Vapo-Rats at Block Party 2012

(above: photo from the IRON RAIL COLLECTIVE)

About 3 weeks ago, we started receiving some e-mails from concerned community members over the lyrical content of one of the bands performing at this year’s Block Party. The e-mails were in regards to a song written by the Vapo-Rats (a young band not on our label, but invited to perform). This song had been interpreted as hurtful and irresponsible in light of sexual violence and rape-culture in our society. Soon after having received these e-mails, we talked to the band. We had determined that this was not the intention of the lyrics or of the group as a whole. We then replied to and conversed with the community members who had reached out to us. We had also encouraged the Vapo-Rats to make a public statement in attempts to create clarity on this issue.

Sometimes our efforts fall short. There was still pain, confusion, and anxiety over this delicate situation, and rightfully so. Earlier this week we started getting more messages and e-mails from additional concerned community members. We had done what we could to further mediate between the band and people who had made their voice heard in objection to the Vapo-Rats performing at this year’s festival. At this point in time we were ready to ask the Vapo-Rats to step down from Block Party. They were willing to take that step in light of not wishing to cause further harm or damage to the attendees of our show & the fans of Community Records. But alas, the greater community had stepped up to help all of us find a position of growth, maturity, and understanding in these circumstances.

Yesterday evening (Saturday April 14th around 6pm), we participated in an open discussion hosted by the IRON RAIL COLLECTIVE. They had facilitated space and an opportunity for concerned and interested parties to make their voices heard. This mediated discussion was a big step towards creating healing and clarity in regards to this matter. The action of getting around 20 people in one room to talk about the hurtful and irresponsible aspects of this issue face to face and in a positive manner was beautiful.

Concerned community members were able to communicate about this situation and what was hurtful and irresponsible. The Vapo-Rats were able to listen & reply with their honest intentions and their hope to handle these types of predicaments more thoughtfully in the future. We as Community Records were able to explain our position as a group who were looking to merely form a place of understanding and unity amongst both sides in order to host our yearly festival. The Iron Rail Collective was able to take in these perspectives and construct a place of balance between all three viewpoints.

As it stands, the Vapo-Rats will be performing 2nd in the line up at this year’s Block Party around 12:40pm. They have taken the above described action to prove that they are willing to talk to concerned parties & were not intentionally attempting to create pain for anyone. They are also planning to take other subsequent actions to help create clarity (including responding to the hurtful facebook thread). We are all learning throughout these endeavors. To bring in a perspective from my new found friend Beck: “we aren’t taught, ever, how to deal with this stuff, because we don’t grow up in a culture devoted to anti-oppression. So we have to learn along the way–and as you say, sometimes we fall short.”

We at Community Records have learned that it is best to bring these types of things out in the open. When in talks via facebook, e-mail, telephone calls, and other electronic forms of communication the message can get misconstrued. Talking face to face with people and creating a safe environment for all parties to be heard is one of the most effective ways to dismantle suffering and confusion. We would highly encourage other groups who experience similar situations to use this method.

If we look to others (possibly our local anarchist collectives) to help us out, we can circumvent and avoid much of the pain and confusion that comes out of a situation such as this one. Bring in a third party get others to help. We are in this together.

Thanks for reading all this. I know it’s not concise and I know we all still have more work to do. This road has been long and difficult. We can make that road easier for all of us if we learn and communicate with each other in an honest and open way.

Peace Always,
-Greg, D-Ray, & The Community Records Crew

Hope to see you next saturday at Block Party!

Also…
Later that night there were fireworks over the Mississippi River.
That was pretty cool. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.