A darkness has fallen over the Carnegie Mellon campus. Since we have departed for break, two of our good friends have vanished. Staples of our community have been lost. At first, I had hope that we were all being lied to, that the photos were doctored. Alas, upon returning to campus, I saw it with my own eyes. The SAE Lions were gone. I knew this day would come, but I was not prepared. In our lives, we rely on our constant truths. I relied on the SAE Lions to welcome me to campus. They got me up in the morning. How am I supposed to keep up with my classes, when such a great tragedy has befallen our campus? How am I supposed to go about Greek Sing without the glue that held Greek Life together? I don’t know how we move forward. As I walk down Morewood, my soul feels empty. The street feels empty. The campus has lost the little character it had. I have 30 days until I find myself walking across the stage and receiving my diploma. I always thought I would have the SAE lions to walk me through campus one last time. We never have enough time with the ones we love. We never know the right time to say our last goodbye. We never know what we have until it’s gone. I never even took a photo with them. “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out —because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.” I will not let them come for the lions. I will speak out. To whoever committed this hate crime, please do right by the world and undo your atrocious act. Why am I even trying? Kids these days do not even remember painting the lions. They haven’t and will never know the joy of waking up to find out what they would look like that day. The heart may be in the work, but the lions will always be in my heart, even if the rest of the campus is ready to leave them behind.
