Hot topic among the bigger kids gathered outside the local shops before school this morning? “Killer Clowns”.
The boys were showing a lot of bravado, talking about what they would do if they came across one, but I suspect in reality, like most people, they would be utterly terrified.
And rightfully so.
I can’t see anything remotely funny about being confronted by a grown man (or at least a grown teenager) in a mask, often in a quiet, dark or secluded spot. Children have even been followed to school by them.
If you haven’t heard about it, apparently inspired by pranksters in the US, “Killer Clowns” are now making appearances in many UK towns and cities where their aim is to scare or intimidate children and adults.
What a life goal (or should that be #lifegoals), huh?
To me this isn’t a “prank”, which the dictionary defines as “a trick that is done to someone usually as a joke”, it’s far from it – in some cases they are carrying knives, for goodness sake. Even if they don’t mean to use them, violence is implied.
I feel such anger towards the people doing this. There are enough genuine things in the world we need to worry about without something this ridiculous on top.
It’s not just about taking something innocent from childhood, a clown, and turning it into something nasty and horrible – that’s been done before. Who can forget Stephen King’s malevolent Pennywise from It? (Incidentally even the author has had enough of this strange craze.) But usually people choose to view that scenario rather than have it thrust upon them.
No, it’s far bigger than that.
Freya and I like to roam. Quite often in places that are a bit out of the way or secluded – even our local park is far from overflowing with people. It’s part of the adventure. And why shouldn’t we be able to do that?
What if we came across one of these people?
I’m not generally a violent person but my mother bear instincts roar into life if I feel she is being threatened. And by acting in this way, they are clearly being threatening – however much it might be played down as a harmless high jinks.
I’m sure I can’t be alone in feeling like this. In fact, I know I’m not because one of the dads this morning was telling the boys what he would do to a clown if he got close enough – and it wasn’t give him a hug.
One of my fears is that a confrontation will eventually end in violence and someone will be hurt. Lives will be altered, one way or another, and for what?
What do you think? Harmless prank or something more sinister?
After The Rain 
I think that it is possible that around here, Michigan USA that it started as a “harmless” prank. Though, we have had gas station hold-ups, bank robberies and schools on lock-down because of it now. So now, it is pretty stupid to put yourself into that position because people are now just assuming you are terrorizing and up to no good. Someone is going to get very hurt. It is just such a stupid, ridiculous craze and it needs to be over.
LikeLike
Wow, it sounds like things are really getting out of hand. Surely it must end soon? It seems like it might be just getting started here 😦 Thanks for taking the time to comment, much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I work in a small elementary school and unfortunately overheard a little girl talk about this. She was completely frightened and had heard all the kids talk of this. This clown thing is out of hand, much more than a prank and should be treated as crimes. I have never liked clowns, as they look creepy anyway so all this hype intensifies my negative feelings toward them.
LikeLike
I’m dreading Freya finding out about it. I agree, I think it should be treated as a crime. Someone was arrested in our local park after chasing a woman. Just awful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a strange new phenomenon! It is happening in my suburb in Australia too (apparently, I haven’t seen one). I don’t know what I would do if I encountered one. I also don’t understand why anyone else would want to make other people scared, it is careless and mean.
LikeLike
Yes, exactly! I really don’t get it.
LikeLike
It’s well creepy, I mean I am not a fan of clowns at the best of time, but I know that it would be terrifying to come across one of these ‘pranks’. It’s not funny at all. As you say there is the implication of violence and I do worry that it’s going to get even more out of hand, accidentally or otherwise.
LikeLike
I really just don’t get why those doing it think it’s remotely funny. We almost considered not running because of it the other day but I got so worked up I was almost hoping to find one and give him a piece of my mind!
LikeLike
It’s been terrible for my girls in secondary school, with threats and sightings… mindless idiots… take care x
LikeLike
Oh I can imagine. Poor things. I just don’t get it at all. Let’s hope it ends soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
MC Donald cancelled any activities in the UK. Too much media and movies are portraying clowns in a negative way, they used to be something more joyful.
LikeLike