“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.”
― Albert Einstein
That sentiment sounds so perfect; imagine living in a daydream of your favorite music?
It goes to show how the power of music has influenced and sparked some of the greatest minds the world has ever known.
But not all music takes you to a place of bliss, as evident with Sikh Temple suspected shooter Wade Michael Page.
A proud hate-filled Neo-Nazi, Page was a founding member and bass player for the hate groups “End Apathy” and “Definite Hate,” musical stylings whose main objective is to do nothing but promote hatred and racial apartheid.
These guys aren’t the Beatles or the Rolling Stones; this music isn’t about partying and having a good time, but solely about fueling the anger and hatred of the White-Supremacist movement.
With songs like “Madder Than Hell, Meaner Than Shit,” and “Infected World,” Wade’s bands only tap into the most violent aspects of the White Supremacist movement, urging its listeners to go out and commit violent crimes against minorities.
And don’t get it twisted, this isn’t profound or groundbreaking music; this isn’t protest music made to spark a revolution, even though Page and his followers think that it is. This isn’t Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are a Changin.”
Born out of the punk rock era of the 1970s, this hate music skewed into a realm that doesn’t resemble its inception. Pioneering bands like The Clash, Dead Kennedys, or even the Sex Pistols used their music to incite change of the times – not hate, but a dislike for corruption in government.
Hate bands like the one Page was a part of don’t aim to promote social change and end racism, but just the opposite. The world view held by these musical hate groups is what led Page to kill six innocent people at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin. Page’s Islamophobia, compiled with the rhythm of hate he subjected himself to, is why he unleashed his wrath of terror on six innocent victims.
Being able to compose music and play an instrument is a gift, and to turn it into something that promotes hate, divisiveness and violence is just misguided and detrimental to humanity.
Music should take you to a place of unlimited inspiration. Art should take you to the point where you can write a novel, direct a play, compose a musical, write an opera, dance or create your own sound.
Creativity is meant to uplift yourself and others – not harm or kill anyone.
Shaka Griffith is the News/Politics Editor of GlobalGrind.com Follow him on Twitter @Darealshaka
