Dear Editor.
Only this morning on my way to work have I found out about the sword killings at the school of yesterday.
After getting a newspaper from a co-worker to read what is being said, within only a few minutes I was able to figure out that people are going to blame music for what happened.
I am a huge fan of music, and especially of the louder genre, aka heavy metal.
Has anyone ever wondered why people listen to metal music? Did anyone ever think that maybe it is because that person could relate to the music? Maybe he/she do not have someone or some way to express themselves. Maybe they are like me, who found that music is a brilliant way of expressing oneself?
Take for instance: Demon Hunter; Destroy The Runner, Decyfer Down.
Those three names sound pretty suspicious, right? Well, they're all Christian bands. In the genre of metal and the likes.
What about bands like P.O.D. (payable on death), or Project86, which is available everywhere... All Christian bands.
They are loud, and aggressive.
In my opinion, he had built up anger. In the couple of articles I have read, I could easily determine that he was an "outcast". Someone not easily accepted by most people, as it is stated that he is the silent "loner" type of person.
What was his circumstances like at home?
How was his relationship towards his parents?
Taking a little part of one article, it was said that in a simple questionnaire, he answered as a job type he would be jumping from roof to roof killing people.
How come this was taken up as a usual "stupid joke" of his?
In JUST THAT, anyone can see there is underlying problems.
It is stated that he is teased a lot at school. And just before the happening, he was teased again as being a ninja and that he didn't have the guts to do anything?
Could that be not be the reason for built-up anger suddenly exploding, as he did not have any other way of getting rid of anger, by means of having someone to talk to or some way else?
Built up anger. Is it possible that he could have related it to one of SlipKnot's more famous songs, Wait And Bleed?
"I felt the air rise up in me
Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves
I wander out where you can't see
Inside my shell, I wait and bleed."
Anyone ever thought of looking at a reason as to why he listens SlipKnot?
I haven't seen the way his face was painted, but according to description, they say it resembles the mask of the drummer, Joey Jordison? I've got a statement to make about that, as Joey's mask is not black. It is a white kabuki mask with black marking, revealing no expression at all.
I am not taking sides on this matter, but why do people always have to attack music as a direct cause to violent nature?
What about violence in the direct surroundings? It's what kids grow up in. They get used to it.
Why always attack music?
Find the underlying cause. Which is usually where he spends most of his time. Also at home. If a kid is being neglected by those who "love him" (and please do not think I assume he is neglected at home), but obviously this kid has a hard time fitting in and finding a place where he feels at home...
Where were his parents all the time? Seeing that they were not able to see that there was a problem with their son?
Stop attacking music for all the wrong in youth.
Quintin de Lange
Pretoria
Unknown "All On Black" In Travis we trust :)
- 16 years, 4 months, 8 days ago