Tonight, with deep sadness, I watched the televised memorial service in Arizona. The pain felt by the friends and families of the injured and killed is simply unimaginable to those of us who have not experienced such a loss. It is admirable that the University of Arizona took a leadership role in paying tribute to the victims and I thank them for opening their campus to the world. I thank President and Mrs. Obama for representing our nation in extending our collective condolences to those touched by this tragedy.
While one life is not more precious or valuable than another, I suspect we are all particularly saddened by the loss of an innocent child’s life. Christina-Taylor Green seemed to have lived her short life with richness, fullness, compassion, and gusto, but she was robbed of the opportunity to become all that she dreamed of being. It took my breath away to learn that this child, who died a victim of senseless violence, was born during another horrific day of senseless violence on September 11, 2001. How can life be so unfair to one beautiful little being or so cruel to her loving family? Those born on September 11th represented our national hope for a brighter, more secure future. They were the ones who would finally get it right.
I think we all welcomed the opportunity to honor those now departed and to communicate to Congresswoman Gifford and her husband that they are in our thoughts and prayers and that we look forward to celebrating her full recovery. But as I watched the memorial service, I couldn’t help but be embarrassed for the people of Arizona and for all Americans–and in fact deeply outraged–that while some were suffering so profoundly, there were many in the audience (presumably students) who seemed to think that they were at a pep rally or political convention. One wonders if some saw this as the social event of the year, or a material for a new page in the college scrapbook, rather than an opportunity to reflect upon our national grief and show our collective support to those who need to know that we care. The behavior of the audience was nothing short of appalling.
We do want to celebrate the lives of those taken too early from this earth, but interrupting the President’s somber, respectful and inspirational speech, as though he was delivering it from the Convention floor, was astonishing. It was right for our elected officials to be there, but shocking that the audience didn’t seem to understand the context of their remarks or the fact that tonight, they spoke not as elected officials trying to score points, but as representatives of the people—all people—of the United States of America. The president’s discomfort with the inappropriate audience response was obvious.
President Obama’s speech paid appropriate homage to those whose lives were lost and I thank him for offering the gratitude of a nation to those whose bravery saved lives. The president’s sadness was genuine and I appreciate that he brought our nation together to mourn, to provide solace and to engender hope.
Thank you, President Obama, for reminding us that none of us can possibly know what motivated the killer, what was going on in his head, or what pushed him over the edge. Thank you for reminding us that it is the murderer who is at fault for these horrific actions. Thank you for encouraging us to learn personally from this, for reminding us that each day is precious and that none of us ever knows which day will be our last. Thank you for admonishing each of us to ask if we are living our lives well and right, if we are honoring our families appropriately, and if we are contributing to our communities as we should. Thank you for highlighting how important it is that we have loved.
To the administrators at the University of Arizona, I’m sure you never thought you would need to tell your students how to behave at a memorial service, but sadly it would appear that you did. Among your students is at least one who knows how to think about someone other than himself. Daniel Hernandez acted quickly and decisively to save Congresswoman Gifford’s life, and the essence of his spirit—his intelligence, humility and poise—were well displayed in his very appropriate and heartfelt remarks. He was not shouting or whistling. He knows the gruesome truth.
I have great faith in young Americans, but the behavior exhibited at tonight’s memorial service gives me great pause and great concern.
I extend my deepest sympathy to the victims of this tragedy, including those who were not at the grocery store but who now find themselves forced to cope, grieve, mourn, and somehow find a way to pick up the pieces and make sense of the senseless. We will not forget you, nor will we forget your loved ones who, in honoring the principles of American democracy, lost so much.
14 Responses to Memorial Service or Pep Rally?
lexalexander - January 14, 2011 at 10:16 am
The Tucson event was put together by organizers as a “community rally.” It was the national who took it upon themselves to report incorrectly that it was a “memorial service.” Because that’s never happened before, that the national media got something wrong.
lexalexander - January 14, 2011 at 10:23 am
“It was the national MEDIA who …”
lexalexander - January 14, 2011 at 10:25 am
I would also add that the REPUBLICAN mayor of Tucson, Bob Walkup, had this to say when asked if the cheering was appropriate: “Oh yes. Yes! If there was one thing that was appropriate, it was cheering. I’ve been in the hospital, and the people that are healing, they want to hear people cheer.”
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47538.html
steveholland - January 14, 2011 at 10:56 am
As a Tucsonan for 40 years, a UA alum, and a UA employee for 29 years, I am sharing the shock and pain of so much loss with my community. I also had the priviledge of being part of the incredible marathon organizing group that planned this event with little more than a day’s notice. As I stepped into a packed McKale Center, I was also initially taken aback by the almost festive mood inside. However, it quickly became clear that this event was as much about celebrating the lives of those lost and the heroism displayed on that terrible day as it was about sharing the sadness of those left behind.
There were other reasons why attendees were motivated to clap and yell. We already live in a state that has been dealing with a negative national image associated with illegal immigration. Now we are faced with having this beautiful southwest community identified with a heinous event that does NOT represent the people or the attitudes of this place. The people attending Wednesday’s event wanted the grieving families, our leaders, and the national spotlight to see that Tucson is far better than that. Nothing illustrated this better than the descriptions of those lost, and the impact they had on their families and community. Some may have considered the celebratory behavior of attendees to be an irreverent response, but there is no doubt that those in attendance were fully united in their need to heal and to make this an even better place for the future.
atitcomb - January 14, 2011 at 11:00 am
As a member of the audience in the outside venue that evening, I will state that the vibe was of positive support for the families, victims, heroes and fellow community members. Not everyone expects somber quietness.
I also recall my own father’s “wake” where a colleague said to me afterward, “I feel a little funny saying this, but I had a GOOD time… Thank You for inviting me.” For me, healing comes from this type of joyful celebration of people’s lives, not embarrassment.
sahmphd - January 14, 2011 at 12:16 pm
My reactions were similar to those of the author. President Obama’s speech was superb but it was an odd event — one that mixed the genres of political pep rally and memorial. Perhaps this is what the organizer’s wanted … a new kind of event (hence, the phrase “community rally” which, to be honest, I had not heard or read until reading the responses). Personally, I wanted/needed a memorial service … not a pep rally. As well, I don’t think President Obama’s remarks were designed for any kind of rally. They were designed for a memorial.
anon1972 - January 14, 2011 at 12:27 pm
I think people just wanted to express their sense of being part of a community of people who had come together to embrace the sentiments the President was expressing — the same kind of feeling that is expressed in Church by saying “Amen” at the end of a prayer recited by the pastor, or by one member of the congregation. You can’t logically say “Amen” to a speech or eulogy, so people expressed their feeling of community support and solidarity by clapping. Clapping isn’t necessarily “festive” or political. It’s just a way of saying “This person speaks for me too,” or “you have my support for what you are expressing.”
The comments of those above who attended suggest that the mood in the venue itself was not mistaken for “festivity” but correctly understood as an outpouring of community solidarity.
renprof - January 14, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Is this still the Chronicle of Higher Education, or has it become a branch of Fox News?
I think Jon Stewart put it best: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-january-13-2011/veiled-criticism
mainiac - January 14, 2011 at 2:32 pm
The tee shirts were from Obama campaign political operatives….
ddonner641 - January 14, 2011 at 4:06 pm
lexalexander:
Might you enlighten us as to the relevance of the political affiliation of the Mayor of Tucson to the matters discussed in the original post?
marktropolis - January 14, 2011 at 4:27 pm
So, Diane Auer Jones is in a position to critique how one community decided to mourn their own loses? Have you become the arbiter in what is “right” in memorial services?
If memory serves, the Wellstone service received some of the same critique – that it was more political rally than memorial service.
Thanks, renprof, for the link.
ddonner641 – I think lexalexander was pointing to the bipartisan nature of how the service was viewed – in that while there are some in the GOP nationally (and Fox News) who have critiqued the service, there’s was at least one Republican (an elected one at that) who thought it was just fine.
atitcomb - January 15, 2011 at 12:41 am
Another local TUCSON perspective for those interested:
http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/opinion/report/011411_giffords_memorial_my_take/
livefreeordie2 - January 17, 2011 at 5:19 am
It’s a little late now, but a few thoughts. First, it was indeed disconcerting. The families of those who died were clearly in deep distress and I’m not sure how appropriate the pep rally aspects were, especially for them. I think Obama was also taken aback. . . he remarks seem to have been prepared with a more solemn occasion in mind.
That said, perhaps Tucson wanted and needed a pep rally. Certainly, to have such a tragic event in their city, along with all the drug crime, the illegal aliens, and the lack of support from the federal government, must create a pretty depressing atmosphere. And while I personally would have focused on the needs of the actual victims – perhaps by having a memorial service and then a separate pep rally – as long as the victim’s families are okay with it, it was probably a good thing for the city. Obama was outstanding in the way he turned his speech from solemn to almost motivational! He is not Bill Clinton – his speaking style will always seem somewhat detached and professorial – but as I’ve seen someone else write, it was the first time in two years that it felt like he was everyone’s president and that’s a good thing.
Renprof – I sympathize. If CHE continues to include viewpoints other than yours, you might inadvertently be exposed to the truth, realize that your liberal views are wrong, and have your entire existence called into question. Don’t take the chance! Have your computer locked onto the Daily Kos so that everything you believe becomes self-reinforcing!
marktropolis – Of course Diane Auer Jones is in a position to critique. She’s been asked to blog on CHE. It gives her an ideal position, just as our ability to comment gives us a position. I may be wrong, but I don’t think topics are assigned to the bloggers, so any of the 10 liberal bloggers could have written something inspiring. Instead, they are busy trying to blame the whole thing on Sarah Palin or the fact that humans supposedly aren’t biologically equipped to handle our own inventions. And btw, this was nothing like the Wellstone service. Rally or not, the Tucson gathering was respectful and a show of unity. The Wellstone Memorial turned into a political rally where Republican Senators who came to pay their respects were actually booed. It backfired and was probably the reason that Norm Coleman won the Senate race that year.
lexalexander - January 20, 2011 at 2:09 pm
@ddonner641: marktropolis has it right. Most (though not all) of the criticism I heard of the “tone” of the event came from those who 1) weren’t there; 2) aren’t from Tucson and 3) nominally and/or philosophically sit on my (i.e., the Republican) side of the aisle.
Organizers had one kind of event in mind. The many thousands who attended were not mind readers and may well have come not knowing, understanding or caring about the intent of the organizers. Ditto the president, although he has a staff that’s supposed to clue him in on those things.
One final thought: No matter who you are, there are at least two countries in the world where you do not speak the language and never will: other people’s marriages and other people’s grief.