My Name Is Jasper

Behind Blue Eyes

When my fist clenches, crack it open

Before I use it and lose my cool

When I smile, tell me some bad news

Before I laugh and act like a fool

Behind Blue Eyes – Pete Townsend (300)

The new year is almost a month old, and in the Western world fear, and hate seem to grow. Yes, there are many problems, and I can understand people are afraid, but what seems to be the first trend of 2016 is the marginalization of bigotry, and worse, it's depiction as nothing more than anti political correctness. Both in the States, as well as a number of European countries, right wing populism is again growing, and it is scary. Such a negative mindset will never be able to tackle the challenges we are now facing.

What probably made me even most sad, was the drunken rant a few days ago on stage at Dimebash (301)  by former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo. Fired up by adrenaline and alcohol the impressive singer started to shout "White power!" while making the Nazi salute.

It wasn't Phil's first controversy, but initially he tried to shrug it off as a dumb joke. Nothing more. It wouldn't take long before a video recording went viral on YouTube and the Metal community cried out in shame and judgement. Amongst the Metal Elite to disapprove, it was probably Machine Head's Rob Flynn whose statement received the most attention. In a ten-minute video the Little General broadcasted a rant against hatred, discrimination, and general narrow-mindedness. He reminded everyone that the Metal community is supposed to be inclusive, open-minded, and respectful (302). A community where outcasts from all over the world should feel welcome.

Many people spoke out against Anselmo's slurred statements: "I don't have time for people who judge people by the colour of their skin" by Corey Taylor (303)  or "I have absolutely zero tolerance for any of this and to not speak out against them is as dangerous as the acts themselves" by Scott Ian. Nevertheless, it wouldn't be long until numerous people came to his aid, defending his right of free speech, dismissing the statements as jokes, and telling "soft liberals to stop wining just because Phil isn't politically correct"

Well, what he did wasn't 'just not politically correct', but the behaviour of a racist asshole. Learn the fucking difference.

It was funny in a way – but maybe more so sad – to see that both those judging and defending often quoted the same Pantera lyrics to power up their comments:

"Run your mouth when I'm not around, it's easy to achieve. [...] Is there no standard anymore? [...] Respect, walk! Are you talking to me?" (304)

A genuinely upset Flynn commented on the racist remarks of Anselmo and those rallying to support him in his above mentioned video reaction with a clear: "If this is what Metal is... I'm out!" Don't worry Rob, yes "one of our own [has] outrageously and publicly shit the bed" (305), but as the band All Shall Perish publicly reacted, Anselmo's actions were "not only disgusting and inexcusable but antithetical to the Punk, Metal, underground ethos to which we subscribe. No gods, no masters, and certainly no master race."

...

I took an Uber to a bar in the hip College neighborhood in Toronto, to go watch an Iron Maiden cover band. I'm by myself, as much as Julie is supportive of my musical passions – and will join me once in a while for shows – a two-and-a-half-hour Iron Maiden extravaganza is a little much.

I get to the bar. Ping. My Uber receipt: $6.66. Nice, if that isn't a sign from the Metal Gods that this show is going to be awesome, nothing will be.