But yet, there are always in gatherings such as this sadder thoughts that will recur to our minds: thoughts of the past, of youth, of changes, of absent faces that we miss here to-night. Our path through life is strewn with many such sad memories: and were we to brood upon them always we could not find the heart to go on bravely with our work among the living. We have all of us living duties and living affections which claim, and rightly claim, our strenuous endeavours.
James Joyce, The Dead
As you might imagine, the revelation that Virginia Tech madman Cho Seung-Hui was an English major resulted in some lively pre-class talk in English classes on campus today. That he’s a creative writing major — the same as your truly — is particularly disturbing.
How fitting that we were discussing James Joyce’s The Dead in my night class this evening. The above passage was particularly striking. I wonder if Dr. A wondered why I choked up in the middle of trying to make a point about it – I was trying to relate it to the theme of the story, but I wasn’t really paying attention to what I was saying.
I arrived on campus very early — 7:30am — to write a short-story for tonight’s class (there’s nothing like procrastination). I was struck by the lack of police I saw: I’d figured there’d be a cop at every building. And indeed, later in the day, they were quite noticeable. A lot of the folks gathered outside of Linthicum Hall for smoke breaks between classes discussed VTech’s response to the massacre, not in terms of VTech’s decision and the rightness or wrongness of that decision, but what would Towson do in a similar circumstance?
Towson’s Towerlight published a special issue today on the shooting and student reaction. Particularly noticeable was the last page, where students are stopped in the hall, asked for a quote, and have their photo taken. Perhaps it isn’t surprising that a lot of students today looked at the back of the paper and said “Should these students all be smiling like this?” Apparently, the photos were removed from the online PDF file (or they just won’t load on my computer for some reason) so I can’t provide an illustration.
Because I need a laugh – and because you might too – I point out to you a quote from Dan Keenan, a freshman chemistry major. “Yeah, I feel safe because I go hard every single day.”
Um. Yeah, wow Dan, I usually just take a cold shower or masturbate so that people don’t ask me “Is that a howitzer in your pants or are you just happy to see me?”
ummm… ok now then…
I actually agree that there are often times that humor is the best way to make it through such a tragic time.
Good lord… I just noticed you have been writing here since 2004!!! How cool that you have a journal for 3 years!
Cheers! Kate
Comment by kate — April 17, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
Snay you have diarrhea of the fingertips. Who can keep up with you?
Really, you must post some of your creative efforts.
Keep us smilin’ :) when otherwise life sucks.
Comment by Claire — April 17, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
What an absolute catastrophe. I felt a connection to the students, even though it’s been about a dozen years since I went to college (undegrad).
Comment by Losrulz — April 17, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
The issue was alright. I agree with you. Why were all those students smiling? Did you see Brian Stelter out front of the Union by the fish pond handing the latest issues out?
Comment by ryan — April 17, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
Kate – Thanks! I know, it still seems like just yesterday I started blogging.
Claire – “diarrhea of the fingers” is actually my favorite phrase ever :)
Los – I know, it’s impossible not to; this could’ve happened anywhere.
Ryan – I didn’t. My range of motion on campus is usually limited to Linthicum Hall; Hawkins Hall (The Brick); and the Towson Town Center.
Comment by MalSnay — April 17, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
OK. the pics did load in my reader and thats just sad. The argument is that they’re not in Virginia and have other things to consume them and I see that as well as accept that but even if something doesn’t directly involve me like say a chick uptown that I know says her gramma just died… out of sheer respect if nothing else I’m not going to grin like an idiot and say “oh really?” its just mean. They could have at least pretended humility.
On another note – I am not even in the USA and I actually cried. Chalk that up to being emotionally imbalanced but I thought of the 76 year old math teacher who used himself as a sheild so his students could escape. He was a holocaust survivor and while he was being shot full of holes by a nutcase there was a vigil on the other side of the world commemorating the end of the holocaust.
Snay – I pray this never happens at your campus. I kinda like you.
Comment by Jean — April 17, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
with every school tragedy, it makes me more and more scared to send my children out of the nest. Sure, they are only seven and under, but one dya they will leave. whats to stop some stupid F*ck from doing this where ever they are? not just at a school, its happening in malls, soon, i fear it will be happening at public parks. it has to stop soon, and it has to be done with better safties on gun and anumition buying….
this is not what the US 2nd ammendment was meant to be…
Comment by bluepaintred — April 17, 2007 @ 9:00 pm
It’s truly horrific. Those affected will be in my thoughts & prayers.
I was around eight years old when I read Ulysses (my fathers book.)
You know I knew a Dan Keenan I wonder if it is the same guy? He was several years younger than me.
Comment by Opal — April 17, 2007 @ 9:13 pm
I don’t think you are a writing major just like him – your prof didn’t refer you to a therapist because your writing had disturbing overtones…
Too sad for words, really
Comment by The Phosgene Kid — April 17, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
ditto on the chill’un above.
Comment by angryballerina — April 18, 2007 @ 12:07 am
I’ve tried to comment for awhile.
Puh.
Giving up.
How about a cyber hug from an old lady?
Comment by WM — April 18, 2007 @ 12:30 am
I found out today that my daughter’s friend went to high school with the shooter. This is just too close to home. :(
Comment by blondeblogger — April 18, 2007 @ 12:45 am
Yeah, he gives us creative writing majors a bad name. Have you read his stories? They’re circulating all over the internets: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,266593,00.html
I really don’t like sitting in class, trying to figure out what i’d do if a shooter came into the room.
Comment by Allie — April 18, 2007 @ 6:18 am
Terrible, terrible situation there in VA. But a nice closer to the post (for a moment I thought you were talking to me).
What I can’t figure out is … why would someone go to Virginina TECH to major in English. I mean, isn’t that itself the first warning sign? :)
Comment by Dan — April 18, 2007 @ 6:50 am
Another excellent post, my friend. Thank you.
Comment by Sometimes Saintly Nick — April 18, 2007 @ 6:57 am
He goes hard everyday?
Umm….no…if I saw that guy in a crowded elevator I sure as hell wouldn’t get in!
Comment by paperback writer — April 18, 2007 @ 9:18 am
The pictures on the last page loaded for me. With the possible exception of one photo, I see the smiling faces, but it looks more like a smile for the sake of the camera that is pointed at them, not because they are happy. If you look at each student’s eyes, they tell a whole different story.
Comment by Lynda — April 18, 2007 @ 10:50 am
I’m not sure why the media made such a point about his being an English major. The fact that he’s a loner? Okay. Though, aren’t the usual descriptions about these sort of guys always that “he was a loner”? So it’s no real revelation.
I am hoping the reason why they harped on his major was because they really didn’t have any other information on him and needed SOMETHING. At UVA (where I went), English was the biggest major there. Saying someone is an English major is almost stating a given. It would make more sense to state the major only if they are NOT an English major.
Smiling in photos related to tragic stories always seems a bit disturbing to me. You think talking about such a serious matter would naturally make their face NOT smile. At least be aware of what you’re talking about and look appropriate! Some of the reporters on the news do this too. “Pedestrian hit!” and they are smiling. What the hell?!
Comment by Hanmee — April 18, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
he goes ‘hard’ every day? did he seriously answer with that?
Comment by Webmiztris — April 18, 2007 @ 2:51 pm