Now despite what the media, and indeed, most of you people ("Society")
think of the man that was, Elliot Oliver Robertson Rodger (1991-2014),
well, I as one (DVSNGH, Dave Singh) see him in a rather different light.
Though I can't defend the individual 100% for the actions that took place,
upon that cold, dark night of "Friday, May 23rd, 2014 9:30 PST" in the
small community of Isla Vista (Santa Barbara, California), as well as the
thoughts/opinions/facts expressed in his 141 page self-written manifesto,
I can't help but empathize "just a little" (understatement) with the man,
having been in (and still in!) "similar shoes" as the alleged serial killer,
having never "kissed a girl", "had a girl friend", need "the list" go on...
II. LONG STORY... SHORT
So, on the night of "Friday, May 23rd, 2014", a young Mr. Elliot Rodger
(single, 22 year old, former UCSB student, half British/Malaysian male)
went on a pre-meditated killing spree, killing 6 people, before himself,
while injuring 13 others, in what was planned as a "mass murder",
including the taking down of a "sorority house" (which did not happen).
In his arsenal were 3 (legally-owned) guns, hundreds of rounds of ammo,
as well as, his BMW car, also to been used as "weapon" against people.
The motive behind the attack was due to 'pent-up' frustration, stemming
from a life-long suffering of loneliness, rejection, and envy (of other men).
Neither drugs nor alcohol played a significant factor in this tragedy.
III. THE MANIFESTO
Shortly before the attacks, Elliot Rodger had a ready-written "manifesto",
personally sent to those "close to him", as well as, a local news affiliate,
giving a direct insight to his mindset (while also providing "a life story").
It made its way online, to the general public, within hours of the news.
In this (media-dubbed) "manifesto" (or, in other words, "suicide letter"),
Elliot would detail his life, from age 0 and thereon, and his upbringing,
in what was a normal, innocent start to life, before it became 'the shits'.
He pinpointed an incident, at a very young age (11), where he had been
rudely rejected by a young girl, which planted 'the seeds', of what was to
be a massive downward spiral, culminating to the events of 05/23/14.
IV. THE VIDEO
Recorded the day before the event, Elliot made a youtube video, named
"The Day Of Retribution", in which he expresses his final woes about life,
as well as, explaining (confidently) how he plans to carry out his attacks.
'Recorded' the day before, but not to be 'released', until the very moment
(of the attacks), had it been seen earlier, he woulda been reprimanded.
In the video, he implies how he plans to take 'many victims' with him,
including that of an entire 'sorority house' of young 'hot, blonde' women,
before taking it to the streets, and thus, ending it all in a "blaze of glory".
He failed at both tasks, however, having not entered the sorority house,
and only injuring (not killing) all those in his attempted 'blaze of glory'.
V. OTHER VIDEOS
Besides the 'infamous' video gone viral, there were other videos, as seen
in the 'ElliotRodger' Youtube channel, in the months leading to, self-shot,
with him expressing all his woes, some having very 'direct' titles, such as
"Why do girls hate me so much?" & "Being lonely on Spring Break sucks"
and others, trying to be positive, showcasing the many privileges he had.
There were also other videos, in which he expressed his woes, however,
with so much 'passion', perhaps 'too much passion', it sent alarms ringing
amongst some family members, causing him to permanently remove them.
Besides using Youtube as means of self-expression, as well as, venting,
his key intent may have been to 'attract' girls through his 'vlog' outputs.
VI. PARTY INCIDENT
So as noted in the manifesto, Elliot had recalled an incident, at a party,
in the summer of 2013, in which he felt "ignored and rejected" by girls,
causing him to step out, where he soon climbed atop a balcony ledge to
observe the view, and think, where soon a group of partygoers followed.
Thinking, this group of (mostly) girls had come up to 'socialize' with him,
only to see, they just kept to their own circle, basicly just 'snubbing him',
Elliot took it offensively, reacting violently, trying push them off the ledge,
only for a male friend to step in, and push him off, breaking his ankle.
It was this incident would be the 'main catalyst' to what would spark the
141-page manifesto and now infamous '2014 Isla Vista killings' incident.
VIII. MEDIA PERCEPTION
The Elliot Rodger killing spree made significant headlines worldwide,
capturing 'the top story' on all news outlets, and indeed, becoming a
sensation fad amongst youths, adolescents & those on campus grounds
(much in the same veins as "Columbine", "Virginia Tech", andsoforth).
In the aftermath, as is the case with all other mass-shooting incidents,
the (American) media has held up the "gun control (banning of...)" banner,
in (continual) attempts to lead to the mass in thinking "guns are to blame",
rather than "the individual" (a theory the masses continue to NOT BUY).
As a person, Elliot was casted as: the privileged loner son of an aspiring
Hollywood director, with a hatred towards all women and colored men.
IX. PUBLIC PERCEPTION
Elliot Rodger was deemed upon very negatively, both after, as well as,
before his death, having NOT ONE PERSON come forth in his defense
(or least one person to say "he WAS a good person" ...at a certain time).
Most people who knew him, or interacted with him (recently), were from
online forums, most of whom 'looked down upon' or 'made fun of' him.
He HAD one close 'male friend', to whom he confided in, only to later,
be BETRAYED by him (ending their 'friendship' with no hint nor reason).
He was outcasted by his family, led by an aunt, who was very negative
and outspoken against him as a youth (deeming him a "disturbed child").
And of course, society, having called him every (bad) name in the book!
X. MY PERCEPTION
Elliot Rodger, Rest In Peace, and may GOD rest his (tortured) soul! Sorry to "root for The Bad Guy", but my perception of Elliot Rodger was
(based on watching all his videos, tho, only reading part of his manifesto)
he was a good guy, who unfortunately snapped, and killed some people!
(and may GOD rest the souls of the poor victims who died in the maylay).
Though, I may not share most his beliefs, nor the same taste in women
(white girls don't quite woo me, prefer "fine Indian dining" instead, myself),
I really feel for Elliot Rodger, and the torture his soul had to go through,
for GOD, to deny him of what he wanted most in life, A GIRL FRIEND and
YOU -GOD- WOULDN'T LET HIM, so what'd he do, he said FUCK YOU!
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