Editorial: The Five Types of People at Festivals
**TRIGGER WARNING**
This article includes themes of unsolicited touch, sexual assault and rape.
It was Spring Awakening 2018 and our three-part girl gang was honestly just minding our own damn business. Alison Wonderland wrapped up her set and we were enjoying Tamachi while we waited for Zeds Dead. It was the perfect spot in the crowd. We were center, yet far enough back to have room to dance. I was turning to speak with Angel when I began to notice someone encroaching on her personal space.
He looked fairly out of place, besides the fact that there was no reason to be that close to someone else in this crowd. Not out of place like he was gnawing on a pacifier and sporting fuzzy boots* like its 2010; out of place like an undercover cop in a white crew cut socks and a Despicable Me shirt. Out of place like a pick-pocket in all black, slinking through a Galantis crowd. In this case, out of place like a predator in a striped polo.
He was “dancing” to a beat only he could hear—pretending to be unaware that he was inching his thrust hips towards an unexpecting “rave booty.” I quickly began pulling my friend to the other side of me and staring him down. We locked eyes and I kept staring. He put his hands up in defeat and began to scoot his way forward in the crowd. I watched the same scenario unfold twice before he was out of sight, “Even though he never laid a finger on us, we still felt threatened — violated — like we should have done something … but what?”
Later on in the day, a booth caught my eye like a beacon of light. Between a stash fanny packs booth and unique enamel pins was Our Music My Body (OMMB). There was no doubt in my mind what the organization was about and I excitedly approached it. The volunteer explained that the booth was put on by Resilience and Between Friends, two Chicago based non-profits dedicated to helping victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse.
She offered me a Busy Beaver button that said: “Our Music My Body” and a palm card filled with local resources and easy-to-follow steps for addressing sexual assault at shows.
The organization has been seen around Chicago at festivals such as Riot Fest, Lollapalooza, Spring Awakening. Local venues also work with OMMB—such as Schubas, Lincoln Hall, Sleeping Village and Beat Kitchen. OMMB also works with event organizers to write anti-harassment policies and so forth.
Over the following months, I signed up for their email list and attended the first available volunteer training. During my timetabling at events with OMMB, I became aware of five different types of people who attend live music.
Here they are:
The Assaulters
Our experience at Spring Awakening seemed to be someone attending purely to assault. Others may be there for the music, right and wrong blurred by various substances and reading signals that aren’t being sent. According to the “Rape Culture Pyramid,” there is normalization, degradation and then assault. Regardless of the attacker’s reason, it’s not an excuse. The mere presence of an OMMB table at the event addresses the normalization of groping and un-solicited touch at shows before it turns into drugging and raping behind closed doors. As far as I am aware, I never spoke to any while tabling. Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t. It doesn’t matter.
The Unaware
“Is this really a problem?” OMMB conducted a study that found that 92% of women who attend concerts and festivals have experienced sexual harassment in a live music setting. As someone who is a part of the 92%, this question came as a surprise. I was not prepared to answer it either. After explaining the reality of unsolicited grabbing and grinding, all these people turned into the third type of person at a show.
The Unequipped Ally
These people were, by far, my favorites. Many were aware that this happens at shows, either from witnessing or listening. My favorite, yet most uncomfortable, the experience was with a very sympathetic gentleman who insisted on throwing some big bills in the donation jar, saying, “you wouldn’t be at this booth if you hadn’t seen some s***. I am so sorry for whatever happened to you. ” It was. . .heartfelt. These people want to help but don’t know-how. There are direct and indirect ways to intervene. It’s as simple as asking the individual being harassed if they’d like to trade places in the crowd, offering to grab security or just introducing yourself. There’s no need for violence and many times, shedding light on a situation diffuses it. The ultimate goal is to make sure the harrassed feels in control; however that may look or feel to them.
The Victims turned Survivors
Along with those who have experienced harassment at shows, people carry the weight of rape and sexual harassment with them from the outside world. According to RAINN, 1 out of 6 women are victims of attempted or completed rape. Some want to share their stories. Others just want to say “thank you for being here,” with a kind softness in their eyes. The presence of OMMB validates their experiences and assures a level of safety. The booth also signifies to them that the venue cares too.
The Volunteer
Though my own assault did not happen at a venue, I always found peace listening to live music. By volunteering with Our Music My Body, I was able to ensure that this healing source is persevered for other survivors. (Meeting Griz and Ripe was pretty cool too.) Every volunteer has their own reason for getting involved that is unique to them. It could be their pure love of music, sympathizing with a loved one or wanting to be a part of something bigger than themselves. You’re going to have some great, maybe even validating experiences. You may also have some uncomfortable ones. But, as a volunteer, you’re letting other music lovers know: someone cares. You are the change.
If you live in the Chicago area and want to get involved, the trainings are held quarterly and the opportunities to be involved are endless. The volunteer application is here. Our Music My Body also updates its Facebook regularly.
Special Thanks to the co-founder of Our Music My Body, Maggie Arthur, and womens’ activist Yazmin Wheelock for contributions and comments.
*I have NOTHING against fuzzy boots and can occasionally be spotted wearing mine from my first rave in 2013!
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