Perspective: Part II
It's a sad day when a mass killing like the one at Virginia Tech is simply no longer shocking.We've had war, hatred, death and killings on mass since 9/11.
I miss the feeling of unity and the outreach of Columbine. There are no vigils out in my neighborhood for the lives lost at VT like there were then.
We've been wading in the stench for so long we can no longer smell it.
I wish I could say there is something being done, but then The New York Times published an article today on how our so-called leader has re-negged on promises of helping the victims in New Orleans -- helping those still alive as opposed to merely honoring those dead and sending more to be killed in a foreign land.
The ball's been dropped so many times it's hard to do much anymore but just watch it roll away.
I know that from the darkness can come great light. But that is a choice, isn't it? A perspective chosen.
So what about you guys? Are you getting used to it all?
Or are you just waking up?
posted by Jason Sechrest at 5:51 PM
9 Comments:
Look asshole, the shootings maybe "simply no longer shocking" to you, but to those of us around here it is still pretty hard to swallow. Sorry there is no fucking vigil to placate you, but it is nice to know that you still try and make this tragedy all about you.
6:34 - Your pain is obviously insurmountable. I am so sorry for your loss. Please try to understand, as I am trying to understand, that it is not just your loss, but "our" loss. The tragedies that happen in the world every day are, unfortunately, all about us. The political = The personal. My only purpose in stating that this is "no longer shocking" to many people is to point out how something so tragic has merely been relagated to a water cooler conversation for many as opposed to the mass amount of unity, grief, support and love we felt upon these moments in our history when they were still considered rare, just a few years ago. It's a shame and it's sad and I cry not just for the lives lost, but for this gradual landslide to eventual numbness to and from it all. xo L, J.
Compare to the events of 911 and Katrina, this massacre is just tiny grain of salt.
People are shocked because the number of people died in the shooting and the ruthless killer, but nothing can surpass the horrific devastating event in 2001 and 2005.
I'm getting used to it, but last night I was extremely pissed, not only because it was an asian (first was rumoured Taiwanese, actually), but also the insensitivity of the school. (I'm not going further because it'll derail the subject)
cheers.
Jimmy no one or racial group is immune to this madness. The 1996 Port Arthur massacre in the Australian state of Tasmania where 35 people were killed just edges this one out. There was also the massacre at a Scottish school in the 90's (Dunblane massacre) 16 dead. What is disturbing people always say after the fact "I knew " " was going to do this" We need to start REQUIRING Mental Health screening in this country. His lit professor said on nightline tonite I KNEW he would do this. No one listened or acted on the warning sign's That is what is depressing and the fact there will be another and another,,,,
Of course no one or group is immuned. But it did hit hard especially it's done by "one of my people", just like how moderate Muslims feel when 9.11 happen. Except I don't have panic, but rather anger, but that has slowly drifted away anyways.
Jimmy - Exactly. And the numbers continue to grow. xo L, J.
Dewayne - Wow! Hadn't heard of these. I looked these up on Wiki. The problem with scanning for that is that it then becomes like "A Clockwork Orange." I mean, who dictates what is sane and what isn't? And is being insane okay so long as it's managable? It would be such a fine line. I mean, the eccentricty of certain people I love would lock them away alone. xo L, J.
It doesn't matter what racial/ethnic or national background the killer belonged to, what matters is that lives were stolen. I think this country needs to take a long hard look still at racism, poverty, bullying and the socio-economic inequities that exist. Jason, these kinds of tragedies don't necessarily shock me because I know all too well the depths and depravity of the human mind, but it does deeply disturb me and I feel a loss. I know someone at Virginia Tech, and while he is safe, he did loose some students that he taught. My prayers go out to the family. If there is no vigil where you are, then why not take the lead and organize one within the gay porn community to show solidarity?
WM - I put something out on Santa Monica last night. That's when I was surprised to see there was nothing there in the usual corners. You know, I was out of town and didn't have a change to post about this but Roseanne definitely had a point when she talked about how gays are always fighting for their rights and their freedoms instead of fighting for the rights of people as a whole. There is a lack of unity. And there is division within divide. Not just of gays. Look at those gals who pit woman against feminist. Something has got to be done about the little wars we wage against each other and ourselves in every day life -- because they manifest these larger scale physical wars against countries. We start to think this kind of behavior is okay, that it is the only chance of survival and getting ahead. Which is incredibly myopic. And how do we change the world? Changing the self. One person at a time, you know? And I do believe that is possible. But look at this poor kid from VT... look at his writings and look at the wars he waged against himself in his own head every day the poor thing. He was clubbing himself over the head like a baby seal and the tears were so silent inside of himself that no one could do anything. We need to teach the value of self-worth and self-love. It doesn't come from a book. It comes from within. And kids need to be taught their unqiueness is brilliance at any early age. It should be a required course in school or something. xo L, J.
Jason,
I agree with you. Politicians and community leaders are always talking about our moral values but hardly anyone talks about uplifting people's spirits and kindess towards one another, and when I say uplifting spirits I am not talking about religion, but identifying everyone's unique spiritualism inside themselves and enhancing those gits.
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