4/20/99
Well as most of the world knows now tragedy struck Columbine High School in Littleton, CO. April 20th, 1999. Two youths 18-year-old Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, 17 went on a shooting spree killing that left 15 people dead, 11 male students, 2 female, and one teacher and the two youths and injured 20 more. The youths were a part of a small group called the "Trench Coat Mafia" and have been linked to the Gothic subculture. As soon as this was mentioned many of the goths in this area as well as all over began obsessing on the fact this brings more negative publicity on our subculture. Although I agree I'm tired of the negative media and Marilyn Manson being portrayed not only as Goth but as the main influence (he's been a round a few years and Goth in it's current for has been around for a couple decades), I feel people are jumping the gun. Here in Denver gothics are pretty well accepted, even with what has happened the harassment I'm hearing about doesn't even compare to the harassment I saw/experienced in Tulsa and what happens on an everyday basis for many Goths in smaller cities. I feel this may change in the next few weeks as the shock wears off and people start looking for something to blame. Now I'm hearing of even greater harassment in the bible belt areas than what will probably ever happen here where the tragedy hit. Many Gothics seem to want to organize and do a lot of PR management right now in the middle of the chaos which is just poor timing, right now people need to be sincere and do what they can for the victims as people who happen to be Gothics not as an organized group, it will be too easy for the efforts no matter how sincere to be seen as nothing more than a front. Let the dust settle, then get those who truly are serious together and make a difference. I for one would shun any organized effort and instead plan on going on just the way I always have, treating people right unless they become threatening and then making a decision to fight or flee. This is also being used as a political rally for people against the concealed weapons law both in politics and amongst the Gothics, come on the responsibility for keeping your guns away from your children belongs solely on you. It will always be illegal for a student to carry a gun into school regardless of whether your allowed to carry your gun in public or have it tucked away at home. People with young people in the home of any age need to keep their guns locked up not just stashed away for your children or a burglar to find.
These people were also accused of being racist, of the dead, only one was black and was also a jock but some people heard a student say minorities were being targeted so it's being used as a rally cry against racism. The fact is for outcasts like them the most outspoken and abusive toward them are the jocks, blacks, and rednecks this was revenge. I agree bigotry of any kind is deplorable but don't use this as the rally cry, and don't just take an interest in stopping it while the subject is on the front page. The German bands that have been brought up speak out against violence and have no connection to racism they are also quite popular even in the mainstream.
For those unfamiliar with the gothic subculture let me assure you we are one of the most accepting groups you will ever meet. I for one am a straight, white, Christian but I have friends who are from every imaginable race, every religion, and varying sexual orientations, although I don't agree with all of their choices I respect their right to make these choices and know the only actions I can judge are my own, in return they respect my choices. My condolences go out to the victims but just don't expect me to change one way or the other just because a couple disturbed kids did the unimaginable!!!
To see who these victem were go here
