We at The Hofstra Chronicle would like to send our deepest condolences to the families and friends affected by the tragedies at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. This is something none of us could possibly fathom going through or experiencing and hope they find peace soon.
Millions are expressing their anger around the United States right now, which to many is completely justifiable when hearing the story of a man shooting his mother, a teacher, and five other faculty members and 20 children, aged 5-10, according to NBC News.
As President Obama mentioned in his address today, the children lost will never experience another birthday, first love, graduation or marriage, all of which were taken away from them so cruelly this morning.
With the crunch of finals, it might be difficult to connect yourselves with these families. We are only college students enjoying the end of our adolescence, but to know that there are 20 children that will not be able to one day come to Hofstra and experience what we do incredibly disturbs us.
No child or parent should ever feel unsafe at a school. But we’ve seen this before at Columbine High School and Virginia Tech. And during the aftermath of each of these events we heard the vow from politicians that this would never happen again.
And each of those instances it has not been the final time.
As the reality sinks in, gun control makes its way back to the table, as many plead for stricter laws. The reality is that guns cannot be completely outlawed in the nation, however there must be more restrictions on who has the right to obtain one.
What does need to improve is security for especially children everywhere. A drastic increase in armed security guards could create jobs and maybe, just maybe can save lives. But we must remember the strength that comes with a united community, and how helping each other can create a more positive society.
It’s breakfast time on the east coast and 20 families will eat without a child this morning as an unfathomable coping process begins in Connecticut.
The least we can do is send our prayers and hope, like we have in the past, and continue to hope that truly one day nothing like this will ever happen again.