For those of us who are still grieving Linda's passing this past week, the weeks to come will be some of the hardest we have ever had. Simply put, life is moving on, when some of us are not ready to. But one of the hardest things to deal with so far is the varied inappropriate and insensitive responses across campus--ranging from ignorance to unthinkable disrespect. It's sad that, while the vast majority of students have been very thoughtful and concerned, so many more do not understand basic tact and manners. It is appalling how many people in my immediate community make no effort to empathize with their fellow human beings.
It began on Sunday, when, left without word from the administration, the Hopkins rumor mill began churning. The Daily Jolt lived up to its destructive and hurtful reputation within the community. The general lack of maturity of the students that post on The Daily Jolt has made it clear that Hopkins students cannot handle the responsibility of tasteful, anonymous expression.
There's no telling how many have the gall to cowardly post , but the offenders are all the same: they are smug with the controversy they create without thinking of who they are hurting.
I cannot believe that many of these posters are functional within society, let alone at Hopkins. That anyone would suggest, as one post did, that someone who would take their own life should not be mourned is disgusting. But it's not surprising. The Daily Jolt allows people to post anonymously, and has and will always allow the ugliest thoughts to surface with no consequences. As many have suggested before me, The Jolt's anonymous habit must end, or be shut down.
The Jolt Gods have been cooperative, but they can't end the stream of filth. I beg them now: make the moron posters show their faces, or take away their privileges. Hopkins students are clearly not ready to act like adults with any sense of tact.
Yet sometimes I wonder if adults do learn tact. I began my last semester at Hopkins with a class in which a professor felt the need to remind us that class was cancelled on Wednesday, because "A student has been murdered" (emphasis not my own). My stomach turned. Even those who are not dealing with grief are also dealing with a sense of fear and shock that did not need to be dredged up from our collective shallow bed of sadness. Euphemisms exist for a reason: they spare unnecessary pain.
Even some of my most mature and responsible friends have shown a flippancy that is surprising. Sensing I was upset, one of my friends asked, "Oh, is it that murder thing?"
But maybe I shouldn't fault the individuals. My new teacher and my good friend did not mean any harm. But unintentional harm hurts just as badly. Watching out for the feelings of others is a courtesy that should have been learned in kindergarten. The Hopkins community needs a brush-up on basic manners.
I urge those who do not know what to say, or how to say it, not to say anything. And for those who may need to say something, follow these basic guidelines:
In the next few weeks, do not blurt out "Hi, how are you?" to anyone if you do not have the time to listen. If you cannot think of anything positive to say about the case surrounding Linda's death, don't spread rumors, and if possible, avoid the "M" word. If you know someone who posts on the Daily Jolt, remind them who they affect.
I cannot believe I am compelled to write this column, but I hope that someone may be spared the renewed pain and grief caused by someone who just didn't stop to think before speaking.
--Francesca Hansen is a junior International Studies major.
