Henry Rollins Apologizes for Robin Williams Criticism

[Miles Archer]

Henry Rollins Apologizes for Robin Williams Criticism

"If what I said has caused you to be done with me, I get it"



http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/henry-rollins-apologizes-for-robin-williams-criticism-20140823

By Miriam Coleman | August 23, 2014

Henry Rollins has apologized for the column he wrote for L.A. Weekly earlier this week criticizing Robin Williams over his suicide. In a note posted to his website on Friday evening, Rollins called the anger his article provoked "off the scale and in my opinion, well placed."

"That I hurt anyone by what I said, and I did hurt many, disgusts me. It was not at all my intent but it most certainly was the result," he wrote. "I have had a life of depression. Some days are excruciating. Knowing what I know and having been through what I have, I should have known better but I obviously did not. I get so mad when I hear that someone has died this way. Not mad at them, mad at whatever got them there and that no one magically appeared to somehow save them."

In the original column, which was published on Thursday, Rollins excoriated Williams for traumatizing his three children by taking his life. While praising the actor's talents and his work on USO tours, Rollins said that he regards people who have committed suicide "with a bit of disdain." "I know they existed, yet they have nullified their existence because they willfully removed themselves from life," he wrote. "They were real but now they are not."

Rollins is not the only notable music figure to apologize for recent remarks about depression. Earlier this month, Kiss' Gene Simmons drew ire from Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, among many others, for dismissive and insensitive comments about suicide in an interview with Songfacts.com. Shortly afterward, he apologized on Facebook. "I recognize that depression is very serious and very sad when it happens to anyone, especially loved ones," he wrote.

[johnp3907]

1. Morris forever!

Rollins never!

(Just kidding. I like 'em both----and Dez and "Chavo.&quot

[underpants]

2. Still like Henry

Good guy

Henry, Anthony Bourdain, and Letterman is my dream dinner

[Logical]

7. Good guy?? nt

[underpants]

8. Yes

He is a well thought out guy who could have been a one trick pony. 3 degrees away I have heard that he is as he presents himself.

[Logical]

11. So his apology was a good one you think? nt

[underpants]

12. Yes

[Boomerproud]

3. Think before you blog Henry Rollins

and you'll save yourself and a lot of others unnecessary pain. This isn't the first time the edit switch has failed-not just Rollins, but a whole lotta folks have "apologized" for stupid remarks/musings.

[hifiguy]

4. That's how you make a public apology,

Own it, rethink it and come clean.

[etherealtruth]

5. +1000

[fishwax]

6. not a half-assed apology

Nice to see someone own their mistake.

[Skittles]

10. agreed

his apology sounds genuine

[nomorenomore08]

9. Given he's a depression sufferer himself, I'm inclined to cut him a little more slack.

Even if his earlier remarks were certainly insensitive and ill-advised.

[Logical]

13. Why more slack and not less? nt

[nomorenomore08]

15. Because he's at least been there, unlike, say, Gene Simmons.

Now, one might think his experience of depression would make him more empathetic. But on the other hand, having likely suffered from suicidal ideation himself, he sees what a terrible needless waste suicide (in most cases) is. I fully support the legal right to die, but I don't think someone should be handed a syringe full of pentobarbitol just because they're depressed.

But as I said, I think Rollins's initial remarks were insensitive and ill-advised - I get where's he coming from, and I share the general "fuck suicide" sentiment (especially having suffered from near-suicidal depression at times myself) but I think he should have shown more empathy (or at least sympathy) for Williams and his family. Brutal honesty isn't always the best approach.

[Logical]

16. Ok, thanks for the response. Makes sense. Nt

[Owl]

14. Never heard of him. Apology seems sincere though.

[Cha]

17. This is just so sad all the way around.. and for everyone going through

the deep depression that plagued Robin Williams and Henry Rollins.

A thoroughly heartfelt apology.. Mahalo Henry Rollins

[The Second Stone]

18. I understand and I forgive, apology accepted, not that it is necessary

Mr. Rollins, I know exactly what you meant, and you meant well when you said it. But you didn't understand the pain Robin Williams was under every day due to his depression. I am a depressed person. I have a portion of the pain and I understand it for that reason. But I know that you do not have that pain, and it is so terrible that it is difficult to empathize with. I am delighted that you do not personally know that pain and that there are so many people in the world that cannot conceive it without the most thoughtful guidance. It is okay that you were ignorant, it is necessary to what comfort I have to know that most people will never know the despair of severe chronic depression. You didn't know. We do. And we go one day at a time hanging on for our family, just as you imagined we might. But that isn't always enough.

I am truly sorry for the pain Robin Williams family is going through. But I know our sweet prince is now free.

Make jokes, he would want you to. Remember the laughter he gave us, hug a friend. Be at peace. The world is a much, much better place for your passing through it, however brief it was.

[trumad]

19. Disappointed as hell at what he originally said about Robin..

I thought he was a bit more enlightened.... Guess not.