Perhaps for some of you that are new to the Rave scene, it might be suprising to know that the artistic movement we belong to started in England during what was known as The Summer of Love, back in the 80's, as an underground movement. A movement that was based on House, Techno and Acid music, most importantly, based on a feeling of love. Ever since then, the Raves are supposed to have been a safe arena where all people can come together to share and celebrate through music, leaving behind our differences in race, color, national origin, age, social status, creed or religion, gender, sexual orientation of any kind of social intolerance or antagonism that do nothing but lower quality of the human spirit.
In a Rave, you are supposed to leave your attitude outside and join your fellow brothers and sisters, hoping to participate in a mind expanding expirience, in unity with all. Unfortunetly this is a utopian promise that is bound to fail. Our culture has been the target of plenty of attacks by the authorities and the media all over the US, UK and the rest of the planet. All over the states our venues are being targeted. Failing to give us any credit as an artistic movement, the reactionary groups and the media have definately hurt our community. Some of the police force displayed at our events would make you think that the kids with telletubbies outfits and glitter are the most violent criminals and terrorists in the world. These are the 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. Its rather ironic that these people see our music as non-melodic noise, where as the generation before them called rock and roll non-melodic noise too. If your able to vote, get informed, know your community representative and go out to vote next time. Do it, or when you least expect it, your rights will be gone!!
The saddest part is the attacks we are inflicting on ourselves. Whats up with all that attitude and carelessness, kids? Whats up with the kids who are ready to stamp a NIKE logo on someones face just for more room to spin on the dance floor? Whats up with that nasty B boys throw at the club kids just because they are outragiously dressed or pierced? Whats up with the snotty cliqueish attitude of some who have been in the scene for a long time and are at the cutting edge? Doies that make you any more superior? Dont think so!..... Or those so-called "mature" older members of the scene who look down on younger Kandy bubblegum ravers and quote them as "cheesy". We need to understand the cultural value of the pop art imagery this brings about, our freedom of choice and the element of fun (yes, even pacifiers and backpacks are ok.) The last thing we need is retarded and pretentious dress codes. Rave culture should be beyond this shallow way of thinking.
Think.....Isnt all that shit pretty much what we stand for? Arent we being just as intolerant, mean and ignorant as those who attack us??! Whats up with those promoters who give a shit about are political and legal problems? Whats up with all that nasty event security? The media loves it!! How about those DJ's that sellout to music that doesnt 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 dont give up!!
Whats up with those who havent learned to respect there bodies and abuse themselves carelessly you are the core of our problems!!!!! If we dont stop the paremedic emergency interventions due to carelessness, we will get shut down. There is no way around it. Stop giving them an excuse to shut us down. Please be careful, and remember that less is more, if you respect yourself and your body you will get more out of the expirience. Getting fucked up is NOT what its all about. Its about the music, having a good time, opening your mind, connecting with others and reflecting the positive expiriences onto your everyday life. More over, enhancing your mind, soul and your spirit. Dropping that extra bean or mixing up shit is not gonna solve any of your personal problems. The answer will come from within not from other outside stuff.
Also who isnt fed up with the rude and pushy drunk frats and trendies who come to our scenes just because its "cool" and they pass out on GHB? Whats up with those who dont do anything for the scene? You forget that you ARE the scene, its very simple: if you love the scene and our culture, do something constructive about it. If you dont like the scene, stop bashing the scene, get out of it, and get a happy life. Many have jumped into the novelty wagon of the Raves without even realizing that we actually have a philosophical base: Peace, Love, Unity and Respect. Yet, maybe we, as vetran ravers, have failed to acurately passed 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 thats ok. Our scene, as our music, is an ever changing dinamic. 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. Its time for us to add an extra R to PLUR for Responsability. Responsability is not a dirty word. It is a matter of love and respect for yourself and others. It balance in our lives. Nevertheless, the over looked facts are the positive affects has had on many of us. Our scene is still a positive and friendly scene. We need to recognize the fact that we are the last significant cutting edge youth artistic movement of the decade, century, and millenium. In 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 quality qraphic 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 influentual to street sports wear. This is all a unique cultural expression that is full of inovation and energy. That celebrates diversity. And it is all of our own! We are the ones who will take the spirit into the next millenium. Because at the end, its all about our people. Those who make the music, the graphics, the gatherings, those who dance to celebrate life in the beauty of their spirit. Fortunate are those who look at the world through the eyes and 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, reachout and make contact. We need to educate ourselves and others. We are not the slackers and losers they want everyone 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 the night.
Next time on the dancefloor, on the playground, turn around, look at the person you might ever have fear of. Smile, reachout, share a hug, you might even make a friend. Prove to those who would like to poisen and kill your young spirit that we are far beyond their pathetic and destructive negativity. We are the cyber children of the millenium. 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. THIS IS WHY I RAVE. YOU ARE THE SCENE. *PLURR*
