Many readers and friends alike have gathered that some of the things I write are particularly violent, sometimes downright gruesome. Naturally, this has created a scare where some believe I need to be institutionalized, although I’m actually pretty psyched to see that many have voiced positive reception of my work.
I thought that this would be a good time to address violence in the media, something that I’m quite passionate about. No, I’m not passionate about violence, more so, I’m passionate about the cultural response to violence. I suppose it intrigues me more because I frequently listen to music and watch movies that are labeled as violent. Ever since Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold caused ruckus and moral panic worldwide, violence in the media has skyrocketed to the top of the list of things that must be repeatedly scolded.
Of course, I am a complete opponent to the claim that violent entertainment has anything to do with real-life violence. It’s an excellent scapegoat that many people love to employ if fingers are pointed towards them for blame. It’s something that people want to control, kind of like how some people who don’t support gay rights purposely try to make it so couples of the same sex cannot marry.
Quite often, music and television are the usual suspects if any sort of violent tragedy has occurred. I think it’s interesting that literature, sports, and the country’s most populated religions are never questioned. If you’re saying that murder in a movie or violent lyrics in a song can inspire somebody to commit violence, what about seeing an image of Jesus Christ on the cross? Is this not a violent image? What about sports where children are repeatedly encouraged by their parents to “Kill them” or “Hit them” during friendly competition?
The violence in some of my writings are not there to shock anybody. The fact is, like some PG-13 movies fail to acknowledge, that when you’re shot with a bullet, you’re gonna bleed. I’m not expecting 8 gallons of gore to spit out of their wounds, but I enjoy and respect realism. I hate it when artists have to censor their work just so others will not be offended. This is what I try to do out of respect for other artists and spectators of art. I’m not going to censor the violence or any other “offensive” detail for the few people who either cannot stomach it or feel like it is unnecessary.
The best advice I can offer is this: If you’re offended, do not proceed to read and do not cause a scene just because it is not to your liking. Move on out of respect for the writer if the content does not suit your beliefs or tastes. Using the gay rights example again, it’s just like how you shouldn’t go out of your way to ensure people who do not share similar beliefs to follow your code. You may not support gay rights, but then why are you bothering those who share love for one another? Why are you trying so hard to make sure they adhere to your traditional Christian views on marriage? The best strategy is to ignore it and move on and read something else.
As a writer, I demand the ability to write how I see things fit, and I would expect nothing but the same from anybody else. Don’t censor yourself out of fear that a few people out in the world will be upset. Let them worry about their own art.
My Seven Devils 