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The integrity of the Washington City Paper has just been undermined by an ignorant and slanted account of what Holly Bass considers the “rave” scene (“Home of the Rave,” 2/12). Her lack of professionalism and close-minded attitude permeated the review she wrote and portrayed a false account of our scene.
I can’t deny that some of her accounts are true, but she overgeneralized and stereotyped an entire group of people based on a small minority of people she chose to focus on. Her prejudices were clear from the first line all the way to the end.
First of all, her mockery of PLUR was uncalled for. If she had really done her research, she would have realized that most kids in the scene are just as disenchanted with PLUR preaching, and it is no longer a sacred saying. In fact, more kids simply live by common decency and use PLUR as the easiest way to express it.
Second, she implies that most of the clientele of the Nation are undereducated and have “not even taken the SATs.” The preponderance of the patrons of Buzz either are college students or have finished college. I know people who have careers that range from computer programming to graphic design to management. The college students tend to be the ones who work at least one job to put themselves through school, and Buzz is the only luxury they allow themselves.
The last thing I would like to discuss is Bass’ label of “raves.” The majority of the people at Buzz will tell you that the rave scene is dead. It is. I have been going to parties for about four years, and I can honestly say I’ve only been to several parties that I would label raves. Electronic music has become mainstream. All of the most successful dance clubs bring in DJs; yet I am sure Bass would not label these other clubs raves. I do not consider Buzz a rave. It is simply a club with the best music that actually caters to a crowd that wants to dance (rather than get drunk and work the meat market). What makes meat-market clubs so much better than Buzz?
Basically, it comes down to one simple point. Bass will find drugs anywhere, in any scene. They are not limited to places like Buzz. They are not limited to supposedly undereducated kids. They are not limited to “raves.” I suggest that before this paper ruins its credibility among the thousands of patrons of Buzz, it apologize for the lack of research, integrity, and professionalism in the review of Buzz.
Foggy Bottom
via the Internet