Friend Me On Facebook!
Follow Me On Twitter!
I think everything we’ve talked about in this class can be summed up to “the power of any one’s voice with the use of the internet.” Whether through blogs, social networks, or a variety of other mediums, we all have a choice to let our own voice be heard. I have a very interesting example of this.
One of my best friends from back home in Virginia, Eric Kessler, is a recent graduate of Virginia Tech. It goes without saying that the tragic events that took place on April 16th hit very close to home for him. Like so many, Eric signed online that day and posted his thoughts and feelings on a Facebook group called, “I’m OK at VT.”The purpose of this group was for members of the Blacksburg community to let their friends and family know that they were ok. This group was also used as a chance for people to share their condolences with one another for the great loss the community suffered that day.
The day of the shooting, my friend Eric posted the following on the group message board:
“I don’t know most of you guys, but we’re all Hokies which means we’re family. To all of you who are okay, I am happy for that. For those of you who are in pain or have lost someone close to you … I’m sure you can call on anyone of us for help anytime you need it.
Best wishes and prayers for you all.”
The next morning, Eric received a call; a call from the White House. They wanted his permission to possibly use his words in Bush’s condolence speech. Hours later, from the mouth of the President of the United States of America, Eric’s words were spoken for the whole world to hear.
Asking Eric how he felt about the president using his words, he said, “I felt for that moment the world was watching and my words were representing the entire Hokie Nation. I am proud of what I said and I hope that it encourages everyone.”
This is an incredible example of the power of the internet. Whether we are speaking to just a few close friends, our community, or the whole world, the internet gives us the power to be heard.
Bush’s speech can be heard . It is exactly halfway through the speech and prefaced with, “A recent graduate wrote this,”
