Obligatory Obituary

Death is a funny thing. I’ve only dealt with it personally twice, and neither of those times were close family members. Now we’ve gotten word of Robin Williams’ passing, and it’s like everybody lost their crazy uncle. Facebook showed that “Robin Williams” was trending, and my newsfeed corroborated that fact. I was saddened, but not surprised. Comedians often struggle with the demons that lead people to do what Williams reportedly did.

Many posted on Facebook. I could not in good conscience post on something which I hadn’t quite figured out how I felt about it yet. Almost immediately after the death was reported, people stopped eulogizing and started evangelizing. “If you know someone who’s depressed, reach out.” “Suicide is selfish.” On one hand, it’s surely a springboard for awareness. On another, at times it feels exploitative.

Matt Walsh, “blogger, writer, and professional sayer of truths,” weighs in on Williams’ death: “The death of Robin Williams is significant not because he was famous, but because he was human, and not because he left this world, but particularly because he apparently chose to leave it.” There’s something inherently dickish in the way Walsh contextualizes Williams’ death in that he focuses on the fact that it was suicide and it was a decision that Williams made. No other factors involved here. Not a one.

The name of his post, “Robin Williams didn’t die from a disease, he died from his choice,” exposes how blatantly ignorant the pro truthsayer is. He waxes philosophical on the definition of “celebrity,” hitting no profound notions and instead wags the finger at society for hoisting the rich and famous onto pedestals. Well-trod ground, Mr. Walsh. But all the while he uplifts a man for his humanity, the drops him like hot garbage because “he died from his choice.” Then he balks at the idea of “chemical imbalances.”

“We are more than our brains and bigger than our bodies,” writes Walsh. “Depression is a mental affliction, yes, but also spiritual. That isn’t to say that a depressed person is evil or weak, just that his depression is deeper and more profound than a simple matter of disproportioned brain chemicals.” Except that when we attribute significant depression to “chemical imbalances,” we’re acknowledging that it’s more than a mere mental affliction. Spiritualism might act as a balm for such pain, but it’s not a cure-all and doesn’t work for everyone.

Though he tries to avoid it, the world Walsh paints is a black and white one. It’s very much a his-way-or-the-highway approach, leaving no room for open-mindedness. He speaks only truth, no opinions or editorializing. Absolute truths. “Chemical imbalances” can be overcome. He knows people who have struggled with depression or committed suicide, so he knows the experience and he knows the remedy. He admits, “I can’t comprehend . . . the complete, total, absolute rejection of life.” For a fleeting moment, the man shows some humility. But throughout the rest, we get the same story: “Those who commit suicide are selfish.”

I’ve had my share of bad days, but I’ve never known suicidal ideations or self-harming tendencies. I think Walsh is in the same boat, otherwise he wouldn’t have spit out this drivel. Whether he’s aware of it or not, he comes across like an asshole, one who feels that those who commit suicide lack proper foresight because they perform an act that crushes the spirits of those around them. He comes across like someone who feels wronged by all those who killed themselves that he knew, even though in the end he’s the one who’s still alive.

Robin Williams has died. He made me laugh and he made others laugh too. I was bummed by his passing, but I know there were others much more hurt than me, especially his wife and children and all of those whose lives her personally and directly touched. His death reaffirmed the conversation of depression in the public consciousness, and with that the debate that surrounds our rights to live and die. His life, tumultuous as it was, was his to live. His death, unfortunately, has become ours to talk about and pick apart. People like Walsh are guilty of exploiting something they don’t understand to promote their own agenda. I’m worried I’ve committed the same offense.