Stigma and Stigmata

For those of you skimming for a thesis statement you'll not find it until the final sentence. (thesis statements are stupid)

There are things in our culture that we have chosen to stigmatize as evil or generally negative. Many of us have lived our lives surrounded by the culture of quazi-Christian American conservativism. (that has nothing to do with politics)

This culture has many agendas but there are a few that bother me more than others. Certainly I think everyone is entitled to an opinion, I simply think it is best for that opinion to be well founded.

Generally these fall into the category of ethical scapegoats. The Hebrew people ceremonially placed their sins on a goat and sent it out to die. Likewise, we force our sins and shortcomings on things and send them out hoping they will die.

Blame the music industry - Most of the time Rap and Heavy Metal get blamed for youth violence. I am unable to stand up for rap because I am unfamiliar with it. I would like to point out that many of the bands that get blamed for encouraging violent acts do just the opposite.
Example:
Disturbed has been called "a major influence" on at least two the the televised School Shootings since 2000. Disturbed consistently writes anti hate and anti violence lyrics; "You are my mortal enemy, You try to say that you love life then find another way to kill life." Social justice- "These are the hands we were given so so get up and make this a place worth living in." Forgiveness - "all that I want is forgiveness one more time."
For the sake of time I'll stop there, although I'd be happy to email a long list to anyone interested.

Blame the video games- the Grand Theft Auto series has been controversial since its inception in 1997. Each edition increases that controversy as each edition more clearly depicts acts of violence and sexuality. In 2007 and 2008 several car jackings were called "GTA style" suggesting the game had influenced the criminals. While one cannot prove influence it would be worth pointing out that all but one of these car jackings were committed by teenagers under that age of 18 which is the minimum age to purchase the game. Yes, they card for the game just like cigarettes and alcohol because it is not intended for children. If one is going to point the figure at GTA then they must also point the figure at the parents who let the kids play it and whoever illegally bought it for them.

Blame the Movies and Blame TV also top the list but we don't have time to fight them all.

The point is. Why do we so badly need to blame someone else? Our culture is all about us versus them. We pit our children against each other in everyday possible. We picket and riot all the time. Political parties argue viciously everyday. Religions declare war on one another. Denominations demonize each other and races and genders continue the ignorant hostility.

Why are we so afraid to look at ourselves and say that we are the problem? Because really, WE ARE THE PROBLEM!