friday, february 15, 2008
NIU Shooting
February 14, 2008.
For those who don't know, I attend Northern Illinois University where the tragic shooting occurred today. I was leaving the museum around 3:00 and shortly thereafter a gunman opened fire in a lecture room in Cole Hall, several buildings away from where I was. There are 6 dead and 17 more are in the hospital. I'm still sitting in disbelief in my apartment right now. On one hand I am shocked this happened here, you never think it will happen to you or hit close to you. On the other hand, we had racial slurs tagged in dorm halls during finals week of last semester which really shook me up. This campus is in a little bubble, and not a healthy bubble. Even at 32, I find that this campus and location has not been an easy environment for me to thrive in. I can only imagine how, as a younger student bound to this little city, how one would feel here. There's just too much anonymity and very difficult energy for me here.
It didn't start to sink in until later this evening when word of death was released on the news.
I had a bit of a breakdown and my heart goes out to all the families and people who are affected by this tragedy.
I cannot imagine the anger/mental struggles this young man must have possessed to have unleashed such rage onto others and himself. So often we turn a blind eye to people and things instead of reaching out and offering help or bringing it to someone's attention. That's the anonymity feeling I get here on campus, it's easy to go unnoticed. There are so many questions and so little answers right now.
Not even having a moment to grieve the losses here on campus, extremist Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church has already applauded the shooter and has made statements about protesting a memorial. Their warning to all fags and fag-enablers.
It worries me to think of their congregation coming to my campus to protest memorials.
I'm exhausted.
Comments:
02/16/2008 - suckerformarketing
I too was saddened by the recent events at NIU. I lived in Topeka, KS mere blocks away from Phelps and his "compound." Every time I drove by that place, I got a pit in my stomach and sadly enough, wanted to do something really bad to those people. The worst thing is how they involve their children in their protests. Sweet, innocent children who have no ability to choose what THEY think is right. Such a shame. Take time to recover, your artwork will surely show at some point your emotions about this terrible thing.
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