jueves, 14 de febrero de 2008

tears

I read the story and sobbed. Hard.

What has happened to us?

Northern Illinois University, site of the "latest" campus "shooting event"...incredible that we can even use "latest" and "shooting event" in the same clause... I just don't know what to think. What have we done to ourselves? What has happened?

I feel these attacks personally. I had to teach in that post-broken-innocence, that all teachers (and students) now face in each and every classroom in the United States. I have had threats, I have been fearful, I have wondered what would have happened if I had said the wrong thing one night when a certain student had forgotten to take her meds.

And I have two children who I am trying my hardest to raise as loving, trusting souls...but must I put a caveat on everything I teach? "Yes, trust...but then again, you can't really trust anyone. You're in this alone. Really." That is not the world in which I want my children taking part.

But I have no choice.

Maybe I'm thinking too deeply about this. I just hate and resent, truly resent how utterly helpless I feel facing all we have to face now.

How can I change it? What in the world can I do to change this?

4 comentarios:

  1. Not a thing. As sad as it is.

    I read a study in college. They studied generations of rats and as the generations went on, the rats got crazier and crazier. I think that's our society these days.

    We can either adapt or give in. I think I'll adapt and teach Rach to do the same.

    ResponderEliminar
  2. What's so sad is that we have to rob our children of the innocence that is so endearing. I don't know what can be done, I wish I did. Remember the old saying "stop the world, I want to get off"...there just isn't anywhere else to go so we have to adapt. Soon we will have street wise 5 year olds that will look upon everyone else with suspicion. Classes will be attended through computer systems to ensure the safety of the students. Universities will end up closing down, among other facilities. No more malls or stores; it will all be done online from the safety of one's home. Vehicles will all be bullet proof for those brave enough to venture out. A bleak future that is too sad. The only immediate thing that can be done is revamping our gun control. I'm not blaming them, but if the guns were not so available, these things could not happen. Remember the Lane Bryant shootings just a week or so prior. Sigh ~ I need to stop now. Sorry.

    ResponderEliminar
  3. this may sound odd, but I think concealed weapons ( carried by licensed and trained people ) need to be allowed on college grounds, and in classrooms..

    I can't help but believe from my own background and training that had someone had a weapon in the Virginia tech, or Illinois classrooms the shooter would have been stopped before so much carnage ensued. In fact I promise you it would have saved lives.

    It is very sad that it's going to take armed citizenry to thwart this type of tragedy from happening, but I really think thats the only real alternative. Most people blanch at the idea of it, but I can tell you that all the other alternatives are ineffective. Metal detectors can be bypassed, searches aren't worth a darn, and more cops on campus will only make a higher education too expensive too afford.

    Let the students and faculty arm themselves with licensed handguns and carry them concealed. When you have no idea who is carrying a gun, you think twice about pulling one out, Medication or not.

    ResponderEliminar
  4. Hello all:

    I really don't know what the answer is. Everyone has a valid point. It all lies in the social values, or rather lack thereof, that have been instilled. Why has one learned that it is acceptable to shootout anywhere when s/he is having a bad day, a bad life, whatever, is the core issue and that goes into upbringing, where we have lacked as a society in providing necessary examples and positive role models for our own citizens. It is so rare for the role models in our society to be highlighted in the news. We all are at fault and we have failed each other. I just do not want to fail my children and any others whose lives I may have touched, in one way or another as an educator...and maybe that can be the start of the grass-roots type of change, the empathy for one another, that we need to reestablish together.

    Be well, all.

    ResponderEliminar