Cop shot
The Netherlands, and Dutch people in general are recognized world wide as tolerant and liberal. They have progressive social and political views. Some would describe the nation as pragmatic. This is why it came as such a shock to many when a 28 year old police woman was killed on her way to work last week. She was shot dead in Amstelveen, south of the Dutch capital Amsterdam.
She had radioed in to work about a BMW car that was being driven erratically. Then her body was found next to the abandoned vehicle in a residential area. The facts of what happened are still unknown. What has been discovered though, is that the same car was involved in a violent incident earlier that night.
The Dutch people were by and large outraged, and immediately began posting online about the tragedy of her death. Some people had the nerve to post negative comments but they were quickly ’shouted down’ online.
It’s interesting how the death of someone that we don’t know can prove to be such a rallying point for people. The creation of online tributes is a brilliant solution to these kinds of events. It allows people to share hopes and fears online, and works to bring people together constructively. It allows people to validate their own feelings.
15 Jul
Comment by Anke VanIningen at 12:47 am, July 21st, 2008
Comment by RIchard Derks at 1:00 am, July 21st, 2008