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I've just read that some folks are getting together through WGW to get a memorial bench in Whitby and maybe plant a tree or two if they raise enough for that unfortunate goth lass, Sophie Lancaster, who, like so many people (alternative types or not) wasn't safe walking around her neighbourhood. Apparently the bench is going to cost £1600!
Personally, I think that although it's a lovely idea, I don't agree with getting a bunch of strangers to donate money for a bench in memory of person they didn't even know. If there should be any reason for asking for donations for anything, surely it should be for something that could make a difference...like a charity that could help raise awareness of such crimes or help the victims?
Discuss.....
Personally, I think that although it's a lovely idea, I don't agree with getting a bunch of strangers to donate money for a bench in memory of person they didn't even know. If there should be any reason for asking for donations for anything, surely it should be for something that could make a difference...like a charity that could help raise awareness of such crimes or help the victims?
Discuss.....
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Though what happened to the girl and her partner is absolutely awful, I haven't seen any indication that she was part of the wider goth community, or that she even ever attended Whitby.As you say, a bench there would do absolutely no good whatsoever and the money would be better put to use in her community to stop it happening again.
Thank you for having the guts to say what many people must be thinking.
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I don't mean to be disrespecting anyone's decisions or efforts by posting it.
I just think it's a valid point that should be raised.
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Just so I don't seem utterly callous - I did know a guy paralysed from the neck down following a big mountain bike accident. He was rescued, and his life saved, but the Air Ambulance Service which depends entirely on donations... so as a result I will do what I can to help raise money for them :-)
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That's the sort of thing I mean. Money better spent.
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As for the bench itself, I think the donations could be much better spent.
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I'm not trying to disrespect what they are doing, not at all. I just think that amount of cash the cash could go to better use.
I didn't know this lass so I'd feel a bit off for contributing to some kind of memorial, that's a job for loved ones in my eyes.
I would prefer to be of some use in whatever small way I can to raise awareness and/or support victims. Is there is a specific comment that I should be reading? Did the family request donations for the memorial bench or something? If so, then people are doing what the family actually wants and that's lovely.
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Anyway, I'm busy and need to go out and do stuff. I'll catch up on comments when I get back.
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I am not against people raising money for stuff like benches and memorials and things like that because clearly people want to commemorate what happened and feel like they are contributing something and doing something worthwhile but I think that in this case public feeling is so furious and revolted about what happened that they could probably pitch a bit higher and do something to help all the thousands of kids/young adults and adults who have to deal with violent crime like this all the time. It isn't as if this is an isolated incident after all and there are communities who could probably do with more help.
Apparently the council in question have said they can't afford a warden or someone to patrol the park where the attack took place so right away there is something that maybe people could be directing donations at or trying to sort out. Maybe paying for a park warden is a bit optimistic but funding CCTV cameras would be useful maybe or just, y'know, something practical that will ensure that this doesn't happen again or that someone else out there is getting some help.
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The thing that I keep thinking is that I bet things would have been ALOT different if it had've been a gang of Goths who'd went and kicked some chav/ned to death. Imagine the media circus there would've been... Goths = EVIL, and the like.
...And I'm not sure if a bench is really going to make a difference. Sure, it's a nice gesture and all, but it leaves me feeling slightly cold. The money could definately be better spent on a poster campaign or charity making the public more aware of incidents like this.
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It's tragic when anyone dies in this manner, and it is intolerable that this society breeds hate groups in this manner - all the individuals were under 17, and have clearly been raised so badly that they think this sort of behaviour is acceptable. It was probably rationalised as: "I hate those fucking goth types, let's go teach them a lesson for being different." I wouldn't be surprised if alcohol was involved too.
I think the money would be better going to charity rather than into building a bench, but it is really up to the parents what happens to it, and whether people wish to donate or not.
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£1600 is a bit much for a bench.
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