Southport - why do they keep saying a ‘Taylor Swift themed club’?

[SandrasNewDo]

It’s really bothering me.

Is it because
a) the murder of 2 children and attempted murder and severe injury of 9 others isn’t newsworthy enough without involving Taylor Swift’s name?

b) Taylor Swift needs to suffer some guilt by association in the way Ariana Grande did with the bombing at her concert?

What’s the need or relevance? If it had been a 80’s music dance class would they keep saying that? Why not just say summer dance club and then focus on the children and adults who were hurt or killed - I can’t even imagine the devastation their families and the whole community must be suffering.

Anyone?

I suspect it was to give some context as to who the victims were without them having to actually say it?

The UK media would be breaking the law if his name was published. Same applies to social media.

How patronising. Nobody has claimed that it is definitely the motive but you are exceptionaly naive if you think it is a complete coincidence that young girls were targeted. So you can have your sigh right back.

I think it’s normal and expected to share what the event was

It’s so horrifying people will want to know

Well, it’s a factual detail, and I feel it enhances the depraved nature of what has happened by highlighting the innocence of those who have been brutally slain and injured.

I think it allows the reader or viewer of the news to even greater empathise. My children and all their friends are all Taylor Swift fans, and would have loved to have gone to something like this, so it allows a lot of people to think ‘imagine the excitement those innocent children would’ve felt, and oh my God, this could’ve been my child.’

I think a lot of people are losing their ability to empathise to the degree they used to, and so detail like this will hopefully help those types.

I personally can’t stop thinking about this dreadful, wicked attack, and I’m so fearful for my children and the decline in society.

What bothers me is why the media keep calling the maniac a 'boy'. A 17-yr-old is a youth. Not a boy.

He wasn’t targeting an event/club stereotypically aimed at boys was he. The nature of the event was going to appeal to girls. This was an attack on girls for being girls.

As assposed to kids's summer camp?

I agree it's odd. What if the theme had been Cinderella or Marvel or football - would they repetitively name the theme of the camp then? It's like they're insinuating the theme had something to do with it, which it might have done, but that's for the police to establish, not the press.

Exactly

A Taylor Swift themed club is going to be made up of small girls. He’s targeted it because it’s a Taylor Swift themed event. Because it will be full of small girls. He’s not happened upon it. He’s not walked into an event at random. He’s seen a Taylor Swift event for young girls advertised, and travelled there with a knife with the intention of harming these girls. That’s why they keep mentioning it. I doubt very much he would have targeted an Iron Maiden event.

Crikey it hadn't occurred to me that it could be part of the motivation.

Probably because that's where it happened

I don't find it odd at all.

Of all the things to worry about. . .

We don’t know the motivation yet. It’s just as likely that he had some family connection to the event than that he’s an incel who hates Taylor Swift fans. We simply have no idea until the police release more details.

The media coverage is mentioning the Taylor Swift link because, as others have said, it highlights the contrast between the happy, innocent event and the horror of what then took place.

This is exactly what I can’t help but feel. That it was attack on children but in particular, girls.

@SleepingStandingUp

'This. It doesn't mention ages so they've included the club and intended age so it's clear most if not all of the victims are little girls'

It clearly says y2-y6 🙄

I posted the advert further up the thread.

A boy picking up a weapon thinks he's a man. He's also potentially strong enough and big enough to look like one.

We need to look after our teenage boys. Emotionally, many of them are still children, but physically, many of them are intimidating, and due to biology, have enough muscle tone/strength to overpower women and girls. They have hormones raging through them that they don't understand and that can make them think stupidly. They're also young enough to think they're invincible, will live forever and don't need to plan their future.

We need to protect them so when they are in this vulnerable growth stage, they don't get indoctrinated by incel hate. If we let the Tates of this world convert them, they're at the peak to be dangerous.

This teen has ruined many other people's lives and his own life forever. Until more is reported, we won't know, but given his age and the fact he targeted a female space... you can't help but assume misogyny is part of it.

I guess for a similar reason that the Manchester Arena bombing was reported to be at the Ariane Grande concert - the perpetrator likely targeted a certain place and time because of the people who would be there. A TS-themed event would be a big attraction for young families during the holidays.

What I find really odd is despite it being such a horrific attack resulting in the deaths and severe injuries to innocent children taking part in a fun event is the thing the OP is really bothered about is the media factually reporting what sort of event it was.

They’re reporting what they know about the incident so far and there’s a good chance that it was specifically targeted for that reason. Taylor Swift, a successful, wealthy, independent, feminist, child-free woman in her thirties represents everything misogynist incels hate. It would be odd if they left it out of the reporting.

I agree that mentioning TS establishes it would mostly have been girls there - but agree with the poster who said that the clicks will increase because of TS being repeatedly mentioned.

The whole thing is so sickening - those poor families who sent their children to a fun activity for it to turn into this horror show. And the parents of the boy - how must they feel? At least, unlike the US, the police didn’t shoot and kill him, so they can TRY and find out what motivated him and hopefully prevent other atrocities.

I think it’s contrasting the innocence of the event with the horror that unfolded.

It was the same when the Ariana Grande concert was bombed.
I think they repeat the name of the singer because it shows the wholesome of the event.

My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by these events.

You honestly think this horrific, brutal murder has received more interest/clicks because of the TS mentions. Are you serious??!

Yes, this was my thought too - it's the easiest way for them to communicate that this was a misogynistic attack without actually saying that.