What do you do when the unthinkable happens in your own backyard? How do you process a story that defies description or any thought of a reasonable motive.
All of Canada is coming to grips today with the mass shooting at a school in Tumbler Ridge, BC, an otherwise small and quiet community far to the north and east of Vancouver.
Early reports said that eight people, including the female suspect were dead at the school with another two bodies found at a home believed to be connected to the crime.
Dozens of others were injured. The shock is immense. The grief is overwhelming. The healing process will be long, slow and painful.
As someone who will now spend the coming days and weeks reading everything I can on the subject, I have one big piece of advice for you if you choose to do the same.
Be selective and don’t go down the social media rabbit-hole.
Already, I have heard that there were certain bloggers, at least some from south of the border, who are wildly speculating about the shooter and possible motive. That will continue for days if not weeks. Like many things, it will play into the bias and search algorithms and be widely used by those seeking to boost their own viewership at any expense.
Take a moment. Breathe. Pause. Get your information from sources you trust. Treasure the people you love. If they are old enough to understand, answer your kids’ questions with a steady tone and stick to the facts. They can also probably use a hug. For the next few days, we all can.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
