Who is to blame for the Houston Astroworld tragedy?

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Travis Scott, arguably one of modern rap’s biggest names, was on the Astroworld tour when tragedy struck Houston, TX on the evening of November 5, 2021. Eight people aged 14 to 27 died during his concert and another woman died. away from injuries sustained at the concert a few days later. The cause of death has not been verified. There is speculation that sudden crowds or overdoses of fentanyl from counterfeit pills were the causes of death. Compressive asphyxia has also been a common cause of reported injuries or deaths. Reflecting on and investigating this event has been on the minds of many, especially those in Houston, where all are wondering who is to blame. Is it the poor configuration of the concert and the lack of seasoned workers? Is this the culture created around celebrities in our modern world? Is this the post-pandemic state of mind? Or is it Travis Scott himself?

I don’t think there is a clear answer to this question, but I think there are many factors to consider. First of all, the setting up of the concert. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a shortage of workers, especially those who are veterans at their jobs. Was this a major factor that led to the unsafe conditions? On the other hand, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said that “we had more security there than in World Series games.” But do hundreds of poorly trained people equal fewer and more experienced workers? However, these incidents are quite rare and if there really is a shortage of experienced workers, these tragedies would likely occur more frequently. I think the structure of concerts may have a fundamental problem (or at least this one); no one should be run over – as long as they are injured due to asphyxiation – at a music festival or concert.

What else could be to blame? To me, it seems the culture around our celebrities is the real issue. Over time, artists, actors and actresses have distanced themselves from humanity and have become gods and goddesses, icons and idols for the “ordinary person”. There is a monumental hype around them. If they are seen on the streets, they are instantly mobbed for photos and autographs. The media immediately jump on anything interesting from a distance in their personal lives. During concerts, the public wants to be as close as possible to the artist on stage. By all means, I want to celebrate and appreciate the talents these celebrities bring to our screens and streaming services, but have we crossed a line? Do we now, as a population, have the mindset of putting our bodies on the line just to be a few feet away from a celebrity? Think about this: if you were at this gig, in this mosh pit, in Travis Scott’s sights, would you have done it too? I guess for most of you that would be a yes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world, and there is no turning back. Spending about a year locked up doing nothing and without large social gatherings began to overflow a pot of madness and madness. This pandemic has cultivated a mindset that we should make the most of every chance we have because you never know when they will be withdrawn. One day we go to a Post Malone concert, the next day we are in confinement. This new culture may have been in play on November 5. The ecstatic vibe that reigned in Houston at Astroworld Stadium may have been a direct effect of the ongoing pandemic.

Finally, we have Travis Scott himself. This rapper in particular has a habit of promoting rowdy behavior during his concerts. For example, in 2015 Scott pleaded guilty to reckless driving charges at Lollapalooza. Scott didn’t completely stop the show but ended the show about 30 minutes earlier than expected. There have been videos and evidence that Scott stopped when he thought there was a commotion or trouble in the crowd, as evidenced by the music stopping and his comments on the crowd actions. However, Scott appeared to see an ambulance and encouraged his audience to “shake the ground.” Now we can ask the question, could Scott have done something to calm this crowd down? I don’t think there is a clear answer to this question. Yes, he could have stopped the gig at any sign of trouble, but it’s complicated. Some say, including Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, that ending the concert early could have made the situation worse and caused riots. Overall, it looks like Scott didn’t know the full extent of the situation until after he left the stage. Either way, Scott faces a lawsuit that may or may not have substantial evidence to back it up.

In the end, there was a loss of nine lives. Nine young people who had a whole future ahead of them. It signals that something needs to be done. It can come from the place, the artist and the culture surrounding the celebrities and these concerts. I think there is not just one person or organization to blame. I think this tragedy rests on the shoulders of everyone involved. But it is not too late to do something about it, so this type of incident is not common.

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