Sad things

[Lastpointe]

There has been a story in Toronto for the past year or so that is terribly sad

a young man, eldest and only son of an east Asian family in Markham

he enrolled in U of T. Dropped out very early. Then for four years pretended to be in university rather than telling his family and letting them down. As graduation was approaching last year, rather than confess, he shot and killed his mother, father, younger sister and grandmother

this week he was sentenced to four life terms, 40 years with out parole

what strikes me isn’t the murders. It’s the sadness. He was obviously ashamed. Afraid to tell his family. Afraid to discuss it. And in his mental state this was his preferred outcome

I just find that so sad. For everyone

 

[BetteTheRed]

The tragedy of "repression". It almost always blows up, sometimes really awfully. His "life" is essentially over. He will be in his 60s when released, with no family. May as well have executed him, really.

 

[Mendalla]

Knowing the culture, I can see why he would hide dropping out. Clearly, though, there's more at work. Most Asian kids who "shame the family" don't commit mass murder. I am surprised his lawyer didn't manage to get him an insanity plea and time in a mental hospital. There's more wrong here than overbearing East Asian parenting. It is, indeed, a sad situation.

 

[Carolla]

It is indeed such a tragic story @Lastpointe. Seems like so much pressure of family expectation for a lot of brown kids leading to such an extended period of deception - hard to fathom.