Today’s headlines are a little close to home for me. My cousin is the city manager of Aurora, Colorado, where (at this writing) twelve people were murdered and dozens wounded in a shooting spree at the midnight showing of the new Batman movie. I haven’t heard from him yet, but I’m sure he’s up to his ears. A lifetime of experience can’t begin to prepare you for something this horrific.
The way the media covers tragedies like this one can
be debated for eternity. Often in crisis, news organizations shine. But too
often, as hours turn into days, they give in to what they defend as ‘the public’s
need to know’.
Honestly, all the public needs to know are the
facts, especially in the immediate aftermath. I don’t want to hear the 911
calls, and I’m betting the families and friends of those who died probably don’t
want to hear them either.
Grief is hard, even if you think you’re prepared for
it. But grieving in public…well, that’s a whole different ball game.
Imagine – if you are lucky enough to not know anyone
affected by today’s tragedy – that you knew someone who died in that movie
theatre. Imagine how you’d feel…
…seeing their picture on TV and in the papers.
…reading blog posts from people with a political axe
to grind who blame your friend for not defending themselves with equal or
greater firepower.
…hearing religious leaders either insist that your
friend is “happy” now, or condemning them for not being ‘good with God’.
And yes, some of these things have already happened
today.
So as we struggle through the next days of mourning
and healing and questioning, try to refrain from finger-pointing, even at the
shooter.
Light a candle, say a prayer, whatever.
And think about not only the families left behind,
but the many, many friends.
2 comments:
"Light a candle, say a prayer...and try to refrain from finger-pointing..."
Sadly, in our search for answers to incomprehensible tragedies we often turn to scapegoating. But as a pastor friend of mine recently said
here our search for scapegoats will keep us busy for awhile, but it will not bring us the comfort we need. Better to light a candle and say a prayer instead.
Well said. Thank-you!
Vida
Vida -
Great point - by you and your pastor friend.
You're right: no matter who we blame, no matter what answer we come up with, in the long run, we won't feel better.
We all have to tend the sheep.
Thanks for sharing!
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