The Astroworld Tragedy Has Destroyed the Little Faith in Humanity I Had Left

Travis Scott’s deadly concert was a failure on the part of many to act with an ounce of decency and empathy

Michael Arceneaux
LEVEL

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Photo: Erika Goldring/WireImage

As much as I’ve grown accustomed to waking up to bad news, I still struggle with accepting what little empathy so many people seem to have.

When it comes to the tragedy that took place over the weekend in Houston at the Astroworld Festival, as shocking as it was to learn that eight people died and hundreds more were injured, it might be the footage from the concert circulating social media that’s most haunting. In video after video, you see a level of desensitization and disregard for human life that ought to sicken you. Even before the festival began, as soon as the doors opened, attendees rushed security, in the process trampling each other.

It was clear from the beginning that people weren’t going to be kind to each other, but damn. It was just as evident that security was not as prepared for the crowd as it arguably should have been. Still, people should know how to behave — even at a fucking Travis Scott concert.

I can understand how some might not understand the severity of a situation in a setting made to…

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Michael Arceneaux
LEVEL

New York Times bestselling author of “I Can’t Date Jesus” and “I Don’t Want To Die Poor.”