Charles Johnson, February 14, 2003
Photo: Cliff Biniarz

As 2003 is underway, global pressure is surely mounting. The last few years have been intense, to say the least, which leaves all of us looking for a break. This brings me to the electronic music “scene.” Where is it? Where are people’s heads at? Is the scene driven by music, by the DJ, by the promoters, by the producers, by the dancers, by the location? What is it that drives this scene of ours?

There are no easy answers, nor one definitive answer. If we look within, we might just find that there are a lot of different reasons and motivations that get us to the event and keep us there all night. What we can find is acceptance of difference, and accountability for the scene which we live. The scene is life, and where in life do we find that utopia, that island that is free of politics and free of judgment? We must learn to agree to disagree, and to find ourselves being respectful and perhaps teaching those who don’t know. In this situation, let us be humble enough to grow and learn from those who do know. We all play the roles of teacher and student.

How many of us know the history of the scene? How many of us know the difference between underground and commercial? Is there a difference? The scene is as sophisticated as the people who make it and live in it. We can no longer blame the scene for our unhappiness; we can blame only ourselves. Some of us who were fortunate enough to have known the scene long before all the controversy and societal pressure are thankful to have known something so incredible. We have a responsibility to everyone who didn’t get to be there, whatever the circumstances or reason. We have a responsibility to represent the way things used to be, by being understanding and supportive of the art and music that we are all experiencing. Now is all we have anyway. If we don’t like what we see, we must find healthy ways to change it. How do we represent ourselves to our brothers and sisters in the scene? How do we represent the scene to our parents, our teachers, and the people who run things? The scene is not just the night of the event, but all the time. This is a full-time, year-round situation.

Dialogue between all opposite positions is necessary, if we want to experience peace. Communication is a strong avenue that can lead us to a better understanding of our world. We can make a difference, and it all starts with each and every one of us. We must wake up if we are to experience that which we all know ourselves to be. Not only must we forgive those who have wronged us, but we must also forgive ourselves.

The scene and the world are shifting astronomically and there is no safety net, but there are people out there, scattered around the global communities, who have the same concerns, questions, and longing for the happiness and clarity that we have. Let us not underestimate the importance of knowledge and the power of heart. Read, research, study, write, share, explore and create wisely. Love, and of course, play!  We are the future, bless it! There is no reason why we should not start to or continue to expand and mature into adults who haven’t forgotten what it is like to be young. We don’t make policy yet, but we will someday. And to all those people who do, please hold in your heart the largest, most diverse picture of the world that you can imagine.

I pray we all remember what it was like to find a temporary liberation on a temporary dance floor, dancing to a nameless DJ whose selection was nothing but divine. I pray we remember the unity that we felt, if only for a moment. I pray we give thanks. I pray we all share our feelings and thoughts respectfully and intelligently about this scene and this world of ours. I pray that we all continue to find music and dance in our lives. Build, support, and create the scene you want to live in.

To all free individuals everywhere ... OM