Thxes to Pikachu. for this:
"
DEAR FELLOW RAVERS:
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 California, 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’n’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 back-packs 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
s--- 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 s--- 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 f---ed-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 hit
or mixing up s--- 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 Computergraphics, 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.
"
What a great ideal ^.^
[I]
