Last week was a hard one for people across the country. The United States witnessed a horrific tragedy on the campus of Virginia Tech University. Students who were simply minding their own business lost their lives at the hands of a ruthless and disturbed killer. It was a terrifying incident that surprised everyone with the overwhelming scale of violence unleashed on unsuspecting individuals. Closer to home, John LaPlante, mass communication professor and Advocate editor, died April 14 in an unfortunate accident while swimming off the coast of Galveston with his children. Last week also marked the anniversaries of the shootings at Columbine High School and the deaths of 82 followers of the Branch Dividian religious sect in Waco, Texas. In short, there was every reason for members of the University community to feel a bit down. But last week also showed the University how important it is to come together and celebrate the camaraderie of our peers. It showed us how useless it is to get caught up in petty squabbles and how senseless it is to treat one another poorly. In the wake of tragedies, the American public has a tendency to unite for a brief period of time and put disagreements aside so the necessary process of mourning may begin. After Sept. 11, 2001, the country banded together under the common cause of patriotism. After Hurricane Katrina, the country reinvigorated its love for the city of New Orleans and the endearing bruises it carries with it. And now, after the tragedy at Virginia Tech, we have all become Hokies. These moments of human understanding for the tragedy that has befallen others show the most powerful and important side of humanity, the ability to empathize. As we move into a new week, let’s take a few moments to realize that we all share a common bond that transcends race, religion or any other categorization. We are humans first and foremost. We have a moral obligation to honor one another in times of happiness the same as we do in times of devastation. Let’s keep the optimistic side of ourselves in the front of our minds, at least for a little while longer than we normally would. Surely we will forget and sink back into our normal inclination to bicker, but until we do, we should all do our part to make the mourning process as easy as possible for everyone. Let’s keep our best forward for as long as possible.
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