therain writes in Stranger Forums…

I went by the scene of the shooting this morning and talked to a couple of the young people gathered there. They were furious at the radio talkshow people who apparently have been blaming the victims and the whole rave scene for this atrocity. I just said that nothing I read in the mainstream media (including the Stranger, Weekly, Times, PI, KOMO, KING5, CBS etc) suggested there was anything about their community, the dance at CHAC or the party, that could explain this evil act. The kids were very appreciative of every gesture of kindness from the neighborhood and the more responsible media. But the support seems pretty skimpy, compared to the enormity of this trauma, especially as it affects some very young kids (young teen guys, too, not just girls). They all say they’re fine, they have each other, they can take care of each other… But they’re a bunch of traumatized grieving kids! Whole swarms of trauma debriefing specialists show up after school shootings and other disasters but here, the caring adults seem pretty scarce. I would say, don’t wait until the formal memorial service tomorrow, join the vigil at the scene tonight and show these young people that you care! And maybe bring something warm.