Is the Virginia gunman's nationality relevant?
Two days after the Virginia school shootings and the world is still talking about it. Your emails and texts came in to World Have Your Say yesterday including this email from Mark, UK
I do want to comment on the constant reference to the killer coming from South Korea. I believe it should be noted that he had lived in the US since 1992 and is more of an American than a Korean. I feel that his constant portrayal in the media about him being a S. Korean reinforces a racist reaction to something which is clearly much more complicated to understand, if this horrible happening could every be understood.
and this from Christa in San DiegoI'm an American and a Graduate of Virginia Tech. It is a lovely excellent school. Unfortunately that is not the problem in the US. The problem is immigration and guns.
From this - can we have a debate about how relevant you think the nationality and background of Cho Seung-hui? Do you think there has been too much meda focus on the fact that he was South Korean?
Yesterday we took some calls and emails asking why commentators and the media are "going on" about his nationality and background. Is too much being made about his roots? Is it really relevant? How appropriate is it to mention ethnic or religious roots? Are people afraid of a racial backlash? Are immigrant groups part and parcel of American life until something like this happens? What does this say about American society?
Iraqi refugees. There are since the US-led invasion. Who do you give asylum to? Who on the international stage is stepping up to help the refugees? Should the developed world do more to help?
This is where the refugees have fled to.
Syria: 1,200,000; Jordan: 750,000; Gulf states: 200,000; Egypt: 100,000; Iran: 54,000; Lebanon: 40,000; Turkey: 10,000; Internally displaced: 1,900,000
Whose responsibility are they? We'll try to talk to Iraqi refugees from Syria, Jordan and hopefully other countries to hear what they have to say about it. We want to hear from you too. You can email us or post a blog comment.
And finally should the be called off?
Have we got some of the right stories? What other stories do you think we should be covering?
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