Jeu De Lumieres

planetshhh:

The responsibility of women attending shows.

I am getting increasingly frustrated reading a lot of these ”sexism in punk rock” articles. Some, and only very few, are written the way I wish I could write. Elegantly, articulately, and generally they’re interesting to read. So before you continue with this, I warn you that I don’t in anyway carry any of these traits in my writing. It tends to be a jumble sale of opinions and thoughts.

My biggest pet peeve about these articles, are the women writing them not addressing the main issue of sexism in punk rock & hardcore (and potentially other musical genres I have no experience in). The main issue is the females themselves. I have never once felt unwelcome at a show because of my gender by a male. There’re the other things you’re made to feel unwelcome for; being a ”new kid”, not knowing all the words / album tracks / b-sides and rarities of every band on the bill. Not that any of these are more valid reasons for making people feel unwelcome. All your favourite bands sing about community and helping each other out, you should probably pay attention to that. Really though, the only time I’ve felt unweclome at shows have been because of girls. I use the term girls instead of women here on purpose because I know undoubtedly that a woman would show decorum, and be welcoming to any other woman attending a show. You know, the Spice Girls spoke of something bigger than they’ll ever know, Girl Power. In a world where there still is sexism in these areas, we should be fighting back at it, together. Not making snide remarks when a girl enters the room, arrives with a band and more. The amount of general looks and unwelcoming glances I’ve had personally being a girl travelling with a band is incredible. This has never come from the males (not that they’re all halo wearing compadres) it’s mostly been small minded girls. Really though, women have a responsibility at shows. Welcome other women, with a smile. Even… you know… go say hello and introduce yourself. Please don’t congregate with your girlfriends and comment on why she’s wearing that outfit to a show, or which band member she must be dating to be attending the show in the first place. The responsibility that comes with being a woman in music is to make other women feel as comfortable, strong and powerful as you do for taking part in something that is mainly male orientated. 

THANK YOU! I find myself often at metal/punk shows being one of the few women there. But it’s never really men that make me feel uncomfortable… it’s always the other women there. Although I have other reasons for girls making me feel uncomfortable… I still do agree with this person. My reason being by them dressing up in those little school girl outfits and having guys in the audience “accidentally” drop something to get her to bend over and pick it up it’s giving a bad example for all of us. It makes the rest of us feel uncomfortable for actually wearing clothing and not having just a random drunken escapade. Some women do appreciate heavier genre of music such as this, me being one of them. We’re not all just there to get drunk and sleep with some random guy who says he’s “in a band”. As far as the other post goes, yes, appreciate the other women that are at the show, but if it’s one of those drunken girls being a total idiot as I just described… I don’t think they deserve my respect.

(Source: whiskeyoverwine)