Gassy Monk

Before coming to China, I had spent the better part of 10 years in SW Virginia, living in Blacksburg during college & working in Charlottesville. Here's a great picture (thanks, Todd) from the Beta Bridge in Charlottesville, VA, on the University of VA grounds. I've passed this bridge many times & never thought it looked so good.

I've tried to explain what happened at VT to my students & have encouraged them to read the US news to find out more. China doesn't really have a problem with gun violence, so it sparked a few questions (mainly, why did it happen?) and many sad faces. After informing them, the common response I get is, "Try to forget it," which hurts to hear because I think it's important NOT to forget, but to grieve & move on. To their credit, people mean it in the best way - they're basically saying 'I hope you don't feel bad for too long' - and it's served as a way to discuss some cultural differences between the US & China.

The events also created an opportunity to teach the words 'empathy' & 'sympathy'. When these Chinese college students were faced with the questions, "How would you feel if several of your classmates faced a similar situation" and "Do you feel safe on this campus?" it really hit the point home.

(I don't mean to be too morbid or seem inconsiderate here, but in a language exchange environment the subtleties can be lost. Sometimes it's better to be blunt or use simpler terms, and to make sure the students get closer to understanding the depth of what went down and how it affects the school & the entire country, I thought it best to evoke some emotion.)

The students at VT are the same age, and many have had their feelings of safety shattered, sadly. Perhaps it goes far beyond that. Gun violence is a very real social problem that exists in the US, and that is something that should be discussed. Even here, in this environment, in this country. Regardless of how much it hurts. I read some of the governor's comments about being unwilling to even whisper the issue of gun control in VA, to my dismay.

Labels: blacksburg, solidarity, VT shooting

It’s doubtful there is anything that could assuage the pain felt by friends & family of those that were lost, but there is something great to be witnessed in the millions of emails being passed around, the ringing phones & the personal efforts made by those affirming their relationships w friends & family (worldwide!).

To those who have visited Blacksburg, try not to let this catastrophe cast a shadow on the beauty that remains & the good times you remember, but do continue to sympathize with the classmates & family members of those whose lives were needlessly taken. They need your support more than anyone.

And to those that have sent me an email with your sympathies & your thoughts, thank you for your expressions of solidarity. Now, in the aftermath, I only hope that those much closer to this catastrophe have people in their lives able to offer them the same.

Labels: blacksburg, solidarity, VT shooting