Tragedy reveals the true nature of Moscow
In the wake of a tragedy like the one a week and a half ago, everyone has an opinion, everyone wants to be heard.
Some need to vent to share their experiences and memories of those who passed. Others take the opportunity to explore motives or push an agenda.
Cy Whitling
For those directly and personally affected, this is a natural response. However, in this college town many are affected on a community level, but not a personal level. Too often the focus of what we say is really on ourselves. ‘This is about what I think. This is how this event affected me. This is why I am sad.’ We retreat into ourselves in an attempt to deal with a situation that affects the entire community.
Sometimes, as students, we see ourselves as guests in this community. Maybe you only live here for nine or so months out of the year, and are always eager to escape for break. At times, we can feel disconnected from Moscow, because it’s just where we go to school. It’s during tragedies like these when we’re reminded we are all part of a larger Moscow, it reminds us we can’t truly isolate ourselves from this town.
Because Moscow is so small, an event like this has an incredible affect. Everyone has some sort of personal connection, so it’s hard not to care. This event profoundly impacted our community, but sometimes we seek to react as individuals.
A tragedy like this affects all of us. The reactions of students at home on break cement that sense of community. The traits of Moscow that are so easy to mock, like its size, become an asset in a time like this. As we return from break, resume classes and eventually get back to normal life, we are given daily reminders of the damage done and our community’s reaction to it.
When we look inward and try to respond to this type of tragedy, it is easy to lose sight of what is actually important. Too often we seek to use a tragedy to make us feel better when the community has been affected, not us personally. We can’t cower behind this event and use it as an excuse. Neither can we use it as a soapbox, climbing over it, standing triumphantly on this podium for our agendas.
Moscow is strong. Tragedy has struck before, and it will strike again. As students, these events remind us we are a part of a bigger community. Moscow is more than just the town that holds our school. We are more than just visitors vacationing our way through classes.
In our reaction to tragedy, the true nature of this relationship is revealed.
Don’t lose sight of that community. Don’t look inward, when you should be giving yourself to those around you.
Cy Whitling can be reached at [email protected]