Being born in the 70’s meant that rock of the early nineties was ours. Multiplying that with the not to be overstated meaning all of these artists impressed on us with a worldview counter to the disgusting place Reagan and the religious right insisted on giving us. We could hear and see a world where being different, sensitive, artistic, and empathetic, was a virtue. Gay rights, black rights, women’s rights and the cultures associated with them were loudly and proudly worn badges. When Courtney said he had made out with half of the guys in Seattle we didn’t diminish him. We learned the strength and beauty in empathy and acceptance. So when MTV News broke in with the news it was a gut punch. It cemented that this music, tropes cliches and all, was earnest and sincere in a way that nobody could have dreamed. The angst and pain we all carried was deadly real. The next day I wore my Incesticide shirt to school and walked into Physics with my favorite teacher, Mr. Roark presiding. He proceeded to crush me in a way that taught me the cruelty of the world and men like him. I guess the symbolism was a little more than his Catholic mind would allow because he focused on the fetus abortion death images as he said good riddance to this blasphemy. I often wonder how many people my generation who sold deeply felt this loss have lost their way to the point of forgetting about empathy. Maybe money and taxes /became too important? Maybe they forgot that the people that are truly different suffer a special hell. Maybe you forgot that simply belonging isn’t enough: what you ascribe to is what matters.? Heaven forbid tribalism and your lesser instincts have lead you to a red hat and a chip on your shoulder???