This is a time to reflect on tragedy and to slowly come to grips with what we have learned. Our counterparts at Virginia Tech have been affected in life-changing ways, and the last thing any of them deserve to hear right now is what's at fault in their system.
The same could be said of a nation injured again by violence in schools. Before the news has been entirely broken, before we have all the facts straight, the media has already found culprits and weaknesses inherent in a system that has yielded violence before.
Instead, step back, take a deep breath, and address what truly matters in this instance. The welfare of those students impacted by the heinous acts that took place Monday should be at the forefront of the media's attention.
Investigations are well underway and coverage is slowly reaching a comprehensive level. Once the facts are established, people will deserve answers. That will be the appropriate time to analyze flaws and accuse the guilty.
But until then, it's distasteful and insensitive to ask what went wrong, to splash front pages with gory headlines and sensationalized photographs.
Then again, perhaps even we at The Spectrum are jumping the gun.
The Los Angeles Times said it best in their Tuesday editorial: "No newspaper is in a position to criticize anybody for capitalizing on tragedy or taking convenient positions. There will be time for both in the days to come. But now is a time to respect, quietly, the tears and the pain of this terrible event."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
