Vigil

Today, there was a vigil in Esther Short Park to mourn the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. I wouldn't have though it, but Clark College was pretty involved throughout the whole thing. Bob Knight, the president of the College attended, as well as Political Science and History teacher, Heather Gagnon. A choir student of Clark College performed Amazing Grace at the end of the Event.

It was very emotional. There we're dozens of people in Virginia Tech jackets openly weeping, there were wide-eyed and eerily silent children clutching their parents, and there were survivors of Columbine, as this was also the eighth anniversary of that as well. From a journalist standpoint, I was kicking myself for not dragging Ashley or Andi, or for just bringing a camera myself. From a citizen standpoint, I was a little insulted by all the cameramen and photographers soaking in the grief.

I felt out of place. I did feel grief, but it was the distant sympathy of bystanders. For most everyone there, the grief was hot and immediate. I spoke with the Mayor, who was jovial and friendly; I spoke with the Coordinator, a Columbine survivor and alumni; I spoke with Heather, a professor at Clark. Everyone I spoke with shared similar sentiments, those of grief and sympathy.

Well, I guess I have a head start for my paper, which I should have done on Monday. Yay Me.