April 17, 2007
Virginia Tech Student's Facebook Group Offers a Way to Grieve
Kevin Robinson, a student at Virginia Tech University, spent late morning and early afternoon Monday under lockdown in a campus lecture hall. When he finally got back to his dorm room, one of his first moves was to log on to Facebook.
With a few keystrokes, Mr. Robinson formed “VT Unite,” a Facebook group that offered students a place to grieve — and to show solidarity — in the wake of the day’s deadly massacre. “After this horrible event,” he wrote on the group’s main page, “it is our responsibility as students and community to unite and support all those affected.”
“When I first thought of starting a group, I was kind of surprised that no one had done it yet,” he says.
Within a day, more than 5,400 students and alumni joined “VT Unite.” Students contributing to the group’s discussion board offered prayers for the families of the deceased and for all of “Hokie nation.” The students helped spread word of a candlelight vigil held last night in Blacksburg, and they posted commemorative images that have already become iconic to many of Virginia Tech’s Facebook users.
One such image — showing Virginia Tech’s logo in front of a black ribbon — has become especially popular. Hundreds of students have changed their profile pictures, which are typically flattering candid photographs, to that icon.
Many Facebook users with no affiliation to Virginia Tech have done so as well. The social network’s “global” users — people, like high-school students and adults without .edu e-mail addresses, who are not connected to college networks — cannot view the “VT Unite” group. But groups that are open to those users have already popped up, and one of the most widely-visited is “VT Unite Global,” which was also created by Mr. Robinson.
Mr. Robinson says he hopes both of his Facebook groups will continue to expand — as signs of support to Virginia Tech students, and, possibly, as tools to raise money for the families of the victims.
“Once we’ve had a little more time to grieve,” he says, “I’d like to use this as a forum to make suggestions about how we could offer some tangible support.” —Brock Read
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Your actions are an act of true inspiration. While truly saddened that you had to go through all that has happened to build a place where all can come for comfort, the fact remains that, because of this, you have brought many together. You have given them a place to grieve, and in turn a place to heal. I commend you, and pray for all who feel the great shadow that is this tragedy upon their shoulders.
— Ben Linzer Apr 18, 02:15 AM #
Yesterday I lit candles for all of you and all of us. All Mother and Fathers across the country have aching hearts.
We all need time – especially the Virginia Tech community.
Much love from this West
Coast Mom .. .and the local fridge/ hangout near our local college!
— Gina Musser Apr 18, 11:49 AM #
Sending love and aloha and prayers to students, friends, parents and family. Our love of learning and love of learners will prevail and bring eventual light to this time of sorrow.
— Nancy Hedlund Apr 18, 12:32 PM #
My prayers are with all of you in this time of great sadness! Please take care of one another.
— April Saylor Apr 18, 03:06 PM #
A wonderful tribute to a terrible tragedy. My prayers to all those affected. United we Stand…
— Mike Apr 19, 04:41 AM #
I’m not from Va and I did not attend Virginia Tech, but I am a college student and this was too close to home, the majority of the people who were killed is such a violent manner were around my age and just knowing they lost their lives for a senseless acts just makes it even worse to cope with. this will take a long time to finish grieveing over an dvene the aching hearts will never end, Just know that everyone feels your pain as well, Rip to the victims and god bless the families of the lost ones.
— Siobhan Nunez Apr 19, 09:44 PM #
I am from Dayton,TN and I am 31 years old and I have started taking classes at the local college.I seen on the news what happened and I am so sorry for everyones lose. My prayers and thoughts and love are said for you everyday.
— Heather Zimmerle Apr 19, 10:07 PM #
I pray for you daily and cannot express how saddened I am by your sorrow and loss. Please be there for one another with kindness and remember that there are many who send healing prayers as you struggle in the days ahead.
— Lin Robbins Apr 21, 07:27 AM #
The events at Virginia Tech have weighed so heavily on my heart. This song and video, “Cry Softly”, is a song I have written to allow us to feel. Those of us with children and all of us who have been children, know the loss of innocence and joy when something as tragic as last week’s experiences happens. Our prayers are how we reach out. It is in our tears we release the pain and move on. We must take the time to feel, to grieve, before we let go. God’s blessing on each and every one of you. If you would like to view the video, just click this link.
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=29adb03a086ee4f6dcb09c&skin_id=0&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url
If it doesn’t ‘click’, you can copy and paste it in the address line.
It’s also available for viewing at www.myspace.com/kimmclean and on youtube.
— joej Apr 26, 08:00 AM #
its really hard to believe that such an incident occured but i sympathize with all the friends and families that were affected by this miserable act! may their souls rest in peace!
— yetunde Apr 26, 11:06 AM #