I think it's a fair enough statement to say that the above lines are 'good'- inspiring, hopeful, encouraging. I don't think there are many that would disagree with that statement. However, the band who performs these lyrics, Of Mice & Men, are a hardcore/"screamo" band. A big percentage of the general population views this type of music as depressing, and sometimes even satanic. Why is that?
In the defense of those that think this way, many that listen to music labeled "hardcore", "screamo", "emo", whatever the term these days is, do struggle from many different mental disorders, from depression to anxiety, to eating disorders, self harm, suicidal ideation, etc. But is this music the cause? I don't think so.
In case you think this is all hyperbole from a young teenage girl trying in vain to defend her music, there are many cases of evidence that those who aren't part of the culture involving this music blaming the music for the problems of the listeners. One of the most popular cases is a case from 2008 in which a young teenage girl named Hannah Bond committed suicide.
The coroner, Roger Sykes, suggested that the young girl's tragic suicide was due in part to her "obsession" with so-called "emo" music, and he added that he found the "overtones of the genre disturbing."
Hannah Bond was a 13 year old girl who hung herself in 2008. According to the girl's parents, she had been a model pupil until right before her tragic death. Her father claims that he'd caught his daughter cutting herself, but she promised him that it wouldn't happen again and so he let it go. She had a webpage cluttered with depressing images and blog posts.
Her parents, the coroner, and many others blamed the musicians in the bands Bond listened to, namely My Chemical Romance, for encouraging the girl's suicide through their music. The parents of the girl said My Chemical Romance was a "cult-rock" band, among other accusations.
My Chemical Romance released the following statement on their website after learning of the girl's death.
"We have recently learned of the suicide and tragic loss of Hannah Bond. We'd like to send our condolences to her family during this time of mourning. Our hearts and thoughts are with them. My Chemical Romance are, and have always been, vocally anti-violence and anti-suicide. As a band, we have always made it one of our missions through our actions to provide comfort, support, and solace to our fans. The message and theme of our album "The Black Parade" is hope and courage. Our lyrics are about finding the strength to keep living through pain and hard times. The last song on our album [Famous Last Words] states "I am not afraid to keep on living, I am not afraid to walk this world alone" - a sentiment that embodies the band's position on hardships we all face as human beings. If you or anyone you know have feelings of depression or suicide, we urge you to find your way and your voice to deal with these feelings positively." - Gerard Way via mychemicalromance.comThe sad truth of the matter was that, on that day in 2008, a beautiful young girl's life was lost, cut too short. But what her parents, the coroner, and many others fail to recognize is that is is not the music that causes these feelings of despair, depression, and hopelessness. For many, myself included, bands like Of Mice & Men, My Chemical Romance, and dozens of others, provide a light through the darkness. Music is a way to feel and find hope when there seems not to be any. Why, then, is it that so many teenagers that listen to these genres of music struggle with so many mental afflictions?
Let me suggest an alternative way of thinking. Perhaps, it is not the music causing these afflictions, but that those with these afflictions find this music more comforting than the normal drone of Top 40 music talking about surface issues like being dumped after 2 weeks, getting drunk and having sex with random strangers. Both the lyrics of the songs, along with speeches, quotes and inspiring messages from the band members, are millions of times more comforting and helpful than anything playing on the radio today.
To close, I'm going to leave a handful of quotes from members of these so-called "emo", "cult-rock", "satanic" bands... I'd love to have everyone read every single thing many of these people have said but hopefully, if you're a believer in the propaganda that many news outlets, parents and others spew, some of these will help change your mind and see these people for the inspirations they are.
"You have many options in life- never make giving up one of them."- Austin Carlile, Of Mice & Men
"I want to send this out to all of you. You're all so gorgeous, you know that, right? Inside and out. Do not let anyone tell you you aren't beautiful- do not let anyone tell you that the way you feel and the way you think are the wrong way. Be yourself- you're the ****, alright?"- Alex Gaskarth, All Time Low
"In the moment before a kid is seriously considering harming themselves, I want them to remember that they are important, that they are part of the fabric that makes up society and our communities, and that they are needed and loved."-Tim McIlrath, Rise Against
"Pierce The Veil, the idea is to give people a little bit of hope amongst all the crazy stuff going on in their lives."- Vic Fuentes, Pierce The Veil
"To all the underdogs out there, bare this in mind. When I was 16, I was told I'd never amount to anything. I think I've done okay. If you don't believe in yourself, very few will believe in you. You can be whoever you want to be."- Josh Franceschi, You Me At Six
"No matter how bad it gets, don't give up. Always keep running, we'll always be there for you. Just turn up the speakers, sing like no one's listening, dance like nobody's there."- Gerard Way, My Chemical Romance
SOURCES
http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/36873 "My Chemical Romance speaks up about 'emo' suicide"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-564611/Girl-13-hangs-obsessed-Emo-suicide-cult-rock-band.html "Girl, 13, hangs herself after becoming obsessed with Emo 'suicide cult' rock band"
0 comments:
Post a Comment