Viewpoints

Qureshi was much more than a tragic event

We spent six weeks together in London on a University study abroad program.

I learned much about myself and my world last summer, and Natasha was a large part of that. I want people to know that she was much more than one tragic aspect of her life.

As a friend of Natasha, I was hurt and upset by the Daily's coverage of the situation. It was inappropriate to have a journalist at the memorial service because it was supposed to be a comfortable place where people who knew Natasha could share their feelings and emotions.

When I read the Wednesday article, "Friends gather to remember LSA senior" (3-10-99), I felt extremely violated because I had shared with the group because I felt safe.

I was also offended that the Daily paraphrased students at the memorial who could not reconcile Natasha's composed and mature appearance with the act she committed.

These students went on to assume that her togetherness must have been a facade covering an unstable interior. I do not think that they are in a position to make that judgement.

In addition, it was inappropriate for the Daily to quote Chris's family at such a vulnerable point and take what they said to reach conclusions about Natasha's general character. "Friends remember Groesbeck" (3-11-99). His family definitely has a right to grieve and mourn the loss of an incredible person, but it was not necessary to do it publicly and in a manner that is detrimental to those who are mourning the loss of Natasha.

Publishing excerpts from a letter that she wrote to Chris is a blatant disregard for privacy. The excerpts did not provide any further information about the situation and were completely unnecessary for the story.

Perhaps in the competitive world of journalism it is more important to get the story first than to get the story right, but the Daily is a student publication that should be more concerned with how sensitive stories affect students.

I do not think that it is fair that Natasha's entire life was judged in the context of one moment in her life. To me she was a wonderful person and what happened early that morning was an aberration with horrible consequences.

- This viewpoint was written by LSA sophomore Kelsey Cameron, who can be reached over e-mail at kjcamero@umich.edu.

03-18-99