I am writing in response to Leah Potkin’s article “Don’t ‘rave’ about drugs,” as I feel that she may have some gross misconceptions in accordance with what the rave scene is all about.
I would first like to state that she does a very good job in describing the dangers that accompany the usage of ‘rave’ drugs. As an active participant in the rave scene for almost two and a half years, I have witnessed far too many people end up in dangerous situations because of their lack of judgment in relation to narcotic usage. Drug usage is a sad side effect of the scene, but it is far from the defining essence of what makes electronic dance music so popular with today’s youth.
Where I take exception with Potkin’s piece is when she asserts that we, as members of the rave scene, feel it necessary to take illegal narcotics in order to “appreciate the music” that DJs play to “cater to their drugged-out audiences.” I feel comfortable speaking for the rave crew, which I am a part of, when I say that we have a great appreciation for the music sans rave drugs. Many of us, myself included, actively write about the music we listen to and the concerts we go to for music blogs and music publications. We love the music for the music, not because it’s an excuse to “roll face.” In fact, I’m listening to one of Avicii’s newest songs as I write this letter. It is not rave drugs that are “taking center stage” at concerts around the world. It is the feeling of love, togetherness and pure happiness that accompanies a four-hour dance party.
EDM is about going with your best friends to a place where you can listen to music that makes you happy and jump around like a lunatic for hours on end free of judgment. Concerts are settings in which thousands of people really do “dance like no one is watching,” and some of the best moments of my life have been realized at the very raves Potkin presents as breeding grounds for drug addiction.
Merriam-Webster defines ecstasy as “a state of overwhelming emotion; especially: rapturous delight.” To me that definition represents every time I get to go see a show with the people who appreciate the music as much as I do. I have never left a rave without a smile on my face, and I’ve never left one in an ambulance like many students do at fraternity parties, house parties or one of the many bars on campus. The rave scene has its abusers, but so does the alcohol scene, and alcohol is far more prevalent on campus than raving ever will be.
I, in no way, condone the usage of rave drugs, but before trashing the entire EDM scene as a public danger, I wish Potkin would have asked those of us who actually partake in it regularly how we feel. Better yet, she should come rave with us and see for herself firsthand what it’s all about — the more the merrier. We aren’t all evil people, I swear.
Russell Kretzschmar
LSA senior