"After a hard day's work diggin' up the sod, we're ready for chow."

Welcome to our class's blog. We are discussing the latest topics we're studying in American history and literature. This website has been active since December 2005. Selected Excel 10 students will take turns posting their thoughts, and other Excel 10 students will comment on these posts. Parents, staff, and other interested persons are invited to add their comments on our musings. Any inappropriate comments will be deleted.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

It's time to reach out and help someone

The Virginia Tech tragedy really disturbed me especially after hearing that nobody expected it. It’s really hard to understand the point of view of someone depressed enough to take so many lives. It seems scary that despite his actions, nobody even suspected any rash action from the shooter. As hard as it is to think about, no one does anything thinking that they’re a bad person. The shooter probably views himself as a sort of martyr. It is unfortunate that there are so many people in the world are lonely and feel ostracized enough to lash out so radically. We should all make a grander effort to reach out to people who appear lonely and depressed. It sounds corny but a little friendliness and compassion can make a difference.
-Mickey
Editor's Note: This is a Buddhist symbol for compassion.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree. I always feel really bad when I see someone at school or at a sporting event or something and they're sitting by themselves. And I always say to my friends or whoever I'm with how bad I feel that they are alone, but I've never actually done something to help the situation. I guess feeling bad is better than not thinking about it at all, but me just feeling bad isn't going to solve the problem. I think a lot of us feel like that but we're too afraid to actually step out of our box and do something different. But it doesn't just have to be one person who has to do this. If we would all work together and try to make sure that everyone has someone to talk to, then maybe there would be less violence in the world like the Virgina Tech shootings.

Elizabeth O.

Anonymous said...

i have to fully agree with mickey on this one. People dont just get up one morning and decide its time to kill other human beings. Things like constant mental and physical putdowns by themselves or by others bring about these types of actions. I feel as if these people are the ones who stay in the shadows for most of their lives and swallow all that is thrown at them. Until finally they explode in rage and believe in the fact the only way out is to die and to take down the people that hurt them along for the horrid ride. I am a strong believer in the fact that if one sees a peer in need, always reach out and help. To the helper it might be just a small act of charity but to the needy it might change their life.

Lisa ReZZZZZZZnik =]

Anonymous said...

I agree with Mickey mainly because these people obviously feel the need to take their anger or sadness out on the world around them. They most likely have had something or someone missing from their lives as a young child that makes them feel the way that they do. The crucial years are when a child’s mind is still developing and if a parent is absent, abusive, or someone teaches that child the wrong values they are most likely to have problems as they grow older. Classmates also have a lasting affect on children and those who are teased physically or emotionally are more prone to something like the Virginia Tech shooting. We see it in our school all the time but most of us don’t do anything about it. A simple hi, or even asking him/her if they are ok would mean the world to them. Its the little things in life that matter and if you just take a few seconds out of your day you may be able to prevent something happening later on in that persons life. It only takes one person to make a difference, and we should all start now.
Katie G