As Jordyn Flows

 [In this short piece I narrow on the direct relationship between the media coverage on the Virgina Tech Shooting and violence. The in depth portrayal of this tragedy does not mitigate anything].

Last night my mom pointed to the TV and suggested that turn my attention to CNN, which was just one of many networks broadcasting the videos from the Virginia Tech killer. I refused to look up at the screen because by me watching this disturbing video, I had fulfilled Cho Seung-Hui’s wishes. Victim’s families are struggling as is, and the media’s exploitation of this video only worsens this catastrophe. One would expect that these networks would have the common decency to respect the people coping with the largest mass shooting in American history.

Furthermore, the airing of this video promotes other students to emulate Seung-Hui’s actions. In fact, five minutes away from my house at the local high school, a student was caught for sending an e-mail in which he and his friends were plotting to copy the tragic Columbine shootings in 2001. It is evident that the Seung-Hui’s video is having the influence that he hoped it would leave. As a result, attending this school was optional on Friday, because lets face it-no one wants to live in fear. Yet this universal fear would not be as amplified had the media created a segment commemorating the victims as well as honoring the heroic actions of that took place on April 16, 2007.