The Tragedy Behind the Tragedy

listening to: Chick Corea Elektric Band on YouTube.com
reading: Black House by Stephen King and Peter Straub

If you have not already done so, check out my entry from September 15, and watch the YouTube video on the accidental student death at my high school alma mater, Tippecanoe Valley. You don’t have to have any previous knowledge about the high school or the people there to get the gist or subtleties of the story. I do not know the gym teacher myself, the high school and the junior high are about ¼ of a mile apart on the same property, and the track is just like any other high school track.

Now, it is logical to ask yourself a lot of questions about how this happened. How did the student get a hold of the teacher’s bicycle, why would the teacher even need a bicycle, what else was going on at the time, and how would a seemingly innocent boo-boo like a bicycle hitting a person result in death? I asked all of these questions myself.

However, I want you to take a look at the links below and read the viewer comments. I am shocked at just how judgmental and conspiracy-minded some of the people are.

From WNDU.com.

From WSBT.com.

Update from WSBT.com.

Here are some of the conspiracy theories offered as reasons why this accident happened: the student riding the bicycle did it on a dare; lack of supervision in the class; was it more than the bike that killed her; stupid students; why are there bikes at the school for kids to ride; administration negligence and not enforcing bullying rules; this was a bullying incident; the parents in the community are to blame for letting their children be all that.

These were all offered by people who were not at the school at the time, and most people were not even Valley grads. There seemed to be such ignorance of the fact, that one person had confusion on the teacher’s gender.

Wanting to know answers is one thing, but throwing out conspiracy and statements of ignorance does not help anyone. Blamestorming is an American pastime, that’s for sure.

And one more comment about the people writing foolish comments: did you notice the grammar and spelling, or lack thereof? There is a certain “consider the source” factor that plays in as well.

Admittedly, I would not have taken notice of this story if it were not in my own high school. It brings new perspective to the struggles that high schools across the nation have. There have been three recent incidents of loaded weapons just down at South Bend Washington High School. Dylan has brought home stories of kids getting themselves thrown out of school for making bombs. It’s prevalent, but easy to ignore.

buck on 10.01.08 @ 09:39 PM EST [link] [No Comments]