Samira

This morning i received an email from a friend of mine, who took pretty serious issue with my Dragnet posting.� i guess i felt surprised at first, but then accepted it as an opportunity for dialogue & decided to share it here, in case anyone would like to add their thoughts. ======================= here’s the message i received: “Although you may think that the concept of an “all-female crew” is a superfluous thing in this town, the moment you leave this city behind, it quickly becomes apparent that female artists are not treated/viewed as equals to their male counter parts.” I hate to be evil here, but if you guys are so concerned with pushing a feminist agenda, and you openly admit it is unnecessary to do it here — why not go someplace else & do it there?� Why preach to the choir here? Just imagine if a bunch of guys got together in SF and touted themselves as an all-male crew… “Brother” …couldn’t imagine it, cuz it wouldn’t happen.� There is virtually no male pride in SF, unless one happens to be flaming gay. I’m just saying, if you want to look “political” you should probably go to a place where gender wars still exist… …which is, admittedly, most of the world. But not here.� Here it (Sister) seems like a tired gimmick (which, surely, will still suck in a lot of the laggers, but is that really what U are trying 2doo…?) Personally, when I am listening to a musician, I’m not paying attention to the gender — I am listening to the sounds… …if we are to be equal, it has to come from both sides. again, sorry =========================================== and my response: hey you– nice to hear from you :-) and don’t apologize: you are absolutely entitled to your opinion. Read the statement again: “Although you may think that the concept of an “all-female crew” is a superfluous thing in this town, the moment you leave this city behind, it quickly becomes apparent that female artists are not treated/viewed as equals to their male counter parts.” Just because female djs have it better here than anywhere else in the world [which becomes quickly apparent when playing out of state], doesn’t mean there is no work left to be done here.� in fact, we’ve come so far that it is easy to forget that we still have a ways to go. if it wasn’t for my exposure to less female-friendly environments, i probably wouldn’t be as aware of the subtle ways in which SF still treats female djs with less respect:� women are still objectified.� women still get paid less.� women still have to work harder to get booked. again, it may *seem* like a superfluous thing but it is, in fact, not. also, sister is hardly pushing a *feminist* agenda. unless you believe that creating a space for up and coming female djs, providing a website that is filled with djing resources, and throwing an annual drag party are considered feminist. this is not about being anti-male.� it is about being pro-female.� and, considering the hundreds of emails we receive from women all over the globe, as well as locally, we feel it is worth the effort. finally, i appreciate that your appreciation of a performer is solely linked to the music, not the person, what ever shape, sex, gender they are.� not everybody is like you, unfortunately. many people will still pack 1015 folsom to “hear” a topless dj trainwreck all night.� the Nitevibe dreamteam had not a single woman in there.� � i could go on. our drag party is a very special event: it is both a celebration of our 9 years of being a crew.� it is also a celebration of those guys in the scene who have supported us throughout the years.� because without them, we wouldn’t have come nearly as far as we have. call it what you will. you call it a gimmick. to me, it’s reminder. i hope you’re enjoying the summer so far. cheers sam

femaledj