Some niaeve party ?nd approx. 3 days ago "Oh, Korean Churches are gathering funds for the VT victims-isn't that great? I respond by saying rather than elevating the circumstance and demeaning the victims by offering $$ (who would care about $$ at a time such as this???!!) Rather let us convene as one and use the $$'s to educate the public that we simply all have thoughts, doubts and fears and we should teach our kids that we ALL have something to offer. I got 2 thumbs down-yeah I know that this person probably dosen't have kids and can't see the the "big " picture beyond themselves but that hurt. I know I should'nt care but I really could use a note from someone that basically says" We are only here for a while"
2007-04-24 17:53:01 · 6 answers · asked by Janel 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I am giving U all stars-Everyone responded with wonderful thoughts and comments-I can not pick one above the other, they were all so thought provoking! I am going to let this ? pass onto the vote table for the final star as I am no Solomon-but thank you to all who took the time to respond, I truly appreciate the comments!
2007-04-25 06:35:16 · update #1
I agree with what you've stated.
Don't take the "thumbs down" to heart ( I get tons of thumbs down) . Most people just use the thumbs to say that they either agree or disagree with what you said...nothing personal. For instance I gave evrybody above me a thumbs up, because I happen to agree with them, could have gone the other way or nothing at all. Believe me, many people have no problem telling you they hate you...they'll e-mail you or edit their own post to make it quite clear.
Sadly, it is the latter behavior that leads to things like school shootings. While I in NO way condone the taking of a life; but, I do see that this VT kid was really harassed and tormented...his weakened mental state was finally broken completely....even after his death one of his aunts called him an "idiot" on a nationally broadcast interview.
Stiff upper lip and carry on like a good soldier now :-)
2007-04-24 20:53:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm.....I see both sides. Think about the victims' families - maybe they need the money to provide a proper burial for their loved ones. Or maybe they would like it to set up a memorial fund for others who were just like their loved ones.
But as a general offering of sympathy? I agree with you that that's probably the last thing on their minds. What they really need is emotional support.
As for educating folks, that's always a need - even when there isn't a tragedy such as this. What boggles the mind is that there were plenty of signs that this individual was very sick in the head, and they were basically ignored. Maybe a good use of money is to provide help for people who are in that young man's situation - clearly disturbed and needing something more than he was getting from home or school.
You are right - we are only here for a short time. We have no control over that, but boy we sure can at least control how we behave while we're here. That's what needs to be taught.
2007-04-25 01:06:33 · answer #2 · answered by SoWeetie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I very much agree with you. While it is a lovely gesture to raise the money and may help some of the misplaced guilt that the Korean population is feeling (his race had nothing to do with it... his feeling out of place in the world had everything to do with it), I think education of our youth is the key.
We do need to teach our kids that nothing is so bad as to take your own life or the life of another. Suicide is a very selfish act even though I can certainly understand where that seems like the only solution to the pain. Murdering others in an effort to make a point is just futile.
I am so sad for the many victims of the VT massacre, but money isn't going to fix that. Like you say, teaching the children is the better way to go about that.
2007-04-25 01:18:51 · answer #3 · answered by TarotByArwen 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You have a good solution for the use of the money collected for this tragedy. It does not matter whether we individually have kids or not, this would be a good time to educate them and the rest of the public too. I don't know why you got two thumbs down. Your opinion is a well thought out and sensitive opinion.
2007-04-25 02:33:02 · answer #4 · answered by Patti C 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you sincerely. There are just too much racial stereotyping and ignorant hatred in this world.
It's just that nowadays, people feel that words are not enough and often relate remorse to money. So whenever anybody suffer a lost of a life or a limb, the automatic response is money compensation and many people DO care a lot about the money.
2007-04-25 08:06:12 · answer #5 · answered by minijumbofly 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree that there is no need to raise money for that sort of situation. As to the thumbs down, people do that all the time at YA. You just have to get use to it. You should come over to the Religion and Spirituality section if you want to see people using their thumbs all the time. Ignore it, means nothing. Stupid people are everywhere.
2007-04-25 02:31:34 · answer #6 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋