Last night a horrific terror attack left 22 people dead, and more than 50 people injured after a suspected suicide bomber set off an explosive after Ariana Grande‘s sold out show at Manchester Arena (details). Like many of you, I don’t know much about her music, but what I do know is that her audience is young, and many of those young lives were lost last night. Just like we do every week, these fans just went to see a show. They wanted to escape from life for a few hours, and enjoy one of their favorite singers, but a coward decided to turn what should be a joyous occasion into an absolute nightmare.
Like all of us, musicians around the world were appalled at the attack, and we saw many post messages of support and love last night on social media. One of those was Lamb Of God‘s Randy Blythe, who took the time to write out a powerful message in response to the attack that I feel is worth sharing.
Here’s what Randy said, “I am so sick of reading headlines like this. We as a race, THE HUMAN RACE, have to do better than this. A music concert is supposed to be a place where people gather to forget their problems for a few hours, not somewhere to roll the dice with your life. At times like this, I think the only thing a normal person can do is try to be the best, most moral, human they can be- in our jaded era, I believe this is more necessary than ever. For instance, this evening after I read this headline, I ran into a very loose acquaintance at the grocery store & mentioned the news. This person joked “Maybe they did it because it was an Ariana Grande show.” I was too shocked to even say anything- I utterly fail to find the humor in the fact that at least 19 people are dead & many more injured, whatever you may think of someone’s music. I know nothing about Ariana Grande or any of her songs, but I can guarantee that people of many different races, religions, & beliefs were at that show for the same reason- to have a good time. Some of them won’t go home tonight. This is not fucking funny to me. This sort of jaded, joking, mentality is evidence to me of the continual chipping away of our humanity by the pathetically low standards of our era. We are better than this, people. It’s dehumanizing, just like the freakish & twisted beliefs that allowed this asshole terrorist to kill a bunch of people they didn’t know. Everything you do & say has consequences, even if you don’t believe that. Make sure you do your best to think & speak with a moral heart- maybe your kindness will prevent someone from going down a dark path- you never know who you may effect positively. My thoughts & prayers are with y’all in the U.K. tonight.”
Well said Randy. Our thoughts go out to all of those affected in Manchester. Stay strong.