Pretty much everyone who knows me knows what a serial killer/true crime junkie I am. Seriously. I'm starting to lose track of how many crime-related Facebook pages and groups I follow. I can article-hop on Wikipedia, Crime Library, etc., for hours at a time. My phone holds an ever-growing collection of highly inappropriate serial killer memes. My currently between-drafts novel is loosely inspired by a real case, and I have at least two more ideas in the pipeline also based on real crimes. And I've recently noticed that I have the ability to spot a fake Gacy painting with a somewhat disturbing accuracy.
I already know every negative thing that the general public thinks about this interest. I know that having this strong of an interest in serial killers is thought of as "creepy," "morbid," "sick," "tasteless," and so on and so forth. But you know, sometimes I worry that I might be in danger of forgetting these notions if I'm not reminded of them constantly. Well thankfully, E. Reid Ross of Cracked.com is here to remind me what a sad, creepy, pathetic person I am. Thank you, sir. I would be lost without your guidance.
Cracked released Ross's new article, The 6 Most Clueless Assholes To Ever Exploit Tragedies* a couple of days ago. This article spotlights such odes to tastelessness as the 9/11 memorial gift shop selling emblazoned t-shirts and mugs (because I totally want to be reminded of one of the worst tragedies of all time every time I drink my morning coffee) and an uber-expensive Ferguson designer shirt.
Slot number five on their list is dedicated to William Harder, who runs the website murderauction.com selling the personal items of serial killers, colloquially known as "murderabilia."
Before I start in on Ross, I'm going to extend him an olive branch and say that I actually do agree with his assessment of William Harder as an asshole, for several reasons:
1) He stretches the definition of murderabilia (typically thought of as something that specifically relates to a murder case, like original court documents, or something that a serial killer used or made, like Gacy's artwork) about as far as it will stretch to include banal and tacky items like autographed photos of death row killers.
2) His procurement of these items involves working very closely with convicted murderers and rapists, in a creepily chummy way.
3) He has been strongly suspected of paying these murderers for their contributions
4) He seems to really, really want to be BFFs with Charles Manson, aka The Biggest Piece of Shit In The World.**
So yes, I will meet Ross halfway and agree that at the least, William Harder seems really sleazy and questionable in a lot of his dealings.
What I'm not going to agree with, though, is his assessment of the potential customers who actually buy murderabilia. This hobby, according to Ross, is reserved for people who are "a fan of the 'social pariah' lifestyle or enjoy the occasional poltergeist infestation." But hey, he's not judging people who are interested in serial killers. Ross himself finds the subject of serial killers "rather intriguing" he says, but "it doesn't mean I have any plans to decorate my den with John Wayne Gacy paintings."
There's a level of acceptability for an interest in serial killers, is what he is basically saying. Buying murderabilia, according to this article, is beyond this level of acceptability. I, for one, disagree.
I've read the article several times now trying to figure out why it seemed to annoy me so much. After careful thought, I think the thing I really take issue with is Ross's lumping of murderabilia in with commercial merchandise. It's an easy leap to make, especially with some sellers like Harder being so commerical and carnival barker-esque in their dealings. Although I've been using it quite a bit in this article, I think the term "murderabilia" helps contribute to this view. Personally speaking I don't view these items as memorabilia, but instead as something more like a historical document.
I belong to several groups on Facebook related to the buying and selling of unusual antiques, and there frequently seems to be a kerfluffle among the members whenever one of them posts a Nazi-related antique. The seller will inevitably have to come back onto the post and explain that no, they're not a Nazi, they don't find Nazism acceptable in any way, shape, or form; they just find the historical significance of this item interesting. A few members will usually start whining about how that item is inappropriate to sell, but they're quickly slapped down by general consensus.
Things happen throughout humanity that are dark, evil, and hateful, and their existence cannot be erased by pretending that the things associated with them do not exist. The debate over what is acceptable for people to buy in the name of serial killers seems to me like the difference between purchasing an antique dagger from the Nazi army or buying a new t-shirt with a swastika emblazoned on it. One of these is a historical item that provides a glimpse into the darkest side of humanity; the other is just some asshole trying to be offensive. Try as I might, I simply can't bring myself to view a Gacy painting, a Ted Bundy court document, or a Charles Ng origami sculpture with the same contempt that I view the $70 Ferguson shirt.
Take a look at Gacy's paintings sometime, if you haven't.*** There are his famous Pogo the Clown self portraits, all bright colors and soft edges, Pogo's face looking much more round and friendly than it ever did in real life. There is the bluntly-titled "Sex Skull" whose bony face reveals the outlines of female figures in its midst. There is a series of paintings of Snow White's dwarves, that are superficially cutesy but just dead-eyed enough to look slightly creepy. There is a melancholy portrait of fellow killer Ed Gein, and a crude outline figure of the Zodiac Killer. Take a look at them all, and realize that they all came from a serial killer. Maybe you'll find it too uncomfortable and put the thought out of your head, an entirely understandable reaction. Me, I look at them and wonder. Just what was in the sick, sad mind that produced these paintings? Why did he find himself unable to use art as a healthy outlet before he transgressed into crime? Did he actually find any comfort in the colorful, cartoony figures he produced, or did they only serve to remind him of his own darkness? Did he gain any self-awareness through his darker pieces, or did they push him further into denial?
These are the things I think about when I look at murderabilia. And that is why, if I had a large amount of spare cash floating around (HA!) I would indeed buy a Gacy Painting or a Ng sculpture or any one of dozens of serial killers' private diary entries and correspondence. Not because I fangirl over these killers. Not because I think it's cool or edgy. Not because, as Ross thinks, I'm the type of person who wants to "keep a Satanic bible signed by 'Night Stalker' Richard Ramirez on the dresser of our guest bedroom."**** But because I see the value in acknowledging the dark side of humanity, and maybe, just maybe, trying to understand it a little bit better.
*Cracked, I do enjoy you a lot, but seriously, there are more creative ways of writing humorous articles than using the exact same "The X Most Y Items That Ever Z" template every time. Please start using some of them.
**At some point I'll have to work on a post about why Manson seems to set off such a deep-set loathing within me that other serial killers don't, but that'll have to wait until I have the time and emotional inclination
***Hey, remember earlier when I said I could spot a fake Gacy? I got bad news, Ross. YOUR FRIGGIN ARTICLE USED ONE. You fail research forever.
****I might, however, nail it to the front door if I ever move into a neighborhood that sees a lot of Jehovah's Witness foot traffic.
No comments:
Post a Comment