[tim]

Originally Posted by Calavera

Whenever "It" is brought up, I always have the same reaction; It is not a clown. It is anything It wants to be. At the end of the book, It is a giant spider. Now, I will bend and admit that It most often chooses the form of Pennywise.

Hmmm, insightful take on that.

Really, it was a matter of trust. Mind you, that wasn't all that made me cautious. As I had mentioned before, when I saw a clown, I had to ask myself "Why? Why are you, a grown man/woman, putting on that ridiculous costume and slapping on makeup?"

Sometimes, it felt like something was being hidden from me. Sometimes, I was just creeped out by the fact that an adult was dressing and behaving in such a manner.

Well, now I know why, so I don't carry that bias that I used to.

Ultimately, I think that this is what it comes down to with most people. They just don't understand and wary of how a clown inherently shakes us out of the comfortable everyday, and as a result are fearful and wary of trusting. Indeed, the clown needs to earn this trust by breaking down barriers, bringing himself to the other's level, and offering an invitation for you to potentially accept. It is a matter of breaking down barriers.

What affect do pedophile clowns and murderer clown have on your personal life? Does it outrage you? Does it make you put your head in your hand and think "Aw, not this again..."?

I'm frustrated by it. For one weak or flawed human being who has his sins exposed reflects badly upon us all. Too often, these "clowns" are not really even legitimate, respectable entertainers (such as in the case of Gacey, who was more of a fetishish taken up with a fascination of clowns rather than an honest clown himself.) A man like he was just plain sick. If someone is abusing the persona of a clown in order to accomplish an evil act, it absolutely disgusts me. Then there are those who are simply weak and fail to rise to the highest standards which someone entrusted as a children's entertainer is often, understandably, held to. (Take Pee Wee Herman, for example.) In this case, I just feel sorry for the poor person who is simply a fallen human being like the rest of us that had some particular peccadillo which came to light. As the saying goes, "There but for the grace of God go I."

If you could talk to a coulrophobe, and that person would listen, what would you say to them?

I think I would, first, listen to them and try to understand as well as sympathize with whatever legitimately bothers them. Perhaps if they came to respect me as a person (out of slap and motley, first), they would be open to anything I might have to offer by way of insight to build trust and help them overcome it. More so, I'd be worried about betraying that trust and failing them.