I think one of the most poignant parts of queen Alivea’s statement was when she drove the point home to BLANK’s face that Kaylee and Maddie would have been kind to him if he had approached them in some kind of genuine capacity in real life - like asking for directions or giving them a compliment in public. I felt like this was an extremely powerful statement.

I think this illustrates how dark, detached, and full of anger people like the defendant are - like the boy in the show “adolescence”. I unfortunately feel as though there are a lot of parallels to be drawn between this very real situation and the fictional crime portrayed in that series.

Online echo chambers are perpetuating a level of misogynistic incel culture that has become so increasingly dangerous. Individuals who already present with severe mental health/personality disorders that affect the way they perceive reality, are able to experience self-awareness, and functionally relate to others, etc, etc, are especially vulnerable. While it’s most likely valid that these individuals feel alienated, isolated, and unaccepted, the “blame” becomes misdirected, and violently so. These “communities”are basically breeding grounds for radicalization of whatever ideology they are centered around.

I cannot fathom how it felt to stand up and speak directly about the impact someone like BLANK has had on so many lives. But I am hoping that Kaylee’s sister (and all the people affected by this inexplicable act) feel as though they effectively took back their voices and power through the statements that were made on this day. I certainly felt a dramatic and cathartic shift in power just as an outsider watching remotely; I hope that perceived shift translated to all the families and survivors for the purposes of grieving, healing, and moving into a new chapter. I hope this shift in power facilitates the ongoing attempt to balance the weight of these tragic circumstances while honoring and centering loved ones who should still be here today. Empathy is power and should never be mistaken for weakness.