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It's like metal in the 80's all over again with the way Emo is being blamed for an increasing number of deaths. In March we watched youTube videos of clashes in Mexico and Chile between "Emo" kids and "rocker" kids. Clashes that led to violence and deaths. More recently, we mourned the death of a sweet looking teen named Sophie Lancaster, who was reportedly beaten to death because she was Goth. Today, news is circulating about a disturbing teen suicide that authorities are linking to Emo music and fashion, calling it a "cult". The 13-year old girl, Hannah Bond, told her parents, "I want to kill myself" before going up to her room and hanging herself from a bunk bed. The parents sort of laughed it off, probably because she was a popular, outgoing and bright young lady. They thought she had no reason to kill herself and no depression to lead her into this decision. It must have sounded like a flippant comment to parents who knew nothing of her "second life".
The authorities and press are putting a lot of blame on her so-called 2nd life, where she was a devotee of "Emo". According to the UK Telegraph:
She had secretly chatted to “emo” followers online all over the world, talking about death and the glamorisation of hanging and speaking about “the black parade” - a place where “emos” believe they go after they die.
She had even scratched her wrists in a form of self-harm often seen as a form of initiation into the popular fashion and lifestyle fad followed by young people who dress in black like their older “Goth” crowd.
The rest of the article bounces between her normal life as a successful and bright teenager and her recent obsession with the internet and emo fashions. Knowing how the authorities in the UK react to this kind of thing, don't be surprised if the pressure on Emo events is increased and Emo fashion is criminalized. Like hoodies and grime music, being emo and wearing black eyeliner will soon be outlawed.
Full story in the UK Telegraph article, "Popular schoolgirl dies in 'emo sucide cult'"
The Sun also has an article that features a photo of the "fun-loving" Hannah
This is horrible! But call me a little outta the loop but, when the hell did Emo become a cult? (Am I aging myself?)
i forgot to mention, this all just happened on May 7th. NME also has an article, maybe a bit more concise and to the point than the others:
http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/36468
I believe Lisa Simpson said it best "Making Teenagers sullen and depressed is like shooting fish in a barrel." That being said, teenagers are naturally over emotional about everything. Please press, don't turn this into another Ozzy Osbourne/"Suicide Solution" type of deal. I know I'm being a bit crass, but all I can think is that if she could look at the act of killing herself from the vantage point of 15 more years of maturity, she would undoubtedly say "I killed myself over that?! Sheesh, that was dumb."
That majorly suck's!
contrabandwidth: Yea remember a few cases similar this back in the 80's. I remember the Judas Priest case.
There's also a suicide Internet web-ring if you're interested. Seriously, the English press was once the best in the world now it's all tabloid, no news whatsoever.
I feel sorry for the parents and other relatives. How can you make peace with yourself when it's international news?
It became a "cult" when a bunch of adults who are already disconnected from their own kids discovered something they've forgotten: being a teenager is HARD! Nearly impossible if you're not connected to enough adults, role models PARENTS . Ugh!
I know nothing of this child's parents, but first off you never take that kind of statement lightly. Second, how can she have a "second life"? She's thirteen! She can't even drive yet!
My prayers and good thoughts go to Hannah. May she rest in peace.
Jesus, I'm out of touch with the whole "emo" scene just like Shud33. I had no idea it was so goddam serious. I'm so curious now. I'd like to chat to a few "emo followers" all over the world and see what's up. Don't worry, I won't kill myself.
i don't think it was considered a cult until about a month ago. maybe not until yesterday. But now that there's 3 high profile stories related to goth/emo induced deaths it's labeled a cult.
just like all metal is satanic and all youth is criminal.
i think Lisa Simpson DID say it best! thanks for the quote CBW !
Very japanese suicide club...
"Second, how can she have a "second life"? She's thirteen! She can't even drive yet!"
Jaguwar ... and any one else interested should check out the frontline special "growing up online"
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/
I have two young one's. Glad I have a while before their teenage years....
Okaaay...I had no idea it was a secret internet cult with devout followers.
All this scares me more and more. Who knew? Jeez...
Well now... I'm impressed.
(?)
I doubt there is such a thing as an Emo 'cult' of any kind, to me it sounds more like another typically British media-hype similar to that which is actually 'blamed for' rather than considered 'reporting on' the popularity of teenage suicides particularly having struck Wales over the past year. Media hype or Emo cult, I don't know, the truth is somewhere in the middle, perhaps, but in the meantime every precious young live lost is one too many.