A RAVER'S DEFENCE

To the editor:

After reading several articles over the last year or so, I feel
compelled to speak my piece on the subject of raves. Although a few
articles have been supportive of the scene, it generally seems that
the media have nothing to say except for the negative. I have been a
part of the Halifax rave scene for the past eight years. The people I
have met and the music have had a profound influence on me. I have not
fallen to the ideal that because I am a "raver" that I should also be
a "druggie," as some sources have classified me.

Also, I was a part of the strip-search that occurred on Jan. 29. I
believe the police should have informed those of us present they would
be conducting a strip-search. I was only informed after I was asked to
remove my shirt and I inquired about the nature of the search.

Also, the males and females were not searched equally. Many of my male
friends were merely patted down, whereas I was made to remove my underwear.

So, can anyone explain how this search was fair, proper procedure, or
even necessary? If it makes people feel better to lay blame on the
drug use at parties, blame those who are at fault. It is not the
ravers to blame; it is the people who are ignorant of the true meaning
of rave culture. Blame society, blame education, and blame certain
members of the media. Blame those who make no effort to educate people
on the substances that are available, not only at the parties, but in
schools, on the street, and every other place where you find people.

We need to educate people everywhere because it is not
location-specific, nor is it event-specific. For the eight years I
remember, the parties have been about respect, unity, love, music,
friends, and having a good time. It comes down to a choice each of us
makes for ourselves, but within making our choices we must take
responsibility, and respect the choices of others. Maybe it's time for
people to understand that is the reason most of us love the scene. For
without everything it stands for, what else do some of us have?

AIMEE KINDERVATER
Halifax