Everyone continues through the healing process together.
The California State University, Long Beach community is still in a state of shock after the murder of one of its own in the Paris terror attacks on Nov. 13.
Thousands of saddened 49ers, past and present, gathered on campus on Nov. 15 to celebrate the life of Nohemi Gonzalez, an industrial design student, at a candlelight vigil. The horrific circumstances of her death, halfway around the world by the bullets of terrorists, were not lost on the large crowd of mourners huddled together to keep warm.
After an emotional service held in the University Student Union, which included speeches from Consul General of France Christophe Lemoine and CSU Chancellor Timothy White, Noehmi’s family made their way outside to the choir stage, walking through the packed gathering of candlelit faces.
Students looked into the eyes of grief-stricken loved ones as they passed by, visibly shaken, and cried. As the university choir began to sing. the sense of unity became apparent as the whole campus was brought together by this tragedy.
The following night, Cal State Long Beach expressed its solidarity with Paris by illuminating the Pyramid with the colors of the French flag. Students stopped and took pictures of this incredible sight long into the cold autumn night, uncertain about what was next.
On social media, students echoed the voices of many from around the world expressing their sorrow. “CSULB stands with Paris” was a common phrase posted on many university websites along with photo tributes to Nohemi. Profile pictures over the week changed on a large scale to Jean Jullien’s illustration of the Eiffel Tower peace sign or the overlay of the French flag. Other students shared clips of John Lennon’s song “Imagine” played by a French pianist the day after the attack.
To honor Nohemi, ASI President Jose Salazar on Facebook “called on the students of CSULB to work to continue Noehmi’s legacy; to pay respect to Noehmi and her family by challenging ourselves to make a positive difference in the world; to create a world free of hate and full of inclusion.”
Theatre Arts professor Alexandra Billings stated on Facebook about Paris, “We are with them and so they are with us. And so we stand with each other.” CSULB University President Jane Close Conoley invoked the words of Martin Luther King Jr., stating, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. And so we will care for them greatly and with hope and with grace, we hold them until forever.Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Many students have taken this last message particularly to heart. While it would be easy to get caught up in anger and hate, most are not. This international tragedy hasn’t led to Islamophobia or increased hostility on campus thus far.
There was a notable quietness that was highly unusual in the middle of busy school days. The question everyone seems to be asking is why this awful event occurred. No one has an answer. Many campus groups and clubs, like 49ers for Israel, have spoken out in support of the French people, spreading the message of peace and love.
Makeshift shrines continue to pop up around campus, particularly centered on the Design Department, which served as a second home to Noehmi while she attended our university. Students stood silently in front of these memorials and laid down flowers or candles to pay their respects to Noehmi and Paris.
A large quilt featuring more messages of peace and love was present at the fountain in front of Brotman Hall, one of the school’s main buildings. In support of semester study abroad programs, in which Nohemi was participating while in Paris, The Nohemi Gonzalez Fund to Support International Study has been established in her honor.
As the month draws to a close, the somber mood across campus is still very apparent. Most students did not think international terrorism would ever affect them directly. That illusion has now been shattered. Students hang their heads down walking to class, still trying to grasp the surreal nature of the situation.