A concert to help the university community move forward in the aftermath of the April tragedy at Virginia Tech is scheduled for 6 Sept at Lane Stadium.

The University's decision to have a New York rapper, Nas, known for his violent lyrics shows a blatant lack of respect for the people killed in the April 16 shooting rampage.  Nas, who in one 1999 track chants, "Shoot 'em up, just shoot 'em up, what?" followed by whispers of "Kill, kill, kill, murder, murder, murder."

The lyrics are indicative of the moral decay in our society that contributes to acts of violence.  For a university official,  Chris Clough (jcclough@vt.edu), to condone it or to be clueless of what this person's track record is, it's unconscionable beyond belief.

Alicia Farrell, whose brother, Jarrett Lane, was one of the students killed by gunman Seung Hui Cho, said she believes there is a time and place for such music -- but not at a concert meant to commemorate the victims and comfort the survivors of the worst shooting in U.S. history. Cho, a senior from Fairfax County, killed 32 students and faculty members and himself.

The decision by the University reflects an insensitivity that has been endemic in the state's and the university's treatment of the victims' families.

The time is now for the students, alumni and VT friends and family to step up and let the University administrators know that this is not the time nor place for the rapper Nas to unite the HOKIES.  Let your voice be heard and GO HOKIES!!