Will reality of 10 deaths be enough to stop antics of Scott?
Past incidents
Regarding “Family, friends honor Bharti Shahani, Astroworld Festival victim,” (Nov. 16): The family and friends of those lost will sadly never get their loved ones back, but will Travis Scott be back?
Mr. Scott’s history of arrests for inciting his fans to bypass barricades at past concerts didn’t stop him from tweeting “We still sneaking the wild ones in” in May after tickets to the 2021 Astroworld Festival sold out. Nor did it stop him from continuing to perform and telling the crowd he wants to “hear the ground shake” shortly after acknowledging an ambulance in the crowd.
While Mr. Scott’s past arrests weren’t enough to stop him from inciting his fans again at Astroworld in 2021, will the reality that 10 people died be enough to stop him?
You might believe Mr. Scott recklessly caused the deaths of the victims, but it will be the legal system that could stop him — for a very long time.
Ian Glenn, Houston
A relative of a victim of the Scott concert was quoted in the Chronicle to the
effect that no one could have imagined that such an event could occur. That statement is wrong; it should have been easy to imagine, but imagination was not necessary. Netflix has been streaming for some time a documentary depicting the career of Mr. Scott called “Look Mom I Can Fly.” Many scenes in the film look exactly like the events that took place in Houston. The film includes a lawyer’s legal advice following Scott’s arrest after a riot at a concert in Arkansas. The lawyer makes three points: The First Amendment gives Scott the right to say anything he wants from the stage; there was no riot; if there was a riot, Scott did not incite it. Scott was promptly released. I suspect we will hear these points again in the coming months.
I certainly do not recommend the film for either “general” or “mature” audiences, but it would certainly be desirable that authorities considering granting permits for future concerts by Mr. Scott view the documentary.
Paul Horvitz, Houston
Regarding “Tony Buzbee files $750 million lawsuit over Astroworld Festival tragedy,” (Nov. 17): It is high time for the news media to quit drooling over the Astroworld tragedy. I know, “if it bleeds, it leads.” But you have flogged this dead horse until nothing is left but a couple of hooves.
Dave Feray, Tomball
Regarding “9-year-old Ezra Blount becomes 10th person to die in Astroworld tragedy,” (Nov. 14): For a week I’ve tried to understand why any parent would take a 9-year-old to a concert such as the one at Astroworld, and, yes, I prayed for both of them and the rest of their family. A few days ago, we learned the precious boy has died. So now the bonding experience the father had hoped would happen has been placed on hold for all of eternity.
Carol J. Rhodes, Texas City
Not included in ‘we’
Regarding “Editorial: After Astroworld tragedy, reckoning with Houston’s embrace of Travis Scott,” (Nov. 15): I take great personal offense in this editorial using the term “we” and “Houston” in describing the implied collective embracing of a rapper and his “rager” fans. For decades, this country’s counterculture has welcomed the violent, vulgar and misogynistic music of many rappers. Now the same people that have promoted, endorsed and idolized these hedonistic performers are somehow shocked to see the sad and tragic results of a predictable outcome. Questions: Mayor Turner, are you still “proud of ” and still “love” Mr. Scott and the nature of the rapper’s industry? Do you still want to thank Mr. Scott “for keeping Houston on the map?” Will you publicly apologize to our grand city for your granting of accolades to the “rage” culture?
I take further umbrage at lumping me into the city of Houston’s embrace of Scott when the entire city of 2.3 million people did not show up for his concert.
All the politicians, promoters, profiteers, progressive entertainment reporters, friends and families who have found Mr. Scott’s violent performances and encouragement acceptable need to look seriously at themselves in the mirror. By doing so, they will discover that there is no “we” in its reflection. Edward A. Vesely, Houston