On tuesday, the viewing for Paterno was held at the spiritual center on campus for a majority of the day. Walking back from my International Relations class, I travel past the spiritual center along Curtain Road. It was here I first saw the line of students and alumni waiting to pay their respects. As I continued down my path, I was astonished to still see a line that extended into what seemed like eternity. Finally, the line ended at the Creamery, a good half mile away.
Later that night, at the library, I noticed two cardboard cutouts of coach Paterno. These cutouts were covered in Post-It notes thanking him for everything has done. Hundreds upon hundreds of these convered every portion of the cardboard cutouts. There were so many, that the cutouts eventually had to be replaced. Soon, these cutouts were covered with notes, and were replaced with even more.
When I left the library, the night sky seemed brighter than usual. Looking up, once would notice a vast beam of light emitting from the direction of Beaver Stadium. Every night since Joe's death, the stadium lights have been on, as if to say, "Joe, you're light may have burned out, but what you've built will always shine on."
When people talk about how Joe made a difference in so many people's lives, we believe it. But words do absolutely no justice. Seeing thousands, many of whom traveled hundreds of miles back to campus, to pay final respects truly showed me for the first time Joe's impact on the world. Even now I have trouble describing the awe I feel. The only thing I can say is that words are not enough to describe it.
Without verbal rhetoric, I would've taken all the praises as the truth, and would've known the partial truth. The visual rhetoric, however, is the only way to reveal the full impact of Joe's impact on the world.
I never saw those cardboard cutouts of JoePa with the Post-It notes -- I'll have to visit the library to check them out, they sound extremely touching.
ReplyDeleteI agree -- the visual rhetoric of the whole situation is incredible. Every time I walk by the stadium, I have to stop and stare at JoePa's face and name on the big screen.
I'm incredibly overwhelmed by the impact Paterno had on this entire community. People say you don't know you have until it's gone, and as someone who wasn't that invested in Penn State, I realize what this community and University has lost. It grieves me to see my community like this, but it's nice to see that people are able to honor his memory.
ReplyDeleteI was in awe when I saw the night sky was light up by the stadium lights. It was so beautiful! I believe that sometimes visual rhetoric is more meaningful than in speeches. Anyone can say something about another person, but showing it is a different story. JOEPA was and always will be PENN STATE!
ReplyDeleteI can't agree with you enough, the visual rhetoric on campus is definitely showing the impact of Joe Paterno on the entire world. It's touching and comforting as students to see how highly everyone thinks of this great man, and how the community has come together to commemorate him.
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