Roses at the foot of a light post serve as a small memorial outside Norris Hall, where 30 students were killed this week at Virginia Tech this.
Source: Getty Images
A week ago today, the "Hokies" of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University knew the weekend was fast-approaching. Thinking back to my own college days, I'd bet they were trying to figure out how to get the most out of their weekend -- study hard for finals, maybe play hard too...especially those graduating seniors.
They didn't know that only a week later, their academic sanctuary -- the training ground for their greatest pursuits -- would be visited by utter mayhem and reduced to a crime scene of historic proportions. In the space of a couple of hours on Monday, Blacksburg, Virginia suddenly became a major topic of conversation -- and headlines -- across the globe.
So far, all we really know is that the gunman was one sick young man. And the rest of us are left to try to make sense of whatever we can...Like everyone else, we have been trying to figure out what we can constructively add to the national conversation about all this.
In our first blog entry, we wondered whether a gun control conversation might begin -- again. Many of you sent us thoughtful responses -- which we very much appreciate -- but we didn't see a way to make that conversation different from so many you've already heard.
Then we started to notice something: Since the moment it was revealed that Sueng-Hui Cho was a native of South Korea, members of the Korean-American community across the US seemed to feel a special responsibility to express their regret and horror at the incident...even to apologize. One such leader is Washington State Sen. Paul Chin. We talked with him and asked why he felt an apology is in order...
Also, learning the race of Cho Sueng-Hui Cho stirred interesting cultural reactions. Was the fact of his race and heritage overpowering enough to influence how we think about the crime...and its aftermath? What is to be said about individual's perceptions here? Blogger Phil Yu (his blog is called Angry Asian Man...and trust me, it's actually very smart and warm and often hilarious) helped us out with this one, as did Alvin Alvarez, Ph.D., president of the Asian American Psychological Association.
In our last discussion (at least, for this pilot) on the Virginia tragedy: There's a debate about how closely the presumed shooter is being associated with his South Korean heritage by we, the media. This week the Asian-American Journalists Association (AAJA) urged journalists to exercise caution in reporting on Cho's ethnicity. What's behind their concerns? Jeanne Mariani-Belding, president of that organization tells us more...
We think that's a thorough portion on the happenings of this past week. It's enough to keep you thinking (and blogging)...
Now for a few of our signature dishes we love:
Faith Matters -- Question: what happens when a registered sex offender desires to become a member of a church? Should churches -- many of which are thriving with young children -- feel obligated to extend the hand of fellowship? A congregation in California is grappling with this question. We talk with the pastor and two of his members, both of whom are parents of young children.
*** PAUSE. SOUL BREAK ***
Oliver Wang, the music and culture writer and curator of "Soul Sides Volume Two: The Covers" helps us with our groove for a minute...thank goodness, right on time...
Sound Vault -- We posted a while back on the whole Ken Burns/PBS controversy (which is still being worked out, it seems). Well, here's more dialogue on the contribution of Latinos to WWII. This week, two remarkable men share their experiences -- including the obstacles they faced -- while serving as soldiers in a war that didn't always make them feel heroic.
And...
Heard on the Street -- Gotta love this one! The music of Don Witter, Jr. is the daily soundtrack for scores of New Yorkers who pass through the city's subway system. For him, it's proven to be a labor of love. He gives us "a day in the life..." (courtesy of our friends at NPR member station WNYC)
So, blog it out...
What do you think about the reporting on of Sueng-Hui Cho's ethnic background? Relevant or overplayed?
Really. Be honest here (and everywhere): Did Cho's ethnicity influence your thinking about the crime? How so?
And, if you belong to a religious community, how would you react to a convicted sex offender who tried to join your church?
Tough one...or not?
Have a good weekend.