COLUMN: Astroworld and Travis Scott placed performance over lives

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Kyara Morales-Rodriguez, Columnist

Eight people died and many were injured. A total of 25 people were transferred to local hospitals from the venue and 13 remain hospitalized. Two children, 14 and 16, were among the eight killed.

These are the results of the tragedy that occurred during Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival Friday night.

I’ve been seeing people share their experiences at Astroworld and videos from the festival, and all I can think is how avoidable the situation could have been if everyone just had more empathy.

Kylie Jenner came out and said that she and Travis Scott only learned of the deaths that occurred at the concert after the show. I don’t think that’s true.

The whole festival was live-streamed by Apple Music, so there is evidence of him being complacent while people died.

There are videos of him bopping his head to the music as fans screamed for help. Videos of him seeing the ambulance in the crowd and him still deciding to continue the show. Videos of fans who jumped on stage screaming, “There’s someone dead in there,” and, “Stop the show,” and their pleas being ignored.

The crowd of Travis Scott fans certainly wasn’t helping though, with many not helping those screaming for help.

I even saw videos of people dancing on the cars of security personnel when they were trying to get to the unconscious people in the crowd.

Imagine having such a disregard for anyone but yourself that you don’t care that people are dying as long as you are having fun?

Everyone involved is at fault for those deaths. The entire structure of this festival is a huge failure.

Travis Scott, a man who has a history of telling his fans to act belligerent and ignore safety measures, for not pausing his performance when he saw people were getting hurt.

The organizers skimped on necessary safety measures to make this festival happen as cheaply as possible to maximize profit.

The crowd of people snuck into the festival, making it impossible for anyone in the audience to move or breathe comfortably.

The fans who say this is what being a “rager” is about, not following mosh pit etiquette.

I don’t know much about mosh pits, but I know they have rules in place to make sure people don’t get hurt.

It’s the kind of space where you’re supposed to make sure those around you are okay. It’s the kind of space where the second you want out, those around you would form a path for you. It’s the kind of space where if you fell, someone would pick you up.

Just because it’s a mosh pit doesn’t mean it can’t be fun and safe for everyone. Mosh pits are not, and were never meant to be, death traps.

But some of those at the Astroworld Festival had no regard or empathy for anyone around them.

To Travis Scott, his team and everyone else involved: Was a performance more important than the eight people dead, dozens injured and many more traumatized at this festival?

 

Kyara Morales-Rodriguez can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]