The only thoughts which I have in my mind since Monday, the 16th of April '07 are about tragedy at Virginia Tech University and I am unable to completely keep the matter aside & get back to my routine. Hence this blog... so as to jot down my thoughts and know what other people go through in situations as these. Before proceeding further, my sincere condolences to all those who are affected and pray that all their souls rest in peace, including Cho - the gunman's.
I know for certain whatever has happened is extremely bad but I've been wondering what would've instigated this juvenile chap, hailing from a socio-economic class, to contrive this plot. It is generally believed that you have no right to take one's own life and I am surprised how could he take away so many people's lives so easily, without any remorse atleast after the 1st shooting. He planned long ahead of time...and I am alarmed to know how could he be just cool between the shootings as if nothing happened. While many might be angry and would've considered him a crackhead by now, I have mixed feelings... hmm which you might understand after you read what I think about him.
Everyone knows through media that Cho was a troubled guy in his class and didn't mingle with anyone. It seems he never spoke to or smiled at anyone of his roommates & classmates during his entire tenure at Virginia Tech. In my opinion, either he feels inferior about himself or most likely he was teased/bullied in his past ... might've believed that he'd get hurt even more if he interacted with anyone; so preferred to stay isolated, giving no possibility for interference of others in his issues. Ha! you must be thinking how can I get to this ... because I guess a person's personality will be defined by his past relationships & circumstances, genes, his thoughts and what he grasps from his experiences in life, his brought up, etc.
If you observe - people undergo frustration, anger... or even cry [these apply to extroverts] when they have disturbing thoughts & feel helpless about their griefs in life. Contrasting to this, introverts practice silence, in most cases have stubborn attitude or ... [any other medium of expression you know]. I suppose he was an extreme introvert who was subsiding his feelings within himself for a long time and wanted to burst out violently to get rid of his pain. But yet it's surprising, because in my life I've seen people who speak less often but never seen anyone who doesn't talk at all for months with ones around him/her. In my opinion, he might have had too many secrets, a lot of resentment towards people and hated being alive. In this present scenario, he might've felt - why should I alone die when its no mistake of mine and when it doesn't serve any purpose of healing this corrupt world; or that... I should punish as many as possible before I sacrifice my life for something better - 'healing this world'. Perhaps this was the reason why he could've ever rejected attending any counselling classes... he would've felt he was right but was miunderstood by everyone around him.
If you remember, in one of his videos, he says "how does it feel if someone spits on u...." and I believe it all happened to him in his tender age and couldn't get out of all those bad memories. Bullying among school children is really hard for many kids here in the US. I guess it's prevalent everywhere but I happened to have a discussion with one of the school officials a couple of months ago, so I came to know about the situations here in US. She told me it is too bad and exists even among children starting from 5-6yrs of age, which was very surprising. As far as I know someone bullies the other either to feel superior over others or gain attention among peers, or for fun/timepass and so on; but the person who is getting bullied might not be equally witty in retorting to this or easy-going abt it, which even though many realize, simply disregard considering others' feelings. I guess Cho has taken many of these experiences very seriously and felt somewhat helpless. He might've wanted to let it go or atleast do something about it but couldn't have erased those "Emotional Scars" through out his life time.
After all this discussion, from my end -apart from being sympathetic for victims and shocked to see how it affected many families, at some corner of my heart I somewhat pity him(Cho) for his mental weakness. Now dont get surprised and jump to conclusions that I am supporting him. No way! I believe he was wrong and his behavior is always unacceptable. He tried to take all the vengeance he had towards anyone he disliked through out his life, on some innocent people who don't even know him or rather it would've been some sort of a 'cry for - attention for his feelings'. His thoughts were not momentary. He might've had a heap of bad memories of his experiences which bursted out like a volcano involving a planned scheme.
I consider he wasn't solely responsible for his behavior. He just didn't have control over his attitude and didn't want any help from external sources either, which led to the most awful day for many humans. Societal factors, along with his attitudinal problems would've made him get indulged in committing such an atrocity. Society, community, laws , ... this entire system would've played a role somewhere in this whole episode apart from the major fact of him being a jerk.
P.S.:- Express your opinions about this massacre(bloodshed) and post your comments in the comment box below.
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8 comments:
nice piece. he needed counselling and medical attention.maybe it shud b made mandatory for students to take all counselling. we can then avoid these freakish tragedies.
Good thoughts. This is certainly a horriffic incident to everyone involved and even more difficult for the victim's families. Actions such as these reflect defeciencies in this society where some of the lesser interactive/mentally weak people get pushed around and bullied. Hopefully everyone will make a conscious effort towards their actions and we will not have to witness incidents such as these anymore.
shilpaa..you write so well..you think a lot ya! this was an amazing piece. I Agree with you that he went thru a lot of torture in life, yet such a step was not somethin he should have taken. But ya definitely, after reading your blog, Im able to curb down my hatred for him! Do keep writing such nice stuff!
Hey Shilpa...good analysis. I would agree on most of the points you have mentioned but not quite on "healing the world". I would say it's sheer frustration n hatred towards his peers added to the inferiority complex that he has built all thru his life. Somebody who would be of a high rationale so as to "heal the world" wouldn't act in such a barbaric manner. It's an attitude of a loser who doesn't know the knack of winning and has hence developed hatred towards the ones winning over him. In this case though, he is not completely to be blamed as you mentioned. People around him too are equally responsible for this. Probably a soothing company in his times of distress could have avoided this massacre.
Hey Shilpa...Read your blog....So you have done a lot of research on the issue I guess....Some things that you have written are true, and I think its true that we need to analyse the details regarding every single issue and incident before judging a situation.
You're right shilpa.. we're still in that shock only.. therez always a question in our mind.. Y????
U wrote it well ..xpressed ur feeling in such a nice way and keep it up...
You write very well.
Shilpa...I do not agree with your analysis of why he committed the crime. I do can relate your reasoning about his improper upbringing and societal impulsion.
If he had reacted as a normal person, your theory might have been a possible explanation. But with his history of several psychiatric visits, I would rather bring up to your notice about possibilities of major psychiatric illness like Major depression, Psychosis, personality disorders,etc.
My logic behind this comment is: Pathological psychiatric condition may not be explained through psychological analysis since the psyche is improper.
Chicago Chinnodu
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