the media won't touch is the simple and painful matter: Evil exists in our world. There is a spiritual dimension that the media won't discuss but the church must engage. As much as we seek to create a perfect world [and it is a worthwhile pursuit], this will not be the first nor will it be the first murder or tragedy. 3 why do the media keep calling him 'cho'? he has a first name... maybe it's me, but i'm tired of hearing and reading my last name. couple folks actually emailed me [from other parts of the country] through the blog to ask if i'm related to seung. 4 Will there be racial backlash? Do Asians and Koreans need to fear? On the most part, I do not believe there will be overt backlash but there are always going to be pockets of people that will be stupid and do stupid things. It would be nonsenical for people to associate this violent act to Koreans or Asians simply because of Seung Hui Cho's ethnicity. In that same vein, it would have been preposterous and unjust for us to place blame on African-Americans for the actions of John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo in the 'Beltway Sniper attacks' of 2002 or to ask White Americans to share blame with Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma bombings of 1995. But the question must be asked. How is the media influencing the construct of the national consciousness? That's a worthwhile question for me. In the early reporting, I was perturbed that Seung was being referred to as 'the Asian killer' and 'the Korean killer.' While he is Asian and Korean, the media needs to be more responsible in their sensational reporting. What do you think? As one commenter replied in an earlier posting: i definitely wish/ hope that most would not see the shooter as representative of all asians, but in america, if the person in question is not a white, heterosexual, protestant, middle class, educated man, then their race, creed and color seems to always be part of the equation. he has been marked as the resident alien from abroad who came into our land and terrorized us, and with our heightened fear of the other, this situation seems to be full of potential for type casting and APIA caricatures. and i think if these kinds of caricatures flourish (as they did with mid-easterners post 9/11), then it's not unreasonable to fear violent reprisal. and so while i certainly hope that people can view the event as isolated, i know that it's very difficult for our culture to separate media representations of people groups from 'reality.' 5 Why are Koreans/Asians afraid of backlash? My hope is that in the midst of this tragedy, a small glimpse will be captured of the Asian-American [immigrant] experience. Asians and particularly, Korean-Americans are xenophobic. Historically, Koreans have been invaded, pillaged, and exploited...one of the foremost Korean historians Ki-Baek Lee refers to Korea as "the prostitute of Asia." From an immigrant experience, two very formative events in modern Asian American history impact our responses as Asian-Americans - particularly those who are older. In my opinion, the most significant event in modern Asian-American history is the story of Vincent Chin - a Chinese American man beaten to death by a baseball bat by two white auto industry workers - outside of a club during his bachelor party. Even worse, the white men were acquitted. For Korean Americans, the most significant event in their modern history is the LA riots and specifically, Sai-I-Gu (4/29). The United States is an incredible country and I am a proud citizen of this country; but it's not a perfect country and while I believe there won't be an overt backlash, I do worry how it will impact the individual and larger [White] collective view of Asian-Americans, Korean-Americans, "foreigners," "immigrants" and such. We should agree: if one Asian or Korean is bullied as a result of this, it's one too many. If one woman is bullied because of her gender, it's one too many. If one gay person is bullied because of their orientation, it's one too many. 6 As we mourn for those impacted, we must ask the question, "Why am I mourning?" Are Korean-Americans and Asian-Americans mourning because the perpetrator was Korean [because of shame and/or fear] or because of the larger tragedy? Are we mourning because of the 1 or are we mourning because of the 32? For Koreans, the answer is likely both. We are mourning because of the 33. This is important to understand. To be Korean - culturally - is to be communal. Koreans are interconnected in a communal culture. We rejoice and mourn with the successes and failures of our fellow Koreans or Korean-Americans. We cling and rejoice with individuals like James Sun [The Apprentice], Paul Kim [American Idol], Michelle Wie [LPGA golfer], Yul Kwon [Survivor: Cook's Island], Hines Ward [NFL Football], and Yunjin Kim [ABC's Lost]. And because we are a communal culture - interconnected - not only as Koreans but also within our KA immigrant experience, we mourn and feel deep pain and shame over Seung Hui Cho. For the larger Anglo worldview, the question must also be asked: Is Seung Hui Cho an "Asian Killer" or "the Korean Killer" or is he a Korean-American [emphasis added] or an American that committed an evil crime? What is the demarcation of what it means to be an American? He immigrated at the age of 8; grew up in Detroit; moved to the suburbs of Washington DC; educated in the States; and was an English major in Virginia Tech. A great definition of community (Romans 12:15) is when [or if] we choose to "mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice." As Asian-Americans, we must mourn with those who mourn not simply because an Asian was involved in the crime, but because our larger community - our country - is in mourning. This is also our country, our people, our college community...this can't be their tragedy. this is [must be] our shared tragedy. 7 Why are we so violent as Americans? Should we discuss gun control here? Where do we start? What is our Christian response? Why are so many Christians so adamant about the right to bear arms? Where is that found in the Scriptures? I can cite tons of places about mercy, humility, justice, the oppressed, the poor, the widows...but why such obsession with arms and yet, such silence on the items listed above? How are we as Christians and as consumers feeding the violence acceptance of our culture? Insert pop culture here. 8 The lives of those who have perished must be remembered, cherished and celebrated. Period. But today alone, nearly 200 people were killed in Bahgdad. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 children will die today because of poverty [according to UNICEF]. That's 210,000 children this week; a little under 11 million children [five and under] each year. While this is a horrible tragedy, [one life lost - is one too many] we must commit ourselves to the elevation of the sanctity of life. each person - with a name, a story, a family, a dream, a beauty... Let's remain in prayer for those impacted in this shared tragedy; let's mourn with those who mourn; hope together; and work - whatever faith, ethnicity, country, political affiliation - for the shared responsibility of being a good neighbor. _________ One last note. As a Korean-American Male Cho Immigrant Christian Pastor, I do have another response: God is love. Because He is Love, He created order out of chaos. His purpose was love and shalom. We were created for beauty - created in the image of God. Shalom was violated and marred. Our image tainted and cracked. Jesus came to redeem and restore. Invitation is extended to all - including the lonely, the outcast, the marginalized, the rich, the debaucherized, and such. And lest we forget or bathe in our righteousness, we have all fallen short of the glory of God. We are confronted by our depravity. We all need God and thanks be to God, the Lord is not far. He is near. This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 18th, 2007 -- Archived with permission of the author. Original Source: Beauty and Depravity | eugene cho's blog [eugenecho.com] http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2007/04/18/making-sense-of-virginia-tech/
seattle PI guest column on the tragedy of virginia tech
Beauty and Depravity | eugene cho's blog [eugenecho.com] Here's the guest column I had the privilege of writing for the Seattle Post Intelligencer [published for Tuesday, April 24, 2007]. I've also included some other reads I have personally found very moving and insightful. I was limited by time and a word count, but hoped that this 'guest column' would be a source of healing, deeper understanding, and blessing to many. I wish I did a better job, [and given them my own title], and spoken from a larger Asian perspective. One clarification I want to make - while I and other Koreans/Asians grieve and feel pain and 'shame' over Seung Hui Cho, we are not the victims in this tragedy. My hope was to convey that no matter who or what we are, we are all connected to one another - not just because of our ethnic identity but our larger human collective and narrative. Because of the invitation to address the larger Washington readership, I chose not to be preachy. Much of this editorial comes from some initial thoughts shared in a blog entry from last week entitled, 'Making Sense of the Senseless.' Worthwhile Relevant Reads: Cho Family Statement [Sun Kyung Cho], Guilt, Shame,and Corporate Identity [elderj], To Blame is Human [James Choung], A Lesson in Your Apology [Philadelphia Enquire Editorial], One of Our Own [Bo Lim], Nikki Giovanni Convocation Address [N. Giovanni], Making Sense of the Senseless Comment [rk], Va Tech Victims Pics & Stories [NY Times], and Silence of a Murderer's Mother [Diana Bass]. If you have a lot of time and are bored, here's the mp3 of the sermon [57.12] I shared last Sunday at Quest Church. I preached from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Isaiah 1:17, and Matthew 5:9 entitled, 'Love Wins.' Yes, it is very long but I also have to stay true to my preaching nickname: 'Fiddy.' Here's the direct link to the Seattle PI column: Like everyone else — here (Seattle), there (Virginia), West (United States), East (Korea) and everywhere (the larger world), I have been shocked and horrified over the Virginia Tech shooting. I have been trying to make sense of something that is senseless. Personally, the emotions have been even more convoluted because of my bicultural identity. I was born in Korea, immigrated to the United States at the age of 6 and thus am Korean American. I am also a U.S. citizen; I am a Korean American male immigrant and even share the same surname as the gunman, Seung-Hui Cho. Once I discovered that the gunman was Korean American, I had some initial fears of racial backlash. As a proud citizen of this country, I do not believe there will be any overt backlash. It would be nonsensical for people to associate the heinous crime to Koreans or Korean Americans simply because of Seung-Hui Cho's ethnicity. In that same vein, it would have been preposterous and unjust for us to place blame on African Americans for the actions of John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo in the Beltway Sniper attacks of 2002 or to ask white Americans to share blame with Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma City bombings of 1995. But in the days after the identity of the gunman was revealed, many in the media and larger culture may have been perplexed by the responses of Koreans and Korean Americans. Many Koreans expressed embarrassment, shame and even guilt. State Sen. Paul Shinn fought back his tears as he apologized to fellow lawmakers. Even despite being reassured by others that an apology was not necessary, he continued. Although I personally don't feel the need to directly apologize for the actions of Seung-Hui Cho, I understand why Shinn and others feel the need to do so. Although not apologetic, I share in deep pain, embarrassment and shame. I share in the deep pain because when I see images of this young man, I don't just see a "crazy Asian killer," I also see someone whose life story sounds very similar to mine. Such words as lonely, isolated and quiet were often used to describe my younger life as I struggled to fit in as an immigrant. I share in embarrassment and shame because I see Seung-Hui Cho as a part of my larger community. As Koreans or Korean Americans, we share not only similar life stories but also a communal bond. Contrary to perhaps the more "individualistic" worldview of Westerners, Koreans have a certain communal identity. One can contend that to be Korean is to be communal. No one is an island to themselves. For that reason, Koreans tend to rejoice and mourn on the successes and failures of fellow Koreans. We rejoice with individuals such as James Sun ("The Apprentice"), Michelle Wie (LPGA golfer), Yul Kwon ("Survivor: Cook's Island), Hines Ward (NFL player) and Yunjin Kim (ABC's "Lost"). And because we are a communal culture — not only as Koreans but also within our Korean American immigrant experience — we mourn and feel deep pain and shame over Seung-Hui Cho. Last week, someone asked me "Why am I mourning? Is it because of the one or the 32″? For me, and many Korean Americans, the answer is both. We are mourning because of the 33. We are mourning because great pain and harm have been inflicted upon the lives of 32 individuals and their loved ones — each one with beautiful lives, stories, dreams and futures. We are mourning because the one, Seung-Hui Cho — a part of us — chose to commit a horrible act of violence and devastation. Last week, my wife and I have broken down in tears in random situations. We cry and pray for the 32, their families, the students and community at Blacksburg, but also cry for Seung-Hui Cho and his family. We cry because in him, we see a younger brother. And so, we grieve for the 33. Although I know that it is not necessary to apologize, I do want to share these words. On behalf of Koreans and Korean Americans, I want to extend our deepest condolences and love to all the families of those affected by the tragedy at Virginia Tech. It is my sincere hope and prayer — that no matter who or what we are — we grow to understand we are all connected to one another. The Rev. Eugene Cho is lead pastor at Quest Church, a multiethnic church in Seattle (seattlequest.org);(eugenecho.wordpress.com). May each of us take to heart the ministry of reconciliation, the pursuit of justice for the oppressed and 'other' and be peacemakers. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 -- Archived with permission of the author. Original Source: Beauty and Depravity | eugene cho's blog [eugenecho.com] http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2007/04/24/seattle-pi-column/
reflections on virginia tech - 2 months later
Beauty and Depravity | eugene cho's blog [eugenecho.com] weeks have now passed. perhaps, it's become an afterthought for many. personally, a day hasn't gone by without some thoughts of the virginia tech tragedy. the tragedy exposed a great deal - it exposed what we all already know: we live in a broken and fallen word. it was never meant to be like this. i say that not for it to be an easy exit or answer but to illuminate the deep nature of jesus' redemptive live, death, and resurrection. it also exposed the reality that "race matters" and that race is something the human collective will never fully understand, grasp, and elevate. in addition, i was exposed. one poorly written post attracted about 16,000 hits in a span of two days. it wasn't the kind of notoriety i was hoping for but this blog became one of the most visited wordpress blogs during that span. local papers called [eventually had a chance to write a guest column for the seattle pi]. churchgoers called. friends around the country emailed. and like many, i found myself glued to the TV until i had to just pull the plug. because of the high traffic through the blog, i received my share of some interesting emails - those that were thought provoking and those that were downright scary. i sort of freaked out because of some of the emails which prompted me to go through the blog and delete all pics of the family and kids. it also exposed my depravity. this was a snapshot of the progression of some of my thoughts: "wow, how could this have happened? what a tragedy. i must pray for these folks." "what? they think an asian man did it? that's impossible. asians don't do stuff like that. but just in case, i hope it's not a korean person." s#@t. it is a korean person. why do the news keep insisting he's a foreigner?!? there's going to be backlash. do i send my kids to school today? as i shared in the message i taught at my church the sunday after the shootings, amidst many things, the incident exposed my self-centeredness. while i do still believe the concerns i raised are legitimate and important conversations, it's so easy to park your thoughts on the SELF. the truth is i am a selfish, self-centered, wicked, and depraved man. thank God for his mercy and grace. only through Him can i see hints of the beauty i was intended to embody. anyway, i ran across this article from christianity today entitled, "nightmare of nightmares: virginia tech's korean christians wrestle with the aftermath of a massacre," and was particularly intrigued by the following quote: In the meantime, Korean Americans continue to grapple with the massacre. Korean Baptist's Chung quotes Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who wrote, "The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being." Kang said the fundamental issue is the problem of evil. "We ask, 'Why does God allow these things to happen?'" he said, "rather than seeing this as the natural consequences of sinful society that Christ came to redeem. "Western Christians struggle to make meaning of what happens in America because we're insulated. It's a dying and degenerate world. We're [experiencing] the consequences of sin." [read full article] april 16, 2007...it's been nearly two months. how are you processing the events of virginia tech? any thoughts on the article or the quote above? This entry was posted on Thursday, June 7th, 2007 -- Archived with permission of the author. Original Source: http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2007/06/07/reflections-on-virginia-tech-and-new-article/
By: Eugene Wang Posted: 4/20/07 Executive Vice President Tallman Trask spoke about Duke's emergency response system and Jo Rae Wright, dean of the Graduate School, reported on the future of the school at the Academic Council's meeting Thursday. Paul Haagen, chair of the council and professor of law, said he asked Trask to speak about Duke's preparation for "extraordinary safety-related events," in light of the massacre at Virginia Tech Monday. Duke has the plans, equipment and notification systems in place to respond to emergencies, Trask said. He added, however, that a response system alone may not have been able to prevent the tragedy. "In the current circumstances, I can assure you we have taken all prudent preparatory steps to deal with the circumstances," Trask said. He added it is impossible for the University to notify everyone instantly in the case of an emergency. "We don't know of any communication systems that can get a message to 27,000 people in three minutes," Trask said. He also noted that although the electronic door locks can be instantly disabled, there is no way of instantaneously restricting entry to Duke's campus. "We don't even control access to our campus... there are almost 20 different roads anyone could ride down to get into Duke," Trask said. Some members asked why no mass message was sent to the students and their parents after the massacre at Virginia Tech. "We deliberately decided not to send a message to all parents... because none of us really know what to say, none of us know the facts," Trask said. Council members also discussed if Counseling and Psychological Services has the capacity and strategies to deal with students' mental health issues. "We need to be clearer in instructions about what faculty can and cannot do," Trask said. The council also listened to a presentation by Wright on the "strategic plan" for the Graduate School and the state of the school's finances. She said her goals for the future are like a "three-legged stool"-to recruit, retain and train the "best and most successful students." She said the school must improve its financial support packages, including health insurance, stipends and summer research awards, if it hopes to attract talented graduate students. "Having outstanding graduate students is critical to getting outstanding faculty," Wright said. "If we aren't willing to make that commitment as an institution, then we're in the wrong business." She said her priorities for the Graduate School next year include recruiting underrepresented minorities, planning the Graduate Student Center and evaluating teaching assistant training programs. Wright added, however, that the funds to implement these priorities are still uncertain. -- Original Source: Duke Chronicle - April 20, 2007
By Evan Cohen PUBLISHED APRIL 26, 2007 Eleven years ago, I played in a band that rehearsed in a basement downtown. On one side of the basement was an illegal two-bedroom apartment that the landlord slapped together with drywall. My friend Matt lived there with a roommate. I didn't know anything about the roommate other than that he was black. One afternoon, my bandmate, George, and I went down to rehearsal early and checked in on Matt. We were in his room talking about the then non-hit TV show, Homeboys in Outer Space. George was saying that it was a low rent rip-off of the Britcom, Red Dwarf. I chimed in with "It's more like Red Nigger!" Matt hissed at me, "My roommate's home, stupid!" Oh shit. I was going to die. I never felt so low in all my life. I began to shake, and clenched my suddenly churning bowels to keep them from releasing. "Oh my god, he's gonna kill me!" "Relax," George said. We heard our drummer Michael walking down the basement steps. Matt opened the door and I walked out as quickly as possible. I didn't see the roommate. Thank god. Hopefully he didn't hear anything. We played for two hours and I almost forgot the sickening feeling in my gut. As we were packing up our equipment, George said, "You have to apologize." "What?" "You have to apologize to Matt's roommate." "But maybe he didn't even hear me say it!" I pleaded. "Like, what if he didn't hear anything and then it makes it look ten times worse!" "You have to apologize." Oh shit. I slowly walked across the basement to the apartment, wondering if I'd soon have any teeth left. I knocked on the door, hoping that he was gone. The roommate opened up the door. "Yes?" "Hi. I just... well... I want to apologize for something I said earlier in Matt's room, and I just want to let you know that I'm sorry if you may have been offended." "Okay," he said, and shut the door. I then ran upstairs and out of the building. Matt didn't talk to me for a long time after that. He would eventually tell me that relations with his roommate from then on were pretty awkward. We continued to rehearse there, but I never saw the roommate again. So what did I learn? When I think about this incident, I still feel uncomfortable. Had Matt's roommate not been home, or even existed, it wouldn't have been an issue. It would have been just another comment. The difference was that I got caught, and all things considered, I got off pretty easy. I think that, worst of all, what I said wasn't even funny. If you think I'm going to say that I learned my lesson and don't use language like that anymore, you're wrong. I still use "inappropriate" language, so much so that when the same word was symbolically banned by the NYC city council, I got half a dozen e-mails from friends saying, "So what are you going to do now?" But I know when to say certain things and when not to (when I don't forget, of course). I know context. I don't speak the same way to my professors as I do to my friends, but I don't believe that certain words should "belong" to certain groups and not others. Language and humor shouldn't have limits. What's key here is the intent behind the words, and more so, behind actions. Words were big news recently. For two weeks, pundits brimming with self-righteous indignation discussed whether Don Imus was within his bounds to refer to the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos." His defenders said that he was paid to be inappropriate and was just earning his paycheck, but he was ultimately fired. On the afternoon of Monday, April 16, while the cable news channels were reporting the increasingly unbelievable details of the Virginia Tech massacre, Oprah was airing the first of a two-part town hall show all about Don Imus and the pain words can cause. I tuned in for about two minutes and it all seemed so silly. What caused more harm, three words on a radio show, or a mentally disturbed college student armed with two legally purchased firearms? Before the shootings in Blacksburg occurred, Matee Ajavon of the Rutgers team said, "This has scarred me for life." I think there are 33 families who would take issue with that statement, not to mention the survivors who will suffer physical and psychological trauma for years to come. We're quick to jump on people who say the "wrong" thing, whether it's Michael Richards' meltdown in a comedy club, or Joe Biden referring to Barack Obama as "clean." But does calling them out solve the problem? There are local politicians and police officials all over this country who would never use those words in public but who harbor true hatred. I'd be more worried about their abuses of power than what I heard on the radio. So the next time you hear something that rubs you the wrong way, stop and think. Who's saying it, and what's the context? What was the real intent? Who is it really hurting, and what how does that hurt fit into the greater scheme of things? Words are just that, words. Actions cause real damage, but actions can also heal. Choose your action. -- Original Source: Columbia Spectator http://www.columbiaspectator.com/node/25087
EMS director outlines city's disaster-response system By: Evelyn Ratigan Posted: 4/20/07 As the efficiency of the emergency response system at Virginia Tech faces scrutiny, with critics saying the school was slow to notify its members of the attacks in which 32 people were killed on campus Monday, Boston's expert on emergency response systems said the city is prepared for a large-scale disaster. Boston Emergency Medical Services Chief Richard Serino, detailing the city's strategy to a group of about 20 yesterday at Harvard University, said the city is focused on improving communication within departments and with the community. "Everybody has to be involved in all the various parts of this," Serino said. "Communication is a huge issue. You don't want to be exchanging business cards at the scene of the disaster." Serino cited Boston's historic landmarks, dense population and subway system as factors that make the city a top terrorist target. He said the city has been aware of this and has spent more than 25 years revising tactics in case of an emergency. "Emergency preparedness is not something new for us," he said. "It's not just something we've been looking at since 9-11." Serino said the key to emergency preparedness is encouraging partnerships among the city's departments and private businesses, as well as the public services involved in the process. This collaboration has become "institutionalized" from years spent building these relationships, he said. The BEMS constantly works with the Boston police and fire departments, the MBTA and other state and local agencies, he said. In addition, hospitals sharing staff members and enhanced radio communication systems linking state and local agencies coordinate first responders who would otherwise remain disconnected, he added. Serino said high-profile events such as the Democratic National Convention in 2004 and the Boston Marathon are used to practice for emergencies, calling them "planned disasters." Monday's marathon, for example, allowed the BEMS to test its hospital tracking system to notify the families of the more than 500 runners hospitalized for exhaustion. "In an emergency, one of the key things is communication with the injured," he said. "I think that we have to communicate whatever it is to the general public as well." BEMS technicians also coordinate drills, including a recently staged evacuation on the MBTA's Red Line and a larger disaster simulation planned for this fall, he said. Addressing the January bomb scare spurred by suspicious packages used in a Turner Broadcasting advertising campaign gone awry, Serino defended the city's reaction, which some called excessive. "It wasn't just [circuit boards] scattered throughout the city," he said. "There were a lot of things that happened that day that a lot of people don't know." Two devices resembling pipe bombs in Boston and an explosion on a bus in Washington, D.C. the same day had put Boston authorities on high alert, Serino said, adding the city and state agencies' quick and unified reaction proved the emergency response system's effectiveness. Maj. Patti Pettis, a weapons of mass destruction specialist from Atlanta, said she approves of Boston's constant scrutiny of its emergency response plans. "The program will help find where the resources are and where the gaps are," she said. Pettis said the public must understand the city's elaborate emergency response plans to be better prepared in the event of a disaster. "It's up to the local community to be prepared," she said. "[At first], they're going to be on their own." Pettis cited the Virginia Tech shootings as an example of failed communication Boston must avoid, and she said it is vital for first responders to inform the public of emergency situations to put them at ease and avoid mass panic. "Communication makes all the difference," she said. "If everyone works together, you'll leave no gaps." -- Original Source:The Daily Free Press - April 20, 2007
Profesorul Liviu Librescu, romanul erou al Americii, impuscat mortal intr-un amfiteatru al Universitatii Virginia Tech din SUA in timp ce incerca sa-si salveze studentii din fata atacatorului sud-coreean, a copilarit la Focsani, unde a trait din plin ororile antisemite. Aici locuiau bunicii lui din partea mamei, aici a avut domiciliul fortat tatal sau inainte de a fi trimis in lagarele de exterminare din Transnistria si tot aici a cunoscut-o pe sotia lui, Marilena Semian, fiica unui stomatolog cunoscut in acele timpuri, cu care s-a casatorit in 1968. Sotia, medic de profesie, a urmat liceul de fete din Focsani. Ulterior si-a urmat sotul in Israel si mai apoi in Blacksburg - SUA. Prigonit de legionari si de comunisti Profesorul Liviu Librescu se numara printre cei care, inainte de 1989, au cerut Institutului Yad Vashem din Israel, memorialul dedicat celor sase milioane de evrei omorati in timpul Holocaustului, decorarea Reginei-mama Elena cu titlul de „Drept intre popoare". In corespondenta electronica purtata cu corespondentul EVZ in Vrancea, profesorul isi amintea de prigoana impotriva evreilor. „Au fost ani de suferinta, cand tatii nostri, al meu si al sotiei mele, au avut domiciliul fortat. Tatal meu a fost deportat de aici in Transnistria dupa ce a lucrat o vreme in munti, la Soveja, intr-un batalion de munca", scria profesorul Liviu Librescu cu putin timp inainte de masacrul din Virginia. Cu toate amintirile neplacute, profesorul isi amintea cu placere de Focsani, orasul unde a urmat scoala israelita si mai apoi Colegiul Unirea. La 60 de ani de la Holocaust, profesorul Liviu Librescu si-a amintit de copilaria sa petrecuta intr-o atmosfera profund ostila evreimii. „In anii copilariei, inaintea inceperii razboiului, Focsaniul a constituit pentru mine orasul in care veneam cu parintii sa-mi vizitez bunica, Paulina Finkelstein, si familiile surorilor mamei mele. Impreuna cu parintii, Izidor si Mina Librescu, locuiam atunci la Ploiesti. Tatal meu era avocat, dar, din motive rasiale, in tot timpul razboiului a fost radiat din barou. Tatal meu a fost dus la lagarul de la Teius. Dupa desfiintarea acestuia, a fost trimis cu domiciliul fortat la Focsani. In 1942, ne-am mutat la Focsani pentru a ne reuni cu tata, dar vremurile potrivnice au facut ca el sa fie luat la munca obligatorie, dupa care a fost deportat in Transnistria. Dupa razboi s-a intors cu sanatatea mult subrezita si cu moralul foarte scazut. Tata a reintrat in barou, dar in anul 1948, cand regimul comunist s-a instaurat la putere, a fost din nou radiat pentru motivul ca s-a opus „democratizarii baroului"", spunea profesorul Librescu. Fortat sa demisioneze In ciuda pericolelor si a greutatilor intampinate de familia sa, Liviu Librescu a urmat Politehnica la Bucuresti, Sectia de aviatie. A ajuns un nume important, dar a trebuit sa renunte la tot ca sa poata pleca in Tara Sfanta. „Pentru a-mi putea depune actele de emigrare in Israel a trebuit, in anul 1975, sa-mi dau demisia si am fost fortat sa stau trei ani fara lucru", le-a dezvaluit profesorul prietenilor sai din Focsani. „In Israel am fost atestat profesor la Tel Aviv University. In 1985 am plecat la Virginia Polytechnic Institute in SUA. De atunci, lucrez aici, ca profesor la Engineering Sciens and Mecanics Department, si imi place foarte mult munca mea", a continuat profesorul. Liviu Librescu a fost coleg de scoala, la Focsani, cu Zvi Ben Dov, fost director in cadrul Aeroportului International „Ben Gurion" din Tel Aviv, actualmente director general al organizatiei A.M.I.R. „Important e sa nu ne uitam trecutul" „Pe Liviu Librescu il pretuiam mult si eu, si sotia mea Edna. De Paste i-am trimis felicitari si mi-a raspuns cu multa amabilitate. I-am scris ca plecam la Focsani sa vizitam orasul copilariei noastre si l-am invitat sa vina cu noi intr-o excursie de suflet. Liviu mi-a raspuns ca, din pacate, nu poate sa fie cu noi pentru ca era implicat in unele proiecte la universitate, desi i-ar fi placut sa revada locurile copilariei. Mi-a spus ca este important sa nu ne uitam trecutul", ne-a spus Zvi Ben Dov. El a adaugat ca profesorul va fi inmormantat in Israel. EROU NATIONAL Si-a salvat toti studentii! Moartea tragica a profesorului Liviu Librescu a fost deplansa ieri de presa internationala, de studentii de la Virginia Tech, de profesori, si nu in ultimul rand de rudele sale. Eroismul dascalului de 76 de ani, care si-a salvat intreaga clasa, a fost evocat in declaratiile oficiale facute ieri de reprezentantii universitatii americane. Librescu a murit blocand usa clasei cu trupul sau, timp in care toti studentii au sarit de la fereastra salii de curs situata la etajul al doilea al cladirii. Unul dintre cei doi fii ai sai, Joe Librescu, a povestit pentru postul american de televiziune CNN ca este mandru de gestul eroic al tatalui sau. „Era unic in mai multe privinte. Se considera un fel de ambasador al Israelului in aceasta parte a lumii", a declarat Joe Librescu. STEAUA ROMANIEI Decorat post-mortem Presedintele Traian Basescu l-a decorat ieri, post-mortem, pe profesorul Liviu Librescu. Seful statului i-a acordat ordinul National Steaua Romaniei in grad de Mare Cruce. Potrivit unui comunicat al presedintiei, decoratia i-a fost acordata „in semn de inalta apreciere si recunostinta pentru intreaga activitate stiintifica si pentru eroismul dovedit in timpul tragicelor evenimente de la Virginia Polytechnic Institute". (Laura Gafencu) Neadaptat la societate Asasinul, un solitar incarcat de ura Autorul masacrului de la Universitatea Virginia Tech, soldat cu 32 de morti, a fost identificat, insa personalitatea sa si motivele ce l-au impins la aceasta crima oribila raman invaluite in mister. Principalul obstacol in calea realizarii unui portret cat mai exact il reprezinta faptul ca era un tip solitar, fara prieteni care sa poata povesti despre el. In opinia expertilor, cei mai multi criminali in serie sunt insi singuratici, cu dificultati de adaptare la societate. Criminalul din Virginia, Cho Seung-hui (23 de ani), un sud-coreean emigrat in SUA impreuna cu parintii, la varsta de 8 ani, era o enigma pentru colegii sai. Nu vorbea cu nimeni, lua masa singur la cantina si respingea orice tentativa din partea celorlalti studenti de a se imprieteni. Un coleg a povestit ca, in urma cu un an, la inceputul unui nou curs de literatura engleza, Cho a fost singurul care nu si-a trecut numele pe lista, punand in loc un semn de intrebare. Profesorul chiar l-a intrebat: „Semn de intrebare e numele tau?". „Nu se apropia de nimeni. Nu vorbea niciodata", a povestit studenta Julie Poole. Mai mult, tanarul cu care impartea camera de camin, Joe Aust, a relatat ca abandonase de mult orice incercare de a se apropia de Cho. Nu-si spuneau nici macar „buna dimineata". La fel s-a intamplat si in dimineata crimelor. Cand s-a trezit, Aust l-a vazut pe Cho deja la calculator, poate punand la punct ultimele amanunte ale planului sau dement. Nu si-au spus o vorba. In mod ironic, in momentul in care a patruns in cladirea Norris Hall, unde a ucis 30 de studenti, Cho si-a salutat victimele: „Buna, ce mai faceti?". Gelos pe copiii de bani gata Biletul conceput de Cho Seung-hui in dimineata masacrului lasa sa se intrevada ura pe care o nutrea fata de colegii sai. In mesajul de adio, criminalul are cuvinte dure la adresa celor pe care ii numeste „copii de bani gata" sau „sarlatani". El denunta, de asemenea, dezmatul care domneste in campus. Ura lui Cho fata de colegii mai instariti este explicabila, in conditiile in care provenea dintr-o familie modesta. Inainte de a emigra in SUA, parintii sai duceau o existenta destul de grea, intr-o periferie a capitalei sud-coreene, Seul. In America, parintii au reusit sa cumpere o spalatorie ecologica si sa duca o existenta decenta, fara a-i putea insa oferi fiului cine stie ce. Potrivit presei de la Seul, care urmareste cu mare interes drama din SUA, parintii criminalului sunt internati, in stare de soc. Ei ar fi incercat sa se sinucida dupa aflarea teribilei vesti, tatal taindu-si venele, in timp ce mama a baut o substanta toxica. Obsedat de violenta Colegii si profesorii avusesera de-a lungul ultimilor ani suficiente semnale ca tanarul sud-coreean este ciudat. In 2005, sefa departamentului de creatie literara, Lucinda Roy, a atras atentia conducerii facultatii de engleza ca Cho Seung-hui este un tip cu probleme. Acest lucru era evident din lectura a doua texte scrise de baiat, ce dezvaluie obsesia pentru violenta si furia ce-l macinau. Unul din texte a fost publicat pe internet. „Richard McBeef" este o piesa intr-un act despre un baiat de 13 ani care isi acuza tatal vitreg, aparent fara motiv, de pedofilie si de asasinarea tatalui sau natural. Dincolo de lipsa evidenta de talent, piesa socheaza prin limbajul violent al copilului, care planuieste sa-l omoare pe tatal vitreg cu o drujba. In celalalt text scris de Cho este vorba despre trei elevi hartuiti de un profesor. „Atunci cand citeam piesele lui Cho era ca un cosmar. Piesele erau pline de o violenta macabra si faceau referire la arme la care eu unul nu m-as fi gandit", spune colegul sau Ian McFarlane. GELOZIE Scanteia care a aprins fitilul Problemele sentimentale sau, mai degraba, lipsa lor par sa fi jucat si ele un rol important in drama ce a indoliat America. Prima victima a lui Cho Seung-hui a fost Emily Hilscher, o bruneta cu ochi albastri in varsta de 18 ani. Potrivit martorilor oculari ai primului act al dramei, Cho s-a dus la 7.00 dimineata in caminul unde statea Emily. Cei doi s-au certat, in scandal intervenind un alt student, presupus a fi iubitul actual al fetei. Cho i-a impuscat pe amandoi. Nu s-a stabilit cu certitudine daca el avusese o legatura sentimentala cu fata. Politia a declansat urmarirea unui alt fost iubit al lui Emily. In momentul in care il interogau pe respectiv, politistii au fost informati ca in campusul universitar se trage din nou. (Jacqueline Prager) Reteta masacrelor O traditie a violentei si arme la indemana Marginalizarea sociala, problemele legate de virilitate, violenta glorificata de productiile cinematografice sau de televiziune si usurinta de a procura arme ar putea fi, potrivit sociologilor, ingredientele care au condus la masacrul de la Universitatea Virginia Tech. „Nu trebuie sa atribuim aceste crime doar problemelor mentale ale unui individ, ci sa ne concentram asupra ansamblului de factori socio-culturali ce joaca un rol in acest tip de violenta", spune sociologul Joseph Gasper, citat de AFP. Acesta subliniaza usurinta extraordinara cu care orice american isi poate procura o arma. El ii da ca exemplu pe cei doi liceeni care au comis in 1999 masacrul de la Liceul Columbine, din Colorado, care gasisera armele in propriile lor case. „Nu cred ca o sa putem vedea vreodata strazile Americii fara arme, astfel ca e important sa ne concentram asupra factorilor psihologici si sociologici daca vrem sa intelegem si sa prevenim fenomenul." Un articol de Silvia Vranceanu, Andreea Romanovschi Integral in Romania libera Evenimentul Zilei, 19 apr 2007 -- Sursa Originala: http://www.hotnews.ro/articol_70182-Viata-de-roman-a-eroului-din-SUA.htm
Cristian Pantazi (cristian.pantazi@hotnews.ro)
18 Aprilie 2007 Livia Cimpoeru, Eugenia Mihalcea Masacrul produs luni la Universitatea americana Virginia Tech din Blacksburg ar fi putut avea un bilant si mai tragic daca nu ar fi existat oameni ca Liviu Librescu. America retraieste in aceste zile cosmarul masacrelor lipsite de orice ratiune. Pe harta ororilor s-a adaugat luni universitatea tehnica din orasul Blacksburg, unde un tanar student a omorat 32 de persoane, inainte de a-si pune capat zilelor. Printre personajele centrale ale tragediei de la Virginia Tech se numara si un profesor de origine romana care a reusit, cu pretul vietii, sa salveze o parte dintre studenti. In dimineata fatidica, in sala 207 a cladirii Norris Hall, se desfasura un curs de germana. Cateva incaperi mai departe, profesorul Liviu Librescu, un reputat om de stiinta nascut in Romania, le preda studentilor. „Era o atmosfera cat se poate de normala", povesteste Richard Mallalieu, student al profesorului Librescu. Ultima ora a profesorului Librescu Brusc, in jurul orei 9.00, atacatorul intra in sala 207 inarmat cu doua pistoale si-l impusca pe profesorul Christopher Bishop in cap. Apoi incepe sa traga inspre cei circa 25 de studenti aflati in clasa. „Cel putin 30 de focuri", isi aminteste studentul Trey Perkins. Doar trei-patru studenti au supravietuit. Criminalul a iesit pe hol, unde a dat peste un ingrijitor care incerca sa ajute o fata ce zacea intr-o balta de sange. A tras de cinci ori asupra ingrijitorului si s-a intors spre 207, insa supravietuitorii blocasera usa. Atunci s-a indreptat spre sala 204, unde studentii urmareau o expunere de imagini a profesorului Librescu. Auzind focurile de arma din incaperea alaturata, studentii au intrat in panica. Profesorul Librescu s-a repezit la usa, incercand sa o blocheze. Curajul sau a salvat probabil mai multe vieti, caci, in timp ce el tinea usa, o parte dintre studenti au sarit pe ferestre. Vieti salvate cu pretul vietii Alec Calhoun, un alt tanar care participa la cursul de ieri al profesorului Librescu, isi aminteste cum, intr-o ultima secunda, inainte de a sari pe geamul salii de curs pentru a-si salva viata, a privit inapoi catre dascalul care tinea usa blocata cu propriul trup. Cu doar o ora inainte, sotia profesorului il adusese pe Librescu la universitate cu masina si il lasase in siguranta in campus, dupa cum noteaza publicatia israeliana „Ynetnews". Liviu Librescu locuia in SUA impreuna cu sotia sa, Marilena. Profesorul evreu de origine romana va fi ingropat in Israel, dupa cum a declarat pentru „Ynetnews" nora lui Liviu Librescu, Ayala. Aceasta a precizat ca sotia dascalului, Marilena, si fii Arieh si Joe, care traiesc in Israel, fac deja pregatirile pentru inmormantare. Ziarele israeliene au scris despre tragedia din Virginia, avand in prim-plan imaginea eroului evreu Liviu Librescu, care si-a pierdut viata chiar in ziua comemorarii Holocaustului. Si in Romania, profesorul nascut la Ploiesti este perceput ca un erou. UN PRIBEAG IMPLINIT Indragostit de scoala la care preda Profesorul evreu de origine romana Liviu Librescu a absolvit Facultatea de Inginerie Aerospatiala in cadrul Universitatii Politehnica din Bucuresti (UPB), in 1952. Si-a terminat studiile doctorale la aceeasi institutie de invatamant superior, iar apoi a lucrat pe functia de cercetator la Institutul de Mecanica a Fluidelor din cadrul Academiei de Stiinte. „In 1969 si-a sustinut teza de doctorat sub conducerea academicianului Carafoli. A facut calculele de rezistenta si de aeroelasticitate pentru proiectarea avioanelor IAR 93", explica prodecanul Serban Tomescu, fost coleg al romanului ucis in masacrul de la universitatea americana. Serban Tomescu spune ca a incercat inca de luni seara sa afle ce s-a intamplat cu prietenul sau din tinerete. Din pacate, nu i-a raspuns nimeni la telefon in Statele Unite. Ieri, dupa aflarea tristei vesti, ultimele fotografii facute impreuna cu Liviu Librescu si o scrisoare primita de la acesta in anul 2000 il fac sa depene amintiri. Imaginile sunt din acelasi an, 2000, atunci cand Universitatea Politehnica i-a acordat dascalului roman titlul Doctor Honoris Causa. „Mi-a cerut dupa eveniment sa merg cu el la mormantul parintilor sai din Ploiesti, dar pana la urma a spus ca merge singur", povesteste profesorul Tomescu. Tara de suflet si cea de adoptie Liviu Librescu a parasit Romania in 1978, desi Nicolae Ceausescu nu voia sa piarda un cercetator valoros. Supravietuitor al Holocaustului, profesorul de origine romana a reusit pana la urma sa ajunga in tara sa de suflet, Israel, cu ajutorul premierului israelian de la acea vreme, Menachem Begin. Librescu a fost profesor in cadrul Universitatii Tel-Aviv din Israel pana in 1984, cand a emigrat in tara tuturor posibilitatilor, America. Aici si-a implinit visul de a preda la una dintre cele mai prestigioase universitati din lume in domeniul ingineriei, Virginia Tech. Unul dintre fii sai, Joe, rezident in Statele Unite, povesteste pentru publicatia israeliana „Ynetnews" ca parintii sai duceau o viata simpla si fericita in vestul Virginiei, intr-o zona situata intre dealuri si munti. Fara sa caute castiguri materiale imense, profesorul Librescu era indragostit de scoala la care preda si ceea ce ii placea cel mai mult era sa-si invete studentii stiinte mecanice si aeronautica, spune fiul sau. „Profesorul Librescu s-a comportat intr-un mod exemplar in fata dezastrului. A tinut usa sa nu patrunda criminalul in clasa si a fost ucis prin aceasta de rafala de gloante", spune rectorul UPB, Ecaterina Andronescu. Universitatea Politehnica din Capitala si Universitatea Virginia Tech sunt, de ieri, in doliu. (Eugenia Mihalcea) Timisoara „Incerca sa faca o presiune stiintifica" Liviu Librescu a colaborat ani intregi cu profesori de la Facultatea de Mecanica din Timisoara, care sunt socati de veste. „Imediat ce am vazut stirile din Virginia, i-am trimis un e-mail in care il rugam sa-mi transmita noutati despre dumnealui. Nu stiam ca e unul dintre decedati. Nu puteam sa-mi imaginez ca putea sa se intample asa ceva acolo. Era o atmosfera deosebita, oamenii nici nu-si incuiau usile la case, toti se cunosteau intre ei, toti se salutau", spune profesorul Pantele Chelu de la Facultatea de Mecanica din Timisoara. „Era un om deosebit, politicos, incerca sa faca o presiune stintifica, dar intr-un mod extraordinar de politicos", adauga profesorul. „Stia sa puna intotdeauna intr-un mod deosebit problemele din mecanica vibratiilor, dar si probleme de impact al vehiculelor cosmice cu alte corpuri,", spune si Liviu Beledeu, profesor la aceeasi facultate. (Nicoleta Chiru) SOLIDARITATE „Romanii din Virginia, mai uniti dupa masacru" Romanii din Blacksburg, Virginia, au ramas uimiti de ceea ce s-a intamplat. Chiar daca nu l-au cunoscut pe profesorul Liviu Librescu, unii dintre ei au inceput sa intre in contact dupa evenimente, socati de tragedie. Alexandru Papoiu locuieste la 90 de minute de mers cu masina de Blacksburg. El a inceput sa-i caute pe romanii din zona prin internet, dupa ce a aflat ce s-a intamplat. „Sunt consternat! Sunt afectat ca un profesor de origine romana a cazut intr-un asemenea incident. Pe strada am aflat ce se petrece, pentru ca autoritatile sunt foarte precaute la ce informatii dau. Ce sa va mai spun, oamenii sunt siderati", povesteste Alexandru. Marius Popescu, doctorand la universitate, se indrepta spre campus in momentul atacului. „Eu am ajuns cu masina pe langa campus la ora 12.30. De fapt, nici nu am putut sa intru, ca strazile erau blocate. Nu stiam ce se petrece. Abia apoi am aflat. Toata lumea de aici e in soc si nimeni nu intelege cum de s-a putut intampla asa ceva", spune el. „Anul asta scolar a fost foarte ciudat" Acum, universitatea este inchisa, campusul este gol. „Lucrul este atat de surprinzator. Orasul asta e foarte mic si linistit. Majoritatea oamenilor de aici lucreaza la universitate", arata Marius Popescu. Pana la momentul tragediei, unul dintre atuurile Universitatii din Virginia era tocmai linistea ce domnea aici. Oficialii institutiei foloseau asta ca sa atraga candidati. „Numai ca anul asta scolar a fost foarte ciudat. Au fost mai multe atacuri prin tara. Nu sunt eu foarte familiar cu metodele de consiliere in universitatile americane, dar stiu ca ei se preocupa cu asta, au un centru pentru cei cu probleme si care au nevoie de sfaturi", arata Marius Popescu. Romanca Denisa O. se afla in campus in momentul atacului, intr-un corp opus celor in care s-a tras. A apucat sa vada cum vin ambulantele si politia. Spune ca va participa la marsul ce va avea loc in amintirea celor care si-au pierdut viata. „Eu nu cunosc pe nimeni din comunitatea romaneasca de aici. Dar faptul ca un profesor roman si-a pierdut viata este cu atat mai socant", spune ea. (Andrei Udisteanu) Marturii Cosmar trait cu ochii deschisi Sub efectul socului si al durerii de a-si fi vazut colegii omorati cu sange rece sub ochii lor, unii supravietuitori au mai avut puterea sa relateze presei cosmarul prin care au trecut. (Livia Cimpoeru) „Toti s-au aruncat la podea cand a inceput sa traga. Atacatorul era foarte serios si avea o mina calma." (Richard Mallalieu) „A avansat un metru si a inceput sa traga. Avea un aer foarte hotarat si a reusit sa-i impuste aproape pe toti. Eu am scapat pre-facandu-ma ca sunt moarta. Am vazut gloantele cum intra in trupuri. Era sange peste tot. Unii lesinasera, probabil din cauza socului sau de durere. Am fost una dintre cei doar patru care au scapat." (Erin Sheehan) „In prima instanta, nu ne-am dat seama ce se intampla, se auzeau ca zgomotele de la lucrarile de constructii. Apoi am auzit o succesiune de focuri, probabil vreo 50 in total. La un moment dat am auzit tipetele celor care fugeau si ni s-a facut frica, intrebandu-ne ce se intampla. Am asteptat infricosati, cu gandul ca o sa ajunga si la noi." (Tiffany Ottey) Filmul evenimentelor Studentii, coordonati prin e-mail ora 7.15, ora locala: politia este chemata la West Ambler Johnston Hall, un camin din campusul de la Virginia Tech. Un barbat si o femeie fusesera impuscati mortal ora 7.30: doi raniti sunt transportati la Spitalul regional Montgomery ora 8.00: ora de incepere a cursurilor. Crezand ca atacatorul a parasit campusul, politia decide sa trateze evenimentul ca pe un incident izolat ora 9.26: administratia anunta studentii prin e-mail ca in incinta institutiei s-au tras focuri de arma si ii avertizeaza sa fie prudenti ora 9.30: studenti prezenti in cladirea Noris Hall suna la politie, anuntand ca s-a tras din nou. Un necunoscut intra din clasa in clasa, ucigand 30 de persoane, dupa care se sinucide ora 10.16: administratia trimite un e-mail prin care anunta ca toate cursurile au fost suspendate si cere studentilor din campus sa se incuie in camere ora 12.15: rectorul universitatii, Charles Steger, anunta intr-o conferinta de presa ca bilantul depaseste 20 de morti. Ulterior, numarul creste la 33 de morti, inclusiv atacatorul. Ancheta Autorul macelului, un student coreean Politia Universitatii Virginia Tech a anuntat, ieri, ca barbatul care a comis masacrul era un student sud-coreean, in varsta de 23 de ani, pe nume Cho Seung-Hui. Acesta avea statut de rezident permanent pe teritoriul american si era student in ultimul an la Facultatea de Limba si Literatura Engleza. Declaratia politiei a venit la scurt timp dupa ce rectorul universitatii, Charles Steger, a afirmat ca atacatorul era un student de orgine asiatica si locuia in campusul universitar. Potrivit CNN, Cho era un singuratic si, din acest motiv, autoritatile au gasit cu greu informatii despre el. Politia a anuntat ca rezultatele de la laborator au aratat ca una dintre cele doua arme gasite la Norris Hall a fost utilizata in ambele atacuri. Potrivit presei, este vorba despre un singur asasin, care dorea sa se razbune din pricina unui esec amoros. El a intrat inarmat in camera fostei sale iubite din caminul West Ambler Johnston Hall, care era in compania noului sau prieten - Ryan Clark, impuscandu-i mortal pe cei doi. (Andreea Romanovschi) Record trist Cel mai sangeros masacru din SUA Masacrul de la Virginia Tech este de departe cel mai sangeros din istoria SUA, plasandu-se pe un infam loc doi la scara mondiala. In 1996, un dezechilibrat mintal a deschis foc asupra trecatorilor din statiunea turistica Port Arthur, pe insula australiana Tasmania, ucigand 35 de oameni. Alte 34 de persoane au fost ranite. Cu 10 ani mai devreme, un alt dezechilibrat mintal a impuscat si a injunghiat mortal 29 de oameni, in capitala columbiana Bogota. In 1991, americanul George Hen-nard a intrat cu camioneta intr-un restaurant din Killeen (Texas), deschizand foc asupra mesenilor cu doua pistoale. A omorat 23 de oameni, dupa care s-a sinucis. Reactii Stupoare si revolta Presedintele american George W. Bush a ordonat, ieri, arborarea drapelelor in berna pana duminica seara. In calitate de reprezentanti ai intregii natiuni americane, seful Casei Albe si sotia sa, Laura, au participat, ieri, la Blacksburg, la comemorarea victimelor carnagiului. Studentii de la Virginia Tech sunt revoltati si nu pot sa inteleaga cum a putut fi comis un masacru de asemenea proportii. Unii dintre ei spun ca administratia institutiei scolare ia masuri tardive. Multi s-au plans ca nu au fost avertizati in timp util cu privire la primul incident petrecut in campus, primul e-mail fiind trimis abia la doua ore dupa atac. Un sud-coreean furios Biletul ucigasului: „Voi m-ati impins sa fac asta" Politia Universitatii Virginia Tech a anuntat ieri ca barbatul care a comis masacrul era un tanar sud-coreean, in varsta de 23 de ani, pe nume Cho Seung-Hui. Acesta avea statut de rezident permanent in SUA si era student in ultimul an la Facultatea de Limba si Literatura Engleza. Cho emigrase in SUA impreuna cu familia pe cand avea 8 ani. Studentul a lasat in camera sa de camin o lunga scrisoare in care isi exprima mania fata de „copiii de bani gata" si fata de desfraul din societatea americana. „Voi m-ati impins sa fac asta", mai scrie el. Politia a stabilit ca Cho Seung-Hui a comis primele doua crime din camin, s-a reintors in camera sa, unde a redactat scrisoarea, a reincarcat armele, dupa care s-a indreptat spre salile de curs. In rucsacul sau a fost gasita chitanta de la achizitionarea, pe 13 aprilie, a unui pistol Glock de 9 mm, alaturi de doua cutite si cutii de cartuse. Celalalt pistol gasit la locul macelului, de calibru 22, a fost cumparat de Cho tot cu cateva zile in urma. (Andreea Romanovschi) -- Sursa Originala:http://www.expres.ro/article.php?artid=301055
Virginia Tech professor 'died saving students'
Ewen MacAskill in Blacksburg Tuesday April 17, 2007 Guardian Unlimited Alec Calhoun, an engineering student at Virginia Tech, described today an individual act of bravery by one of his professors that saved his life. Mr Calhoun, 20, had been in Room 204 in the college's Norris hall taking a class in solid mechanics. "We heard what sounded like an enormous hammer. We though it was construction. The scream told us it was something else." The killer, having murdered two people two hours earlier, had started a shooting spree in the classroom next door. "I thought pretty early on that I was going to die. I started knocking desks over [to make a barricade]. Others were pulling the windows down. It is lucky someone thought of the windows." The class was on the second floor and the first students to jump were hurt. "I was the eighth to jump. I hung onto the ledge. I saw the professor. I think he was trying to hold the door closed. "I was the last one out that was not wounded. The two behind me were shot. I jumped onto a bush and fell onto my back. It was about a minute between hearing the shots and jumping out of the window." He said his professor had been killed. After reaching safety, he immediately phoned his father, James, a teacher, to tell them he was safe. Special report United States of America World news guide North American media Media New York Times Washington Post CNN Government US government portal White House Senate House of Representatives Copyright Guardian News & Media Ltd 2007 -- Original Source:http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2059205,00.html
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Ewen MacAskill Wednesday April 18, 2007 The Guardian A survivor of the Holocaust died trying to save his students from the Virginia Tech gunman, it emerged yesterday. Liviu Librescu, 76, who survived the Nazi killings, later escaped from communist Romania to become a respected aeronautics expert. "My father blocked the doorway with his body and asked the students to flee," his son, Joe Librescu, said from his home outside Tel Aviv. Student Alec Calhoun told the Guardian how Mr Librescu's bravery bought him precious seconds after the killer started shooting in the next room. "I thought I was going to die. I started to make a barricade of desks." Mr Calhoun went to jump out of the window. It was then he saw Mr Librescu. "I hung on to the ledge. The professor was trying to hold the door closed. I was the last one out that was not wounded." When he finally forced his way in, Mr Librescu threw himself in front of the attacker, a student told Israel's Army Radio. "He was killed but thanks to him his students lived," the student said. Messages were posted on the web praising the professor. "No act could be more selfless." one poster wrote. On Guardian Unlimited Full coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings Gun violence in the US Gun violence in Britain Full US coverage Related articles Virginia massacre gunman named Unofficial list of shooting victims emerges Massacre on campus Q&A: US gun laws World news guide North American Media Media CNN New York Times Washington Post Government Virginia state government portal US government portal White House Senate House of Representatives Copyright Guardian News & Media Ltd 2007. -- Original Source:http://www.guardian.co.uk/usguns/Story/0,,2059729,00.html
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Some Analysis of the Killings at Virginia Tech
April 17th, 2007 As a part of my Homicide Investigation class at George Washington University, my instructor has asked us to write a brief analysis of the killings that occurred at Virginia Tech on Monday. Even though I am only a student and haven't had the experience, statistically speaking, there are many things that are common when this type of crime occurs. I am in no way stating that any of the following is fact, it is just my interpretation of the events as based on my knowledge gained in my Homicide Investigation course. * * * It appears that the offender's motivation for the first shooting is domestic. There have been much speculation as to the offender's relationship with the female victim. Some feel that they may have been in a relationship or that Cho had feelings for the female victim. It is possible that his motivation to kill her was caused by Cho's apparent hatred for "spoiled, rich kids." Is it possible that Cho had feelings for the female and was rejected? Thus taking his hatred out on her? Based on the fact that Cho walked across campus (at least half a mile) to Norris Hall to commit his crimes shows he had been planning this. The killings at Norris were not spontaneous at all. Cho wanted to destroy what symbolized the high class that he felt such disdain for. Since he associated many, if not all, students at Virginia Tech as being in this class, he felt that everyone encountered could potentially be his victims. This murder seems most likely to be an authority murder. The perceived authority being the higher class. If Cho grew up in a middle or lower income family, then this could explain his problem with the higher class. Northern Virginia can have very large gaps in the income levels among families. Cho probably felt this gap during his time in school in Northern Virginia and this is what probably helped escalate his hatred. But the question remains of who was his primary target? Was it the first two victims? Or was his primary target someone in Norris Hall? Usually in an authority killing, the killing ends once the primary target is killed. Did Cho find his primary target in Norris Hall, then end his life? Weapon stockpiling and verbalization of hatred towards a particular authority is also common in this type of murder. It seems that Cho did both of these things by purchasing two semiautomatic handguns and writing disturbing poetry and plays in his creative writing classes. Cho probably had a history of mental illness, including isolation, paranoid behavior, etc. Cho's post offensive behavior did not seem to change at all. Especially since he shot two people, and calmly went back to his own dorm, then walked across campus to execute another batch of killings. Cho's history of being isolated and calm continues to his post-offensive behavior. This is probably why nothing was suspected of his behavior in between the two shooting incidents. -- Original Source: fallenposters / Do Not Cross (Blog) http://fallenposters.wordpress.com/2007/04/17/some-analysis-of-the-killings-at-virginia-tech/ This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0
Adjusting to Campus Crisis: What to Expect and How to Cope
(PDF, 3 pages, 144KB) Prepared by the Family Therapy Center at Virginia Tech
Fast Capitalism 3.1 - Special Issue on Virginia Tech
Fast Capitalism - Issue 3.1 - 2007 Special Issue on Virginia Tech To: Multiple Recipients: 'There is a Gunman on Campus' Timothy W. Luke Mediated Ritual on Academic Ground Neal King A Hokies' Lament: American Social Psychosis and the Virginia Tech Killings Stephen Pfohl All the Rage: Digital Bodies and Deadly Play in the Age of the Suicide Bomber Carolyn Guertin Demons, Miracles, and Spectacles: Guns in the Land of the Nacirema Steve Kroll-Smith and Gwen Hunnicutt Media Spectacle and the "Massacre at Virginia Tech" Douglas Kellner Baudrillard (1929-2007) & Mao: The History of Normal Violence Charles Lemert Colonization and Massacres: Virginia Tech and Jamestown Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz Cho, Not Che?: Positioning Blacksburg In the Political Ben Agger -- Original Source: Fast Capitalism http://www.uta.edu/huma/agger/fastcapitalism/3_1/home.html
By Felicia Daniels Sun Staff Writer Apr 19 2007 Brenda Scinto '87 was in her bedroom studying in 1983, when two freshman women, Young Hee Suh '87 and Erin Nieswand '87, were fatally shot in the room above her by 26-year-old Su Yong Kim. Scinto said she does not remember much about that year academically, but 26 years later, she remembers everything about that particular Saturday night. Monday's shootings at Virginia Polytechnical Institute brought back a flood of memories for her. "It was incredibly violent, an event that no one in that dorm that night or in dorms around us will ever forget," Scinto said. Kim, who was not a Cornell student, invaded the North Campus dorm Low Rise 7 on Saturday, Dec. 17, 1983 armed with a rifle. According to Scinto and police reports, Kim arrived at the dorm and confronted Suh and Nieswand in their room after Suh refused to see him. Scinto called Kim an "obsessed admirer and stalker of Suh." "We all heard him come in through the back fire escape stairs. Those doors were supposed to have been locked but everyone kept them propped open, and that's how he got in. He came in through the fire escape stairway and entered the suite above me," she said. Less than 30 minutes later, Scinto heard gunshots as Kim murdered Suh and Nieswand. She then heard footsteps as he fled back down the staircase. Though only two people lost their lives, the incident had potential to be even more traumatic. Kim held five additional students hostage in Suh's room before releasing all but the two roommates. Joel Melby '84 lived on the floor below and remembers how much uglier the situation could have turned. "It was only because the man's primary target, a quiet, shy, freshman girl, persuaded him to let most of the others go. Her bravery saved the lives of all but herself and her roommate. What if she hadn't found the courage to do so?" he asked in a comment on The Sun's website. "What if" is a question many students are asking as they worry that shootings like the ones at Virginia Tech could happen at Cornell, and whether or not the University could handle such desperate conditions. Evan Kalman '08 does not feel any college is "equipped to handle a major situation." "You can criticize [a school's] lack of security, but not their lack of action. If there is a murder on campus you could say, 'stay in your rooms,' but I guess that can't really prevent anything either," he said. Isha Tohill '08 believes the events at Cornell in 1983 and the Virginia Tech murders emphasize holes in security at all college campuses. She said it was a mistake for Virginia Tech not to take any immediate precautions after the first shooting other than sending an e-mail two hours later stating that a shooting had occurred. "I know it's a big school, but they should have had people patrolling the whole campus, especially since they didn't know where the shooter was," Tohill said. Scinto found it frustrating watching the coverage at Virginia on Monday. She also criticized the delay in reporting the first shootings since technology is now better than it was in 1983. There was no e-mail sent in 1983; information was spread through word of mouth and over landline phones, Scinto said. "When the hostages were released in Low Rise, the resident advisors were immediately told what was going on and within minutes the police were there, buildings all over campus were locked down and police caught him within two miles of the dorm," Scinto said. "I don't know what the time frame is when administration was notified about the first shootings, but it had to be before two hours." Still, some students believe it is impossible to stop acts of violence and that something could happen at Cornell again or at any other college. Tohill said it is hard to prevent violent situations on campus, "unless every single building has card access that changes every semester according to who has classes in those buildings, and even then it's not fool proof." According to Kalman, a false sense of security will leave colleges vulnerable to attacks."You're not quite home in Ithaca, but you're very much not in the real world," he said. While the Virginia Tech community mourns 32 students and teachers, Cornell continues to offer condolences and support. Some are shocked from a distance, others personally affected by the rampage, but all share grief as many members of the Cornell community have friends and relatives attending and working at Virginia Tech. Though Cornell students were certainly affected by such a recent horrific event, many Cornell students are likely unaware of the University's tragedy decades ago. In a post on The Sun's website, Melby urged students not to become so far removed from the Virginia Tech tragedy that they forget the event "beyond the prayers and the tears." He stated, "Please don't believe that it couldn't have happened on our campus, because it already has." -- Original Source: Cornell Daily Sun - April 19, 2007
Jonny Lieberman <jdl46@cornell.edu>, <lieberman.jonny@gmail.com>