What's wrong with this picture? - Whitby Sophie Bench?

[ebony_dawn]

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.....

Comments

[orkney-rob.livejournal.com]

Hadn't heard of this, having been outside of the general goth scene for quite a while... but I do agree with you entirely. It's like these mass displays of public grief that seem to be going on all the time since that blond horse face bint that shagged the son of a large department store died and just about every other "high profile" death since. If it isn't someone I know personally then I really don't see the point in stuff like this - and to be honest even if I did know them I would probably do something more useful than sticking a bench somewhere with a meaningless message screwed onto it.

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 :-)

[happyblade.livejournal.com]

"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 :-)"

That's the sort of thing I mean. Money better spent.

[strangelover.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty much of the same train of thought - if something has a direct emotional reaction and effect on me and mine, then I will gladly offer my time/money/whatever, but if it's not so close to home, while it is a tragedy, it just seems like band wagon jumping.

As for the bench itself, I think the donations could be much better spent.