I totally agree with everything Henry Rollins says. And I revere and fear him, as I have since I was 14. Yet he is also 100% wrong. What he wrote is deceptively kind and, as is his wont these days, they are the words of a good shepherd, the elder statesman of our subculture. But he is wrong. If Henry committed suicide he WOULD be blowing it. But he is an extraordinary person, a celebrity, with health insurance, a fanbase, wealth, and a personality that was always very, very, bold. We arent all so lucky. I know that, like many 80s American punks (and, I might add, Lou Reed), Henry always thought nothing could be worse than the boring, suburban, hand they were dealt and, so, for the dozen of them who are still alive and who are celebrities, life seems to be only what you make it. Yet that is the very heart of the conservative fallacy. Not everyone does have it as easy as you. Not everyone has such easy choices. Not everyone has throngs of fans around the world. Not everyone has access to medical treatment. Not everyone becomes a celebrity. Perry Farrell asked publicly, when Kurt Cobain died, why not just fly to Tahiti?, but not everyone can. And, lastly, as a sufferer of depression myself, I am still not philosophically sure that existing is always the best alternative. I am constantly humiliated by my own emotions and wondering if the best ones dont just die before they become an embarrassment. Henry, would you lay that on a veteran with PTSD who cant live down the killing he saw in the war? Would you lay that on a survivor of abuse? What about Elliot Smith? Dont ever kill yourself. But respect what those who did went through. I just hope we may all be free from suffering. rollingstone/music/news/why-henry-rollins-lost-respect-for-robin-williams-20140821
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 01:06:33 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015