My friend Bob Meraz, who runs Basement Hip Hop, a hip hop record store and label in the San Fernando Valley, sent out an open letter to his customers about the shootings at Virginia Tech. I thought it was quite moving, and worth sharing more widely. Here’s Bob, from his open letter:
I fear that many of us will dismiss this shooting as a case in which a disturbed young man “snapped” and in an emotional state went about his violent rampage. Now while this may be a fitting description – and if this young man was captured before he took his own life, I would be the first to demand swift and stern justice – let us not neglect our moral obligation to turn judgment’s eye upon ourselves. Would we not hold responsible the gardener who allowed a weed to go undisturbed to the point that it destroyed the budding roses? As I age in mind and soul, it has become abundantly clear that America has bred a culture of violence. We’ve become increasingly callous and cynical. I’m afraid that we have lost sight of the big picture. And not until we learn to extinguish the plurality that divides us, will we begin to gain sight of the ultimate goal of peace among men. Is the sense of loss and grievance reserved for only the families and friends of those that were murdered, or perhaps family, friends, and family friends and friends of friends? It is only when we develop the sensitivity to truly and sincerely empathize with the pain and suffering that our fellow citizens endure, no matter the distance in time or space, can we earnestly claim to be “One nation under God.” Imagine the level of concern that each of us would feel if this was one of our neighboring colleges. Well… I believe “neighboring” is simply a matter of perspective. When one views the landscape from the peaks of the Himalayas, all villages are connected.
To this end, I hope that the massacre that took place in Virginia at the very least caused each one of us to stop and reflect and take stock in our contribution to this collective consciousness. I wonder how many of us watched the highlights on the evening news and then eagerly prepared for the next episode of 24, not giving this tragedy a second thought? Let us take responsibility and start carefully tending to our garden. Whether it is being patient with a new waitress on the job, a polite honk instead of the slamming of the horn and waving of the middle finger, or perhaps choosing not to cheer for fights during hockey games, every day presents us with opportunities to make a difference. I must admit at times it is quite difficult to take advantage of these opportunities; too many times the moments are fleeting, like the pigeon that zips past our windshields while we sit in traffic, but we must be committed to doing our best to bring about the winds of change. As the mighty Ox plows through mulch and mud, we must tread this path with steadfast determination. As Mahatma Gandhi pleaded, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” As for myself, after this recent tragedy, coupled with the violence that persists in the Middle East, I have seen enough and yearn for a change of scenery.
To those now grieving lost ones in Blacksburg, I am sorry. Sorry for the suffering that you are experiencing and sorry for not tending better care of our garden.