Essay On Columbine: Whose Fault Is It

Marilyn Manson got his name from juxtaposing the names of two huge cultural icons: Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson. He was born Brian Warner some years ago and decided to change his name in claimed appraisal to America and its culture. This name change is praising the same culture that he bashed in his piece. This is in itself contradicting. His first name, Marilyn, appeals to the gorgeous 50’s icon who has become a sex symbol for American culture. Manson is known for his controversial fetishes which include sadomasochism. Marilyn Manson may not be the direct cause of the Columbine Massacre, yet he is a big contributor in teenage rebellion.
Although he is not to blame for the events in Columbine, he is a negative image that children should not be exposed to. The type of persona that he evokes is not of a positive one. He does not have the right to tell America or parents how to raise kids as he himself is not a good role model. It is strange that he says he does not promote violence, yet he is very open about his sex life which does forms of violence. He is also known for his music video where he has sexual intercourse with a young girl. This action is something that is not considered that a role model should do. Therefore, his statement, saying that his songs should not be interpreted in negative light is completely ridiculous.
Manson did not hesitate to take the opportunity to thrash Christianity even in his opening statement. This was done for obvious reasons – publicity. We all know that Manson did not gain fame until he deemed himself a Satanist. His album entitled “Anti-Christ” got the most sales out of all his music. He tried to jeer away from this image by releasing “Mechanical Animals”, yet it did not gain as much fame. In his essay, he blames people saying that they are hypocrites who like to point fingers whereas he is in the exact same position. No Christian or any person with a religion directly came up to him and blamed him for this event. It was journalists who got their facts wrong. Quick to point the finger, he takes this chance to rear his image as a Satanist.
Media professionals state that they found the two to be influenced by Manson’s music, claiming him to be the source of their violent actions. However, Manson says that the two boys were not even fans of his music. Even if they were, his music does not encourage young people to act in violence. Manson claims that his music is wrongly interpreted by the media and those who just want to blame others for their children’s actions. Interpreted wrong or not, children are very influential. They will believe and follow anyone whom they believe is cool. Naming songs that sound violent and having album covers that are less to be desired by conservative parents is not something that he can defend. If he was really a wholesome image who parents want their children to look up to, he would not have to be so quick to defend himself.
Manson states that he is not to be blamed for the actions of the two young boys involved in the shooting at Columbine. He says that parents are too quick to point fingers at people who they do not understand. Manson says that there is too much hypocrisy going on and that no one wants to take the blame for themselves. Being a self-proclaimed atheist, he then says that people should look at their own actions, and see what role models they have in front of them. He uses the cross and the image of Christ as an example of violence. He says that during the times when there weren’t any television sets, books or music, there was still violence and murder. He questions the morality of people and how individuals are so quickly influenced. However, this is quite an odd thing to do as his fans are composed of individuals who are quickly influenced by someone who they believe is “cool”.
Even though Manson’s piece is very moving and believable, he was still quick to defend himself. He even says that he is one who likes to go against the flow and show a bit of individualism. Manson is an icon who claims to be Satanic or an atheist. He looks for any reason to disrespect the church or those who do believe in a higher being. Though, he is correct in saying that people always use a scapegoat when it comes to these tragedies, he does not justify his image well in contrast to the occurrences of the Columbine shooting. He claims that his songs have positive images and that they do not promote violence. However, his image as a whole is someone who defies the law or any authority. He says that children should be taught what is moral and immoral, yet he does not clearly define what he believes to be moral. Manson, in his piece was too busy blaming media for sensationalizing events and parents not teaching their kids right from wrong that he lost his own image.
Manson does have a point. He might not have had anything to do with the Columbine massacre. The media does go too far when it comes to sensationalizing an event. However, Manson does not have the right to tell people that they are raising their children wrong. He does not have the right to blame anyone or go as far as point fingers. Manson is known for his controversial persona on stage and off. He did not deserve to be blamed for this tragic event, but when you look at it, he might have even enjoyed the negative publicity. Anyone who dresses as outrageously and is as outspoken as he is would love the limelight, especially for something as controversial as this shooting.