Sometimes it takes something raw, heinous and shocking to make us stop and take a step back to see not only why something bad happened, but also how similar events can be prevented in the future. In the days since the April 16 Virginia Tech atrocity, opinions have been offered and safeguards are taking shape.
Students on many campuses around the world held vigils to honor those who died. Prayers have been uttered,
songs sung, candles lit - all to help us take a minute to honor the dead and find peace that we are still among the living. It's nice to know that in troubled times like these, human beings can pull together to show support. And while we might expect vigils at American universities, it's sometimes surprising and thought-provoking to see an outpouring of love and solidarity from other areas of the world.
Nine days after the massacre, South Korean Christians held a candlelight vigil near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. Perhaps it hit a little too close to home that "one of their own" was responsible for the mass killings or perhaps they just wanted to let the Virginia Tech community know that, collectively, they were thinking of them.
Students in Baghdad live with violence in their part of the world almost every day, and a recent Salt Lake Tribune article said in the past few years more than 200 university professors have lost their lives, along with many students killed by Iraqi insurgents. Hearts already wounded on their own turf, Baghdad students created and hung a banner describing their disgust at the one-man assault and denouncing the attack. Part of the banner read, "We extend our condolences to the families of the victims who faced a situation as bad as Iraq's universities do. The sanctity of campuses must be protected around the world."
So globally we've taken time to remember the fallen, we've paused to give thanks that we and our loved ones are still safe -now what is to be done? Several ideas have cropped up in the wake of this horrible event.
On idea is to make campuses safer. Several readers have suggested guns be allowed on campus, legally, with proper permits, so in the event of a similar situation, a weapon-carrying student or professor can stop the carnage. This idea may appeal to some, but the thought of so many concealed weapons jangling around in backpacks and purses on campus is a little unsettling.
Another question is how to get word to students and professors that a problem is under way when there are no phones in classrooms. Journalist Karen Hucks of the Tacoma News Tribune said at Tacoma Community College in Washington students can sign up for a new text-message program called e2Campus. With this service, students will receive a text message if a dangerous incident is taking place or a building needs to be locked down. Students who stealthily text friends in classes could be alerted a potential problem, enabling proactive safety measures.
Governor Jon Huntsman met recently with dozens of government officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, Utah's former governor, to discuss recent horrific events and solutions for future happenings. Many issues, including video game influences, mental health checks and concealed weapons permits, were discussed.
Whatever the outcome of that meeting or any future meetings regarding the safety of everyday citizens, including students, one thing is for sure. If we don't use the Columbine, Trolley Square and Virginia Tech events as wake-up calls, we're going to be adding to the list of dead and wondering yet again, how to prevent it from happening.
This editorial is the opinion of the Daily Universe editorial board. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of BYU, its administration, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and should not be construed as such.
Copyright Brigham Young University 9 May 2007
