For Eve

Now that I've had time to fully process the whirlwind of events that has occurred over the past several days, it's time to reflect. Or rather, do my best to express my newly-altered perspective of humanity.

Eve Carson is gone. Eve, who I interviewed for countless articles, who loved our school so passionately, who could hardly complete a sentence because her enthusiasm was nearly impossible to contain. I always had a hard time getting good quotes from Eve. But she didn't need to say it-- she did it. Truly, her actions were enough.

But what about the actions of others? What about the two men charged with first degree murder? I'm not sure anyone can forgive them for what they've done. A life in exchange for a few more bills stuffed in their wallets. Despite my aversion to full-fledged hatred, I truly despise those two men, no, boys, for what they've done. These days, any excuse for destruction ought to be aimed solely at eradicating evil. I can't imagine any situation in which they could've been involved that necessitated murder. I really can't.

I know that I'm naive and terribly idealistic, but there must be some solution to ending this violence. It's not gun control, it's not capital punishment. I'd hate to think that economic situation and environment are the main factors that contribute to the creation of either an Eve or a murderer, but I also doubt that a few anti-violence policies will suffice.

Then there's Westboro Baptist Church. What would compel a group of people to say that Eve deserved to die? I don't know what I'll do if they show up to her memorial on Tuesday. I can't understand how a religious sect can believe in such an angry and wrathful God. And what's more, I don't think He'd ever "sacrifice" someone like Eve.

Although I've been horrified by some of the behavior I've witnessed during the last few days, I'm also awestruck. Walking around The Pit Thursday was one of the most heart-wrenching moments of my life. And yet immediately, everyone came together. To cry, to comfort, to reach out. The Daily Tar Heel published one of the finest works of journalism I have ever seen. There was more love emanating out of the crowd during that candlelit vigil than there was anger in the actions of those two murderers, than there still is in the minds of those church members.

My iPod played two relevant songs consecutively today. I could go for the cliche Yellowcard song "View from Heaven," but I think that Eve would want us to stay here a little longer and see if we might be able to change the view for ourselves. Thus, Ben Folds' "Still Fighting It":

It was pain
Sunny days and rain
I knew you'd feel the same things

Everybody knows
It sucks to grow up
And everybody does
It's so weird to be back here.
Let me tell you what
The years go on and
We're still fighting it,
We're still fighting it.