Clowns have been making the headlines across the United States recently, and is making their way into other countries.
Growing up I always thought clowns were cool, I even wanted to attend clown school to learn how to juggle and paint my face, wear big shoes and play funny pranks. I also LOVE Halloween, I always have. I have never questioned if I was scared of clowns because I knew I wasn't. Tonight walking in my small hometown a fear overcame me, I was scared of a clown jumping out at me. I was absolutely terrified that a masked man or woman would try to scare me, rob me and at that point I wondered what is this country coming to. Hell, what is this world coming to?
Why am I so scared of clowns over actual people?
I was always raised to be aware of my surroundings, to always know what was going on. I took this to heart when I went away for the first time to a different city and state. I spent the second night of my Disney internship with two guys at their apartment playing Cards Against Humanity. My dad had called asking what I was doing, when I told him he told me be careful and to be aware of my surroundings. Granted the two guys ended up being fine, and eight months later I'm dating one of them I have always had to be cautious because I don't believe the phrase "It won't happen to me" should be one people use. Horrible things can happen to the best people. It could be the fact it is October and it is around Halloween, however, it isn't an excuse for people to terrorize others while being hidden in a clown mask.
Clowns are supposed to be funny, and an enjoyable circus act not horror movies coming to reality. Kids shouldn't be telling their parents to close the windows and lock the doors out of fear of clowns hurting them, I shouldn't be a 20 year old scared to walk alone at night because of clowns. There are so many things young women are scared of at night being alone in big cities, suspicious people following them, but never would I have thought to fear something I once wanted to be: a simple clown. Of course like all things these days, there is a clown lives matters protest that will take place to reinforce the message not all clowns are horrible and out to kill or rob. When I first heard of clowns committing acts I thought it was a joke, I didn't believe it until a 17 and 18-year-old woman in my own state were arrested on charges of acting like clowns to terrorize two 14-year-old girls. The "clowns" behind the mask have a bond set at 10,000$ each. They are both in school and have jobs. Their lives are shot to hell, future employers will see their criminal background and investigate or ask and upon finding out what the charges are for proceed to laugh and move on to the next candidate.
Being a criminal is horrible, being a criminal for terrorism is something that can't hold any words behind it. it isn't funny. It's time for people to stop being clowns and start being human. Contribute something to society, help someone in some way, bring people up instead of scaring them. It doesn't take a degree to be a kind person. There is no reason at 20 years old I should be terrified of clowns.
