Tag: controversy

About Burlesque and Why People Should Think Before They Speak (Including Me)

Another day where I have plans to write an over-due review of someone’s album and instead find a subject I am passionate about and/or an issue that has made me too angry for 14o characters or less to be enough.

On Sunday I found a certain post circulating through my friends in the burlesque community that shared some displeasing news: “Whelp, Facebook has just deleted the Wasabassco organization page without warning or appeal. We have violated non-specified terms. All the followers, events, content ALL GONE.”

Now I know how hard it is as a performer of any kind to use Facebook as a marketing tool lately. You send out too many invites that get declined, so Facebook bans you from sending any more. On the other hand, without directly sending things to individuals, the chances of these things being seen is slim. Burlesque gets the added fun of being controversial, however. For one thing, I know there are plenty of people who don’t understand what burlesque is or what the difference is between going to a burlesque show and going to a strip club. This is not to say I am going to judge anyone for attending a strip club or, on the flip side, for being a stripper. I’m just saying, they’re completely different animals. Personally I don’t see myself going to the strip club ever, let alone walking in there holding hands with my boyfriend. I have, however, had many a date night include attending either a Wasabassco show or one of two other burlesque acts that perform regularly in the city. That’s because burlesque is about more than just watching someone (usually female) stand on stage, take her clothes off, and jiggle her boobs in your face. Burlesque is like a sexy, classy, performance art, at least to me anyway. And to many people I know, it is a creative way to make a living.

This brings me to today, where someone directed my attention to a petition on change.org asking people for help reversing the censorship of paid burlesque ads on Facebook for “promoting pornography”. Again, I have absolutely no problem with the porn industry or anyone who is involved in it. I’ve seen some great stories of people using porn to pay for college, and have been disgusted by those that would judge someone for that. No, I don’t have a huge porn collection at home (although I wouldn’t be surprised if my boyfriend is just hiding it from me), but that doesn’t mean I am super judgmental against it. I say this now as a preface because my first reaction when I saw this petition was to get angry that anyone would confuse burlesque for porn. I went to the Twitters and got a little rant-y about people speaking about things they don’t understand and ruining other’s livelihoods in the process. My wording was poor, however, and it was pointed out to me that it made it sounds like I was discounting porn as a legitimate industry to work. I apologized, and immediately decided this was a topic too large for 140 characters to contain. I just have had to deal with people making misconceptions about burlesque for a long time, and it has finally come to a head in the past few days. There seems to be this negative stigma attached to anything remotely sexual, and while I respect people’s thoughts and feelings and their right to have them, I also wish they would not take it so far as to ruin other people’s lives. Yes, some of the men and women I know in the burlesque world have other jobs, but that is because (like any other art form) it is hard to make a living being a performer. This is their job and their passion though, and I just wish people would think about the consequences before they speak. No one is forcing you to come out to a show. Just don’t complain when they try to promote their show and ensure people who do care actually get to see it.

Thanks for taking the time to read through my ramblings on this subject. I truly do not intend to offend anyone or discredit anyone for thinking or feeling differently than I do. I just want to speak my mind and make sure the people who care actually know what is going on now.

Torchwood: American Edition

After reading today’s title article, I felt the need to share a brief analysis of the anticipated American Torchwood and what I believe will make or break the success of said show.

I first became a fan of Doctor Who and Torchwood back in December, when I finally decided to spend my vacation checking out what all the hype I had heard about both series was about. When I first heard that there would be an American version of the show, my immediate reaction was… fear.

Well, maybe fear is a little strong. Concern might fit better. Worry that an Americanized version would be a poorly made and watered down mess compared to the original that stole my heart from the first episode and dragged it through the ringer through series 3. (No spoilers will appear in this post, in case some of you aren’t completely up-to-date on your Torchwood watching).

So, yeah, I was concerned. Concerned that they would strip down the elements that, in my opinion, made the show great, until there was nothing left but a few mere scraps. Sadly, American television seems to be under the belief that its viewers don’t want to watch anything that is controversial. Or maybe they are afraid of the few people who will take offense to something. Either way, I find this silly. If someone doesn’t like it then they don’t have to watch. And if enough people are open-minded enough to accept the show and its characters for what they are then the networks can have what they want (namely ratings and money) while the viewers get an exceptional show that makes them think.

Now comes my challenge to the networks. I would imagine that Fox sees Torchwood as a potentially huge cash cow for them. It has grown in popularity recently, mostly due to the crossover it shares with Doctor Who. And who can you thank for that? Why David Tennant and Russell T. Davies, of course. David gave them his good looks and talent which, paired with Davies’ superb writing, made the show a huge hit. It was a big enough explosion to help the show find its way overseas. Now Fox wants to take advantage of this while it can, which I don’t blame it for. My only fear is that it fails to see the elements that make the show what it is, and ultimately end up suffocating it.

What elements am I talking about? Well, the writing is a huge part of it. Davies pen is razor sharp, and his stories have an edginess that should not be touched. The man pays great attention to detail. He also isn’t afraid to write a story that his audience might be disgusted by, believing that their loyalty is strong enough that they will not turn away. The success of Children of Earth proves he is right in his beliefs. If you’ve already seen it, then you know exactly what I mean. If you haven’t, then what the hell are you waiting for?!

Go watch.

Right now.

I’ll wait.

Finished?

Good stuff, I know.

Right, moving on then. (But still, no spoilers. Promise.)

Now the issue at hand: controversy. More specifically our opposition to it here. The networks have shown that they may be ready to introduce the token gay character on their shows, but they will not risk making them the lead. And heaven forbid they also be a hero. Because our heroes have to follow a certain mold, and mostly that means being this tough, straight, man. (OK, more women are starting to play the hero too, but the ratio is in no way equal).

So this is my letter to Fox (and anyone else who cares to listen):

Dear Network,

Please do not assume that Americans don’t want to see the same kind of show that the UK has been giving its audience for years now. You may not think we can or want to handle it, but who knows? We might surprise you. Give Russell and everyone else involved a chance to do their thing without any interference. Trust that they know what they are doing. If you do, your faith will likely be rewarded.

I usually try to stay objective in my writing, but this speech has been slowly building for some time now. I only hope the networks dare to prove me wrong and show me that they have more faith in their viewers than I think they do. Here’s hoping.

EvelynEvelyn Controversy

There has been a lot of backlash in regards to Amanda Palmer’s new project: Evelyn Evelyn. Personally I think people take offense by her way too easily, but Amanda seems to like the discussion that has spawned from it (which is something I have always really respected her for). She has written a response to all the commentary on the whole “Evelyn” thing, but I especially like this part here:

as far as people hurling the criticism that i am “hiding behind my art”….(this one has come up several times)

here’s what i consider hiding: producing inoffensive, corporate-penned, vanilla-bean love-story family-friendly made-for-mainstream-radio music that won’t offend a single person. and won’t make anybody laugh, won’t make anybody think, won’t make anybody wonder, won’t make anybody talk, and won’t change anybody’s life.

THAT, my friends, is hiding behind art.


My response, “Right on, girl!” People nowadays seem afraid to take chances. Some of that is a survival thing, which is fine. I get it, everyone’s gotta eat, right? Some of it is being afraid to offend anyone or be controversial though, and that, in my opinion, is a shame. I’m not saying you should be controversial for the sake of it, but for the love of God (or whatever deity you believe in) please please please get involved in the conversation. I don’t care what it is, just get passionate about something. Create some art, not because it will please everyone, but because it pleases you. And if it offends some people that’s ok. Maybe that means it was worth it. Because it got people thinking. And thinking is good. We should do it more often. Who knows, the world might be a better place for it.

This is getting way off course so I’m just gonna end it by saying that whether you love her or hate her, Amanda got you thinking. More than that, she got you talking. That makes her a good thing, in my book. Keep doing what you do, and love the haters. (It’s what Amanda would want).