Byron has long had a dark underbelly.
Many places do, but Byron has sold itself as a young person’s ‘party central’ for decades.
Parkway Drive and its members highlight an ugly issue which must be brought face first into public debate.
How do young people learn how to be happy and functional adults?
The appearance-based sexualisation of young females and the violent sexualisation of young males is frightening. Young people deserve much better. I grew up in the punk era. I get expressing anger, but for us, it was directed at inequity, social upheaval, cruel policies and warmongering.
Healing from the dark times in our world must start with learning respect for all life. Starting with respect for our natural world and one another. And anger should be channelled into activism. Young people need our love and guidance. And they need us to listen. It’s time for us to behave like the future we all hope for.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
