So check this:

I was thinking the other night about something. My english class recently finished reading the Shakespeare play King Lear. This got me thinking, risky as it may be, about an issue which is quite relevant.

Parents and authority figures seem to like to use the media as a scapegoat when talking about problems with todays youth. They said that one of the reasons the Columbine kids did what they did was because they were Marilyn Manson fans. They blame gang violence on the rap scene. Of course, they only do this because they need to direct the fault somewhere else other than themselves.

I'm not saying that they're entirely wrong about this, however. Music and modern media does influence people, but not in the way that people seem to be accusing it of.

So, this made me think about something. We study Shakespeare in school. We read other works of fiction (similar to the fictional song lyrics, in most cases). What I don't get is that these works are also loaded with violence.

Anyone who's ever seen or read a play by Shakespeare will note that there is lots of violence. On top of that, there's so many sexual jokes, violent insults, and the like. I'm not saying that Shakespearean plays suck; in fact, I like them. However, I'd like to know why we don't blame the violence among youth on Shakespeare and the other authors of fictional works that are studied in school.

This material is more accesible by students than some forms of media too. And students are forced (more or less) to study it. Whereas they can choose what type of music they want to listen to or what type of movie they want to watch.

So, the question remains: why point the blame to the modern media when there's been a source thats been around a hell of a lot longer?

I know, I know, I can already hear the responses I'll be getting about this (the few I do get). It makes me wonder whether or not I should bother posting.

Then I realize I do it simply because I can! :)