Spirited Away :: Brad Walsh

Spirited Away

When I get really into making music I ignore all other creative things, so I haven’t been doing many recreational photos or blogging or things like that. But here’s a great one of Geneva from a few weeks ago that I got around to this morning:

Life is weird lately. I’ve been trying to hibernate, kind of. Odd scrutiny from every which way. My grandmother is sick and I can’t go back home right now. People in general are freaking me out more than usual. One of my friends got into a very public fight. New things happening. I’m going to be seen and heard more than I ever thought possible in my life. A girl I used to be friends with tried to play a social game on me but ended up pitiably embarrassing herself, and this is why I cut her out of my life in the first place. Just depressing. Blah blah blah, I am a tenth grader. I can’t even remember everything stupid that’s been happening because I’ve been watching Miyazaki to forget it. I guess I am a typical guy in that my way of coping with trouble is to buy presents for everyone in my life. Like I can buy their pain away. Or some just for presents’ sake for people I love.

I’ll say that I’m shocked by how many people think it’s okay to get physical with someone during a fight. That words and punches are the same thing. Or that enough words can equal a beating. Or that someone getting hit who did not hit first or hit back is something to celebrate. Literally billions of people have died because of that thinking. Yes, words and ideas and beliefs can hurt. Words can destroy a lot. But no matter what the emotional toll is, a word to the ear is a million times less painful than a bullet in the chest. And if physical violence is the end of a discussion, then the discussion is moot and we’re still just animals.

16 Comments to Spirited Away

by imyourmom

On June 23, 2009 at 11:50 am

feel free to send me presents if it will make you feel better. i’m here to help.
by Dennis N.

On June 23, 2009 at 12:00 pm

I understand that the violence that occurred was completely uncalled for, and I’m sorry if people are insisting that he deserved any degree of violence for the words he said. But regardless of the violent outcome, those words are inexcusable. I firmly believe that the backlash from GLAAD would’ve surfaced with or without the violence.

Words incite violence. The two are not mutually exclusive. That being said, I wish only the best for Perez, and I am deeply sorry that he was assaulted. If anything, perhaps this terrible situation can produce new awareness for how damaging words can be.
by Kristel

On June 23, 2009 at 12:23 pm

Violence is useless!! I love Miyazaki’s masterpieces, make me feel better everytime.
by Candace

On June 23, 2009 at 4:40 pm

Brad, have you seen Princess Mononoke yet? It’s probably my favorite film from Miyazaki.
I love Spirited Away… John and I just watched it again two days ago.
by NomDePlume

On June 24, 2009 at 9:33 am

Brad, for the most part I do agree with what you’ve said – However, in my experience, I’ve found that words do hurt, they can cut deep. Over the years, I’ve had things said to me by strangers and people who I love deeply that have literally knocked the wind out of me – The sting of a slap, or the bruise of a punch would’ve left me much quicker. Years later I can recall vividly what was said and feel the pain.. Both are terrible, violent, and uncalled for – May we all learn something and really think before we say or act… Love wins
by Geneva

On June 24, 2009 at 10:52 am

I believe that violence is a last resort for people who aren’t articulate enough to come up with a verbal response. Yes, words can be horrible and hurtful, but physical violence can wreak havoc on a person’s psyche AND body for many, many years. This story made me really sad. I don’t care what anyone says, Perez is the victim in this situation and did not deserve to be physically assaulted.
by Confidential (kent.edu)

On June 24, 2009 at 1:17 pm

I find it hard to feel bad for Perez not because of who he is but because of what he said. Words go deep they can cut your soul you should know that Brad. I have had many experiences in my life were someone has called me a derogatory name because of my race and gender. Those scars took so much longer then a black eye or a bloody nose to heal. I don’t know the reason behind the argument but what I did see was him instigating the situation. What happened to him was a result of his actions.
by brett

On June 24, 2009 at 1:41 pm

i’ll wait until “nomdeplume” and “confidential” post as their real selves before i take their opinions seriously.
by Brad

On June 24, 2009 at 1:47 pm

there are laws against purposely and recklessly lying about someone. there are laws against hitting someone. there are no laws against drawing penises on a picture of someone’s face.
by Baby Sinead

On June 25, 2009 at 9:36 pm

So are you saying that it’s ok to use hate speech(faggot) and draw cum on peoples pictures?
Because considering you complain of people calling you a faggot I thought you might view this throgh less perez friend eyes.

Honestly he shouldn’t of been hit but the way he treats people just means it was gonna come back in his face sooner or later. You don’t consistently say horrible things and not expect it to come back in your face. His blog, his persona are all disgusting and a shame to the gay community.
What is he drew horrible things on pictures of you and Christian? What if wrote horrible UnTrue things about you two? How would you feel then?
I bet this blog post would be entirely different.
Karma……it gets you.
by Brad

On June 25, 2009 at 9:54 pm

christ, sinead. plenty of people have written nasty and untrue things about me, and about christian. i have never once hit any of them in the face. the only point i have made about perez is that he should not have been hit. i have said that i think he made a bad choice with that word. i have said bad words elicit retribution within the law. all i have said is that he, i, you, britney spears and bill o’reilly should live in a country where hitting is not okay. so please give it a rest.
by Gary

On June 26, 2009 at 5:48 am

Amen Geneva and Amen Brad.
by Kat

On June 26, 2009 at 8:20 am

I grew up in a place where people hit other people all the time. It was not healthy. People are going to name call all the time and make fun of other people. That hurts too of course, but Brad acknowledged that time and time again. When you HIT it becomes a whole other barbaric story and THAT is a point I respect Brad for making.
by jason

On June 26, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Baby Sinead please you are not a member of the gay community. You are not a voice for the gay community. So please don’t try and act like you can speak for us or tell us who is a shame for our community. Go back to having sex with strangers for money.
by Baby Sinead

On June 26, 2009 at 4:35 pm

I’m sorry how am I not a part of the community when I have dated and slept with women? Really? Am I not gay enough? Or is it that I’m bisexual? I’m gay. And I’m a part of your community. As are shit bags like Perez, who mocked a man while he was dying:
http://twitpic.com/8et2f
And shit bags like you who can’t respect sex workers.
by Brad

On June 26, 2009 at 5:32 pm

ok closing comments on this one. no more nasty comments from anyone, please.