These atrocious acts of
violence, performed by middle-to-upper class young men say more about our
younger generation than gun control. However, the gun control issue does need
to be addressed. How in the hell does an affluent youngster purchase a
semi-automatic weapon? Tell me, because I have no clue. I think there needs to
be more consideration than a standard background check. In fact, a convicted
felon over the age 35 has equal or more merit to purchase a gun than a white
male under 23, who has never been arrested. Don’t you think? Whether or not you’ve
been convicted for a crime doesn’t mean you have more right to purchase a
weapon. Some people want the gun for protection, some want to kill animals, and
some want to murder human beings. A felony background check doesn’t provide enough
information. Sometimes, total clearance
means that you haven’t been caught yet.
If
you haven’t watched the news or seen the YouTube video made by the 22 year old
gunman, I’ll recap the current affair; Elliot Rodgers, the son of a Hollywood
assistant director, murdered 6 people in Santa Barbara, California and then
killed himself. He posted a frightening video on YouTube, which basically expresses
his ultimate alienation in society and hatred for the people he surrounded
himself with. He’s a virgin, comes from a well-off family, and has never been
in a relationship. Honestly, in this day in age of prevalent STDs and unplanned
pregnancies, being a virgin at 22 is not that bad.
When
you’re in high school, peers, mentors, teachers and parents shove a whole lot
of bullshit down your throat about what is a successful person in their
twenties. College isn't always like in the movies. Elliot probably expected to
go to college, join a frat, fuck a lot of sorority girls, gain popularity and
get a degree. This sad and demented individual was looking for love in all the
wrong places. I was very aware of the
stuck-up, so-called “hip” sectors of university life. Although I was equally
mischievous, I had no intentions of following the “it” crowd. I was aware that
popularity is nothing but a façade. Those people that Elliot expressed his
undying hatred for had their own set of problems. They just were better at
covering it up.
After
I watched the YouTube video of Elliot, I was instantly reminded of Robert De
Niro’s character in “Taxi Driver.” Scorsese’s brilliant film portrays a man,
similar to Elliot, who is revolted by society; therefore, he feels utterly
alienated. Anger, frustration and delusions of being a vengeful anti-hero overpower
both De Niro’s character and Elliot Rodgers. In the movie, De Niro develops an
obsession for guns and violence. The writer, Paul Schrader, slept with a gun
underneath his pillow and carried it around wherever he went. Before Schrader
wrote the script, he had a mental breakdown and frequented the psych hospital,
which is probably why Travis Bickle’s internal monologue is so authentic.
A feeling of alienation and
cynicism for popular society is an issue that relates to my own personality.
However, I try my best to deal with my problems, both therapeutically and
creatively. Firearms and violence is not the answer. Although I have contempt
for Elliot Rodgers actions, I’m also brave enough to empathize with him.
