Making Me Think

As I've been reading blogs posted by friends lately who have really made me think, I'm inspired to comment on the tragic event of recent that happened at Virginia Tech. What I know is of course learned through the media, which quite well may be construed in some way or another; regardless, it has made me think. I take for granted that I live in a country where I feel safe, where I as a teacher have trust in my students to not bring such weapons to school with the intent of using them in this manner. We don't even have metal detectors as many U.S. schools do, for goodness sake. We don't feel like we need them. In fact, most people find it pointless to rehearse lockdown drills should something like this happen, but in reality it could.

And at times I think what if? What if it did happen? Would I barricade the door in protection of my students as the media mentioned one professor who lost his life did? Would I be that big? Or would I cower in the corner, hiding and hoping against hopes that my life might be spared. Would I run for life? What would I do in the moment? What kind of a person am I?

I would hope that no student of mine, friend of mine, relative of mine, child of mine could ever cause so much devastation, but the people who commit these crimes are someone's son, brother, friend.

And so I'm thinking, but what else can I do? I would hate to feel defeated as Rosie O'Donnell said on The View yesterday in her attempts to effect change in the U.S., which I just happened to catch, but what have I done to make a difference?

My heart goes out the people directly affected by this horrendous event, particularly the family, friends and schoolmates of those who perished. May you someday know peace.