I recently found this posted by a fellow party kid, and thought it was more than worthy of its own spot here. I know it's a little long, but please take the time to read this. I want to make sure it gets to as many people as possible. Thanks for listening, and feel free to give your opinion on the piece on the message board. Here goes:
Perhaps for some of you new to the RAVE culture, it might be surprising to
know that the artistic movement we belong to started in England during what
was called The Summer of Love, back in the late 80's, as an underground
movement. A movement that was based on House, Techno, and Acid music, but
most importantly, based on a feeling of LOVE. Ever since then the raves have
supposed to be a safe arena where all people can come together to share and
celebrate through the music, leaving behind our differences on race, color,
national origin, age, social status, creed or religion, gender, sexual
orientation, or any kind of social intolerance or antagonism that do nothing
but to lower the quality of the human spirit. In a rave you are supposed to
leave your attitudes outside, and join your fellow brothers and sisters
hoping to participate in a mind expanding experience, in unity with all.
Unfortunately, this is a utopian premise that is bound to fail. Our culture
has been the target of plenty of attacks by the authorities and the media all
over Florida, the US, UK, and the planet. All over our state our venues are
being targeted. Failing to give us any credit as an artistic movement
(digital arts of the end of the Century),the reactionary groups and the media
have definitely hurt our community. Some of the Police force displayed at
our events would make you think that these kids with Telletubbies outfits and
glitter, are the most violent criminal terrorists in the world. These are
acts of arrogant ignorance that even seem to be endorsed by the so called
alternative and progressive older crowds by just remaining silent, failing to
realize that when some of us lose our basic freedom to intolerance, everyone
else does. It is rather ironic that these people look at our music as
non-melodic-noise, where as the generation before them called rock &roll
non-melodic noise. If you are able to vote, get informed, know your
community representatives and go out to vote next time. ...Do it. Or when
you least expect it, your rights will be gone! Yet, the saddest part are the
attacks we are inflicting on ourselves.
-What's up with all that attitude and carelessness kids? What's up with
those kids who are ready to stamp a Nike logo on someone's face just for more
space to spin on the dance floor? What's up with that nasty attitude the
B-boys throw at the Club Kids just because these are too outrageously dressed
or pierced?.. What's up with that snotty cliquish attitude of some who have
been in the scene for very long and are at the cutting edge? Does that makes
you any superior? Don't think so!....Or those so called "mature" older
members of the scene who look down on younger Candy-Bubble-Gum ravers and
quote them as cheesy. We need to understand the cultural value of the Pop-Art
iconography (imagery) this brings about, our freedom of choice and the
element of FUN (just think Andy Warhol. Yes, even pacifiers and backpacks
are OK). The last thing we need are retarded and pretentious dressing codes.
Rave culture should be beyond this shallow way of thinking...
-Think. -Isn't all that shit pretty much against all what we stand for?
-Aren't we just being as intolerant, mean, prejudiced and ignorant as those
who attack us??! *What's up with those promoters who don't give a shit about
our political and legal problems? What's up with all that nasty event
security? What's up with some places allowing ate-ups under 16 to make more
money? The media just loves it!! How about those DJ's that sell-out to
music that doesn't induce Unity and a general groove, but play what promotes
attitude and competition? -A big thank you and respect must go to those
promoters and DJ's, and the "boys" who are true to the scene and put out
quality stuff. We love you, please don't give up!
---What's up with those who haven't learned to respect their bodies and
abuse them carelessly? You are at the core of our problems!!! -If we don't
stop the paramedic emergency interventions due to carelessness, we will get
shut down. There is no way around it!... Stop giving them an excuse to
bring us down! ..Please be careful, remember that less is more, if you
respect yourself and your body you will get more out of the experience.
Getting fucked-up is not what's it's all about. It's about the music, having
a good time, opening your mind, connecting with others and reflecting the
positive experiences onto your everyday life. Moreover, perhaps enhancing
your soul, your spirit. Dropping that extra bean or mixing up shit is not
going to resolve any of your personal problems. The answers will come from
within not from some outside stuff. Also, who isn't fed up with the rude and
pushy drunk frats and trendies who come to our scene just because it's "cool"
and then they pass out on "GHB"?
*What's up with those who just bitch yet don't do anything for the scene.
You forget that YOU are the scene. "You, me, all of us, whom are looking for
the key, the key that will open the door, to the world, the world, of
love...". (remember?) =D - It is very simple: if you love our culture, do
something constructive about it. If you don't like our scene, stop bashing
it, get out of it, and get a happy life. Many have jumped into the novelty
wagon of the raves without realizing that we actually have a philosophical
base: PEACE, LOVE, UNITY, RESPECT. Yet, maybe we, the veteran ravers, have
failed to accurately pass-on the message of PLUR to the new kids. True, the
scene is not what it used to be.
-Of course not! It will never be, and that's OK. Our scene, as our music,
is based on an ever changing dynamic. We must learn to guide it to the right
directions. If the scene ever stops evolving it will certainly die. It is
also time to move to the next step and evolve. It is time for us to add an
extra R to PLUR for responsibility. Responsibility is not a dirty word. It
is a matter of love and respect for yourself and others. It is a matter of
balance in our lives. Nevertheless, the overlooked facts are the positive
effects the RAVE SCENE has had in many of us. Our scene still is a positive
friendly scene. We need to recognize the fact that we are the last
significant cutting edge youth artistic movement of the Decade, the Century,
of the Millennium. An underground movement that belongs to the young people
and that connects us at a global level. Technology has opened the door to
countless young creative minds as never before in History. Minds that have
produced extraordinary beautiful music never before imagined, as well as
outstanding quality Graphic Design Art as it is seen in our flyers,
magazines, and 3D Computer graphics, many of it deserving to be at any
Pop-Art gallery. Our fashion designs are awesome and very influential to
street sports-ware. This is all a unique cultural expression that is all full
of innovation and energy. It celebrates diversity. And it is all of our own!
We are the ones who will take the SPIRIT into the next MILLENNIUM. Because
at the end it's all about our people. Those who make the music, the
graphics, the gatherings, those who dance to celebrate life and the beauty of
their spirit. Fortunate are those who look at the world with the eyes and
the heart of a child. The UNDERGROUND DANCE COMMUNITY, you know who you are,
the Space Cadets, true to the scene, the music, and their friends. To those
here to make real friends at the scene, cultivate that friendship, it may be
one of the most valuable things in your life... This letter is for all of
you, because you are not alone. We are scattered and divided. We need to
unite, reach out and make contact. Educate ourselves and others. We are not
the slacker losers they want you to believe we are. We are creative,
dynamic, young, peaceful, evolving, beautiful people. We are the next level.
Keep it alive, you are the underground!! We are the children of light...
Next time on the dance floor, on the playground, turn around, look at that
person you might even have fear of, smile, reach out, share a hug, you might
even make a friend. Prove to those who would like to poison and kill your
young spirit, that we are far beyond their pathetic destructive negativity.
We are the cyber children of the Millennium. Dancing the groove with
everyone instead of one. Spread the joy around you with the heart of a
child.
.
Take care and respect yourself and others.
Let the music set your spirit free.
plurr
THIS IS WHY I RAVE
YOU ARE THE SCENE
PEACE LOVE UNITY RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY
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