In the wake of our collective horror, it is hard to know exactly what to feel or how to react. Indeed, we may have no framework in which to know what to do. However, it is a bit easier to know what a wrong response feels like. Duke's shameful attempt at a prayer vigil Wednesday was a disgrace to this school and the victims of this attack. Duke's notorious embrace of political correctness along with its dedication to appearance over substance has failed to meet the needs of the community once again.
There can be no disagreement that any response to this tragedy based on prejudice and hate is wrong. This message must, and has been delivered to the student body. There are millions of Muslims and Palestinians who are proud Americans and condemn the atrocity of Tuesday morning. No generalizations should put upon them.
With that in mind, what the nation, and University community, needed on Wednesday was to grieve, unite, and to feel whole again. What we received was a political message disguised in the language of three sacred religions. One speaker had the audacity to pray that Duke students consider the anger of our national leaders as an illegitimate response. How dare she.
I would like the planners of the vigil to explain why there was so little focus on the victims of this tragedy and so much focus on possible future victims. Why was there so little patriotism or pride in who we are and what we represent? Are we so afraid of embracing our common American ideals and our flag that we could not even sing "God Bless America" or start the service with our national anthem? In talking with many students, faculty and staff, I realize that I am not alone in feeling that Wednesday's vigil was vacuous and shallow. I urge the administration to put aside their ideologies and politics and help us feel whole again.
Jesse Panuccio
Trinity '03
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