Posted 4:06 pm Friday, September 25, 2009
A Time To Weep, A Time To Heal
By NELSON CLYDE
Publisher
Publisher
Why?
It seems to be the first question we ask in a crisis. Why would a 16 year old kill his teacher? Why does chaos have to disturb our otherwise generally peaceful community? Why do children have to worry about their safety when they attend school? Why does a 52-year-old man have to leave us when he is employed in a profession dedicated to helping kids?
Then we move to "What?" What are we going to do? What will this mean for our town? What could have been done to prevent this? What will people think about Tyler now?
All of these questions offer us an opportunity. We now get the opportunity to let the best qualities of our community shine.
Is there any question this community is one of the most compassionate? Not in my mind. We see the best revealed in and around us when crisis is upon us. Is this one any different? No.
Death is the ultimate non-discriminating partner we encounter in the human experience. It pays no heed to rank, ethnicity, age or the size of one's bank account.
Life then offers us a special form of tyranny in these moments as it continues to march on when our hearts seem to drag the ground with every step. But it moves forward. How we move with it defines us. As our community moves through this crisis we should affirm those qualities that best define us; love, compassion, hope and kindness.
There are many responses to observe in moments of crisis. Sometimes it offers us great opportunity for change not otherwise possible. This is not one of those times. This is a time for reverence for Todd Henry and his family. This is a time to engage as a community with our school district and stay engaged when the crisis subsides.
All of these questions offer us an opportunity. We now get the opportunity to let the best qualities of our community shine.
Is there any question this community is one of the most compassionate? Not in my mind. We see the best revealed in and around us when crisis is upon us. Is this one any different? No.
Death is the ultimate non-discriminating partner we encounter in the human experience. It pays no heed to rank, ethnicity, age or the size of one's bank account.
Life then offers us a special form of tyranny in these moments as it continues to march on when our hearts seem to drag the ground with every step. But it moves forward. How we move with it defines us. As our community moves through this crisis we should affirm those qualities that best define us; love, compassion, hope and kindness.
There are many responses to observe in moments of crisis. Sometimes it offers us great opportunity for change not otherwise possible. This is not one of those times. This is a time for reverence for Todd Henry and his family. This is a time to engage as a community with our school district and stay engaged when the crisis subsides.
There will be many, as there were Wednesday, with what seem to be obvious solutions. Some will say we need more security at our schools, maybe even Tyler police officers instead of campus cops who report to school administrators. Others will want metal detectors and fences erected around campuses. Some will want to build entire new campuses. Some families will want to move their children to a different school.
Each family should act in the best interest of their own children; the school district cannot deal with individual needs in blanket fashion.
All of them may be right. All should be heard. Students should be heard as well. They know what the problems are better than anyone. Will we hear them? If so, how, in what forum, led by whom?
All of them may be right. All should be heard. Students should be heard as well. They know what the problems are better than anyone. Will we hear them? If so, how, in what forum, led by whom?
How should our leaders deal with all of these questions? Could we take a step back and acknowledge the grief the Henry family and this community need to process from this horrific event? Could our school board then take a timely, transparent, community-involved approach to addressing problems on school campuses, including John Tyler?
Why not? After all, this is Tyler, Texas, and we can get it right. What next? Hopefully, the sustained action of an engaged community where making a difference is a way of life for many. But for now, may God rest the soul of Todd Henry and bring comfort to his loved ones.
Why not? After all, this is Tyler, Texas, and we can get it right. What next? Hopefully, the sustained action of an engaged community where making a difference is a way of life for many. But for now, may God rest the soul of Todd Henry and bring comfort to his loved ones.
