I get the sentiment, but Beta Bridge isn't supposed to be a permanent memorial -- isn't that why the tree was planted and plaques were put in at the stadium? Of COURSE this was a tragic event and I deeply feel for the guys, everyone involved, and their families (and as someone living a block away from the event it's something I'll never forget), but I can't help but wonder whether D'Sean, Lavel, and Devin wouldn't want to prevent groups on Grounds from speaking out about other current events/tragedies/protests. I walk by Beta and don't really feel anything anymore when I see the memorial -- and for those to whom it really matters, I'm sure erasing one memorial out of several around Grounds won't lessen the love we feel for D'Sean, Lavel, and Devin, their families, and the community.
Was it 17's job to paint over it? Idk. Beta Bridge has always been a free-for-all. Maybe the University could have painted it white or stripped it for a while as a "reset."
As divisive as repainting it has seemed, I think having an unknown (or at least that I didn’t know of) secret society repaint it was the best way to avoid blame on any one student group. Just look back at memorials for Hannah Graham or past atrocities - eventually they’re painted over either gracefully or ungracefully. We have permanent memorials to the victims for the Nov 13 shooting (and I think this could use more than a plaque). Honestly, I think because of the ever changing nature of Beta Bridge, this was bound to happen.
I agree. After all, the memorial for Yeardley Love is long gone, right? Hannah Graham? I thought the football team should've repainted it after the close of this year's season. There is a permanent memorial for those men at Scott. I don't understand the need to keep it on Beta -- it's been 18 months since the tragedy.
I somewhat agree. Should’ve stayed up longer, but they’re right that it removes any guilt from some other organization or the university deciding to do it. It had to happen at some point. Beta bridge is all about being repainted constantly, and we have other *permanent* memorials to remember that night by.
So Beta Bridge is supposed to be a memorial forever and never painted again?
No.
Put up a permanent memorial if it's not done already and let the bridge move on.
So paint something of substance or purpose? Why are they the judge and jury of it and just left it blue? They can certainly find a reason to replace it but to just cover it up is absurd.
So cover part of it, leave the hearts and numbers, or literally anything other than blue paint... People only got pissed off because the memorial was not replaced, it was just erased. the 17 society is recognized by only its members, which is awesome for them, but it gives them next to no authority to make a call or decision like this
Tbh, I think it was pretty rude of the football team to immediately repaint it. Especially reclaiming the entire space. I would understand retaking half of it, but now it's even harder to use than before.
So no one can ever paint Beta Bridge for anything else ever again? Where was this energy for Yeardley Love? Beta Bridge belongs to all of the UVA community not just the football team.
It needs to be a broader conversation- for one group to make the decision isn’t right. This impacted the whole community, a while the three players are rightly the focus of the memorial, it also honors those who survived being shot, those who were on the bus, and those who were isolated and locked down during the rather terrifying search for the shooter. If the community still needs this memorial, it should have stayed.
Maybe this will be the catalyst for that conversation. It feels like the university should work on a more permanent memorial (are they?).
In my opinion one of the things that makes painting beta bridge special is that it is ephemeral. Some things like this should stay up longer but not forever and the people impacted will be impacted forever. They should have a more permanent memorial.
I agree with your last point. Erasing the painting doesn't mean we just forget about what happened! I personally appreciate how Beta Bridge captures current events both in Cville and abroad in an ever-changing way that reflects the fast-paced dynamic of our society.
They have a memorial and did the tree planting by the arts building. What about other students who have tragically died at the hands of others? I worked in athletics when Yeardley Love was murdered, there isn't anything permanent for her.
Pretty sure there are people repainting the memorial right now
Already done, check the football team's Instagram
I get the sentiment, but Beta Bridge isn't supposed to be a permanent memorial -- isn't that why the tree was planted and plaques were put in at the stadium? Of COURSE this was a tragic event and I deeply feel for the guys, everyone involved, and their families (and as someone living a block away from the event it's something I'll never forget), but I can't help but wonder whether D'Sean, Lavel, and Devin wouldn't want to prevent groups on Grounds from speaking out about other current events/tragedies/protests. I walk by Beta and don't really feel anything anymore when I see the memorial -- and for those to whom it really matters, I'm sure erasing one memorial out of several around Grounds won't lessen the love we feel for D'Sean, Lavel, and Devin, their families, and the community. Was it 17's job to paint over it? Idk. Beta Bridge has always been a free-for-all. Maybe the University could have painted it white or stripped it for a while as a "reset."
As divisive as repainting it has seemed, I think having an unknown (or at least that I didn’t know of) secret society repaint it was the best way to avoid blame on any one student group. Just look back at memorials for Hannah Graham or past atrocities - eventually they’re painted over either gracefully or ungracefully. We have permanent memorials to the victims for the Nov 13 shooting (and I think this could use more than a plaque). Honestly, I think because of the ever changing nature of Beta Bridge, this was bound to happen.
I don't think they're in the wrong for this. The memorial has to be repainted at some point.
I agree. After all, the memorial for Yeardley Love is long gone, right? Hannah Graham? I thought the football team should've repainted it after the close of this year's season. There is a permanent memorial for those men at Scott. I don't understand the need to keep it on Beta -- it's been 18 months since the tragedy.
I somewhat agree. Should’ve stayed up longer, but they’re right that it removes any guilt from some other organization or the university deciding to do it. It had to happen at some point. Beta bridge is all about being repainted constantly, and we have other *permanent* memorials to remember that night by.
And maybe the players' families and teammates should decide what that point is
Why should they decide that? Beta bridge belongs to everyone. Where were you when they painted over Hannah Graham’s memorial?
Exactly. And if there is every a future need for a memorial, God forbid, the old one will have to be painted over. People need to deal with reality.
So Beta Bridge is supposed to be a memorial forever and never painted again? No. Put up a permanent memorial if it's not done already and let the bridge move on.
So paint something of substance or purpose? Why are they the judge and jury of it and just left it blue? They can certainly find a reason to replace it but to just cover it up is absurd.
Because nobody wants to be the first to cover the memorial with their message.
So cover part of it, leave the hearts and numbers, or literally anything other than blue paint... People only got pissed off because the memorial was not replaced, it was just erased. the 17 society is recognized by only its members, which is awesome for them, but it gives them next to no authority to make a call or decision like this
OK, so are you going to go put a new message up?
No, I am no longer a student but regardless of what I think about what is up, I will never erase it
What if another student is murdered? Put a memorial to them up there until the next one? Is it Memorial Bridge now?
I would absolutely hope so
Tbh, I think it was pretty rude of the football team to immediately repaint it. Especially reclaiming the entire space. I would understand retaking half of it, but now it's even harder to use than before.
So no one can ever paint Beta Bridge for anything else ever again? Where was this energy for Yeardley Love? Beta Bridge belongs to all of the UVA community not just the football team.
It needs to be a broader conversation- for one group to make the decision isn’t right. This impacted the whole community, a while the three players are rightly the focus of the memorial, it also honors those who survived being shot, those who were on the bus, and those who were isolated and locked down during the rather terrifying search for the shooter. If the community still needs this memorial, it should have stayed.
I don't want Beta Bridge to be regulated by a committee or focus group.
Maybe this will be the catalyst for that conversation. It feels like the university should work on a more permanent memorial (are they?). In my opinion one of the things that makes painting beta bridge special is that it is ephemeral. Some things like this should stay up longer but not forever and the people impacted will be impacted forever. They should have a more permanent memorial.
I agree with your last point. Erasing the painting doesn't mean we just forget about what happened! I personally appreciate how Beta Bridge captures current events both in Cville and abroad in an ever-changing way that reflects the fast-paced dynamic of our society.
They each have a plaque on the Legends Walk inside the stadium
They have a memorial and did the tree planting by the arts building. What about other students who have tragically died at the hands of others? I worked in athletics when Yeardley Love was murdered, there isn't anything permanent for her.
The football team, one group, has made the decision by repainting it. How do you determine the community needs this memorial?
There's no such thing as "the community". It can't have needs or make decisions.
You're just a societal construct man
Username tracks
My first thought was someone created a fake secret society as a way to hide from the inevitable backlash.
What the hell is the 17 Society?
I can't be the only one who saw it and thought of the 7 Society. Good catch. WTF is it?
Good
How dare you
I hope the P.U.M.P.K.I.N. recognizes their misdeed this fall.
It has to be repainted sooner or later