Trapt's Chris Taylor Brown Discusses Online Drama

Trapt has been taking some heat online lately due to vocalist Chris Taylor Brown discussing various political and racial topics that haven't gone over well, as well as an altercation on tour with another band that spilled into online discussions.

In a recent interview with Loudwire, Brown addresses what has become a rather tumultuous past few months on social media, taking ownership of his recent comments regarding rumoured altercations with fellow musicians and various other publicized opinions. You can read Part one of the interview right here.

These events lead up to the release of new single and music video “Human (Like The Rest Of Us)”, which touches upon the theme that all of us are human, imperfect, and often make mistakes. Watch the new music video below.

Brown states, “We are all bound by the emotions that we as Humans are capable of feeling. When we numb ourselves, because the pain is too great, we are no longer Human. To be imperfect, to be emotional is Human. Your emotions guide you. Listen to them. They will allow you to feel empathy towards others and others to feel you, but only if you allow it. Open up and FEEL! Do not be afraid. The only way we can come together as one HUMAN RACE is through understanding each other. The only way to understand is to FEEL, even when it hurts the most. When you are hurting the most, others will feel it too. They will help you, as you do them. #Humanaboveall

He further comments: “First off, I want to say that I am imperfect, but that is what makes me who I am and what I think is part of being Human. This brings me to the recent spat of verbal barbs I threw around a few weeks ago that at times sounded mean and much like bullying. It should be easy to shrug off insults that have nothing to do with the subject you are talking about and are only meant to get a rise out of you, but I did not shrug it off and the way I went about defending myself is definitely not the way one should go about spreading a message and I apologize to anyone I may have offended. The message gets lost when you engage in this way.

"I read all of these words about one group of people having certain privileges over another based solely on the color of their skin and it doesn't sit right with me. I don't mean to poke fun at the whole thing, but, I did, and I take full responsibility for anyone who may have been hurt by me making fun of the white privilege concept. I have my views and want to express unity through music. I believe that we are all bound by the ability to feel the same emotions and that love and understanding can and do bring people of all races together. Anyone who wishes to segregate themselves can do so, while the rest of us move forward, as we have been for decades. I also believe that there are original sins and acknowledging them through the many advances that this country has made in regard to civil rights, go very far in showing how a country can come together for the greater good. We just made it possible for any human being to marry any other human being, how is that for progress?

"I admit that I can come across as harsh when my passion precedes me. If anything I have ever said comes across as racist, that was not my intention. If saying that 'white privilege is the sole reason for one human being having more privilege over another' is not true, makes someone feel as though, I or the band that I front is racist, then let me tell you now that this could not be further from the truth. Growing up in a mixed race household and having a side of the family whose roots start in Mexico versus a side of the family with roots in The United Kingdom, I have seen how people can be mistrusting of others based upon what they do not understand about them. Once they understand each other and get to know more about each other those walls are broken down. Understanding comes through clear messages and those that feel they need to be heard, should do all they can to be heard. I hate having to read how some people think that this can all be dumbed down to 'the complexion of one's skin.' I have a problem with one group of people being singled out on the basis of their skin color.

"Again, the moral of the story is how you spread your message and what you want to say. Passion can trip you up. It tripped me up and I allowed the narrative to take turns that did not help spread the message I want to spread. I came across as racist to some, because I chose not to give merit to the idea that only skin complexion grants privilege. I want to tell anyone who is listening now that I believe every man and woman on this planet can rise together, but only through understanding each other’s struggles.”