By Stephen Stirling
In northern Queens, which boasts a large population of Korean immigrants, the Virginia Tech massacre hit a particularly personal chord, leaving the community struggling to grieve alongside the nation while attempting to separate themselves from the man who took the lives of nearly three dozen people.
In northern Queens, which boasts a large population of Korean immigrants, the Virginia Tech massacre hit a particularly personal chord, leaving the community struggling to grieve alongside the nation while attempting to separate themselves from the man who took the lives of nearly three dozen people.
Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old Korean immigrant, opened fire on classmates and faculty at the Blacksburg, Va. school April 16, killing at least 32 people in the worst shooting incident in U.S. history.
Christine Colligan, a South Korean immigrant and parent coordinator for JHS 189Q in Flushing, said the killings have deeply affected the Korean-American population, but it is important to understand that they played no role in what happened at Virginia Tech.
"The Korean community is really saddened by it, but it's not just a Korean community problem. It's an American affair," she said.
"We're united from all different countries," she added. "We're all being part of America. We grieve as Americans and as Korean-Americans, not just as Koreans."
More than 150 Korean-Americans attended a memorial service, one of several held throughout Queens, at Hyo Shin Bible Presbyterian Church in Flushing last Thursday to mourn for those lost and pray for the families of the victims. Parishioners prayed in silence, some gently rocking back and forth, as members of the clergy read passages from the Bible in Korean.
Rev. N.J. L'Heureux, executive director of the Queens Federation of Churches, told parishioners through a translator that ethnic background played no role in what occurred at Virginia Tech.
"I am mindful of your concerns and your special connection to this tragedy," he said. "But let me affirm, as strongly as I can, that our identity together as human beings and thus as children of the one creator, God, places no one nearer or further from the one that caused this terrible, terrible tragedy."
The Korean American Association of Central Queens canceled a dinner planned for last Thursday, which was expected to draw more than 300, to allow people to attend church services and grieve with their families.
Jonathan Moon, a high school student from Bayside, said he was shocked to hear the shooter was a Korean native and worried about a potential backlash against the Korean community. He said the racially motivated attack against two ChineseAmericans in Douglaston last year tells him that there are racial tensions that exist in the region.
"It's so sad. All those people, what makes someone do something like that?" Moon said. "Of course, after what happened (in Douglaston, you get worried about something happening."
Both state Assemblywoman Ellen Young (D-Flushing) and YKASEC - Empowering the Korean American Community have been monitoring any possible retributions against Koreans in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre, but as of Tuesday nothing had been reported.
"Obviously many people are concerned about the possible backlash," YKASEC Executive Director Yu-Soung Mn said. "I'd say our country handled the tragedy well so far."
Anyone who witnesses a racially motivated crime is asked to call YKASEC at 718-460-5600 or Young's office at 718-939-0195.
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
"The Korean community is really saddened by it, but it's not just a Korean community problem. It's an American affair," she said.
"We're united from all different countries," she added. "We're all being part of America. We grieve as Americans and as Korean-Americans, not just as Koreans."
More than 150 Korean-Americans attended a memorial service, one of several held throughout Queens, at Hyo Shin Bible Presbyterian Church in Flushing last Thursday to mourn for those lost and pray for the families of the victims. Parishioners prayed in silence, some gently rocking back and forth, as members of the clergy read passages from the Bible in Korean.
Rev. N.J. L'Heureux, executive director of the Queens Federation of Churches, told parishioners through a translator that ethnic background played no role in what occurred at Virginia Tech.
"I am mindful of your concerns and your special connection to this tragedy," he said. "But let me affirm, as strongly as I can, that our identity together as human beings and thus as children of the one creator, God, places no one nearer or further from the one that caused this terrible, terrible tragedy."
The Korean American Association of Central Queens canceled a dinner planned for last Thursday, which was expected to draw more than 300, to allow people to attend church services and grieve with their families.
Jonathan Moon, a high school student from Bayside, said he was shocked to hear the shooter was a Korean native and worried about a potential backlash against the Korean community. He said the racially motivated attack against two ChineseAmericans in Douglaston last year tells him that there are racial tensions that exist in the region.
"It's so sad. All those people, what makes someone do something like that?" Moon said. "Of course, after what happened (in Douglaston, you get worried about something happening."
Both state Assemblywoman Ellen Young (D-Flushing) and YKASEC - Empowering the Korean American Community have been monitoring any possible retributions against Koreans in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre, but as of Tuesday nothing had been reported.
"Obviously many people are concerned about the possible backlash," YKASEC Executive Director Yu-Soung Mn said. "I'd say our country handled the tragedy well so far."
Anyone who witnesses a racially motivated crime is asked to call YKASEC at 718-460-5600 or Young's office at 718-939-0195.
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
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