OPINION: Why these seven words of sympathy after a tragedy deserve praise not scorn
by the national media. Since then, public officials, first responders, community leaders and media spokesmen have parroted these words when addressing the victims’ families of mass shootings, accidents, natural disasters and military casualties.
Bryan Menefee, who lives in the neighborhood, kneels in front of the memorial set up at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Old National Bank employee, Connor Sturgeon, reportedly shot and killed 5 people and wounded several others the day before. To be fair, most people who convey their condolences via their"thoughts and prayers" sincerely do so, with genuine concern and compassion for those suffering personal loss or death of a loved one. They are sending a simple message of shared grief:"I feel your pain." It’s a sympathetic message to the suffering that they’re not alone.
Unfortunately, the"thoughts and prayers" phraseology has fallen victim to semantic saturation — a phenomenon where the overuse or uninterrupted repetition of a strong word or phrase eventually causes the word to lose its intended meaning. Of course, the repeated use of the"thoughts and prayers" response is a sad commentary on a world constantly filled with news of the latest mass shooting, horrific crime or natural disaster.
The irreligious and cynical have become increasingly indignant toward those who express their prayerful condolences to those personally affected by tragedy. On Dec. 2, 2015, shots erupted in the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California, leaving 14 dead and others injured at a holiday party. Stunned and saddened by this mass shooting, condolences poured in across the media, including the overwhelming response,"Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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