RAVERS ONLY ENJOY THE MUSIC

Hillsborough is known for its diverse community. It contains people of all
religions and nationalities.

However, I am part of a culture that has been stereotyped by Hillsborough's
society. The "massive and global" group that I am speaking of is the Rave
Culture.

We seem to be misunderstood and I believe that ignorance of our culture may
be why society dismisses us. Ravers do not go to raves to do drugs, as many
people in our community believe. There is so much more to our way of life.

Ravers believe in the values of "P.L.U.R.," an acronym we use for peace,
love, unity and respect. When we dance, we dance free of ego, at peace with
one another and ourselves. With this peace, we are able to strengthen our
minds, bodies and spirits.

Love brings us to the music. It gives us the ability to turn to complete
strangers at parties and make conversation. Ravers are able to forget their
differences, join hands with those we have never met and share in the love
and joy that we have created.

Unity brings us together. At a rave, we feel connected to one another. We
share a common ground in Electronica Music. Ravers are a sub-genre that has
united. We respect one another for being different. Race and religion do
not matter to a raver. As bizarre as we may dress, other ravers embrace us.

These values enhance the dance experience. Ravers also embrace ideals of
freedom, tolerance, harmony, and self-expression. This is why we dance
fiercely together, celebrating life and our culture. We go to these parties
for so many reasons, not to seek drugs.

In this new millennium, drugs can be found everywhere. They can be found at
any concert, club or public event. So why are raves exploited for drugs
more than any of these other places? Just because a person may go to a rave
does not make him or her a drug user. Not all hippies used drugs and
neither do all ravers.

Rave production companies and the crews throwing the event also do not
condone the drugs that may be at the rave. Fliers for these parties always
state not to bring drugs, weapons, outside food and drink and bad attitudes.

However, due to human nature there are those who do not follow the rules.
Precautions are made though, and everyone is searched before entering the
rave. If a person is found later during the party with drugs, security's
job is to escort him or her out of the party, sometimes in handcuffs.

Alcohol may be served at some raves but it is only allowed in the bar area,
which is restricted to anyone under the age of 21. This is no different
from any bar or restaurant.

Drugs like ecstasy, LSD and ketamine have existed since before the Rave
Scene, which came about in the 1980s. These and other illicit drugs are not
new and are not becoming popular because of raves or the people that attend
them. Drugs can be found in any town or city, not only at a music event. In
truth, the majority of drug abusers use them in their own homes.

Going to raves gives me a safe haven to perform and express myself in a
unique art form. It allows me to be myself without being judged, which
society is not always capable of doing. Drugs do not enhance the
experience, the music and utopia that we have created for one evening does.

We will continue to pack into warehouses and buildings to share in this
vibrant life of light and sound, no matter what society may think of our
culture. I am asking those who judge us to open their mind and see ravers
for who we truly are. We just want to continue celebrating our existence at
raves.

While society may shut down the party, it can not kill the desire of,
"crave to rave."

Jenn Ruhl

Hillsborough High School