Words from the Showgirl - Community

Originally posted on Knox Harter's Facebook:

Ok... I wasn't going to say anything, but after seeing some rather disheartening posts and hearing some disappointing stories from members of the burlesque community, I feel obliged to say what's been sitting on my mind for a LONG time. 

1) Shows that happen on the same date.
Get over it. I don't care if you do a monthly, weekly, yearly, one-off, theme, whatever. It's going to cross with other equally important events in this city, it may even cross on the same time as another burlesque or cabaret show. DO NOT, under any circumstances and regardless of your relation or like/dislike of the show happening on the same night as yours, tell people not to support your peers and the "rival" show that share an equal spot in this community and are fighting the same fight you are. We're all trying to become legitimate, showcase our art, trying to make a buck. Naturally, do your best not to cross, but shit happens sometimes. When you become petty about when and where shows are booked, you create a needless competition in this community that is toxic to all involved. The SMART thing to do would be to cross promote with your rival show to build BOTH audiences and connect the community. Moreover, you must not have a good show to begin with if you feel the need to slander the other show. 

2) How you talk about people in the community (and other business relations)
Showgirls are excellent gossips. I am equally guilty sometimes. However, be careful who and how you spread "news". Make sure you're talking to people who either share your views, or are trustworthy enough not to mishandle the information. Do your due diligence and get your facts straight before coming to judgements, decision or actions, and if you really feel the need to satisfy your curiosity, try nicely asking the person who is the subject of the item. Conversely, take everything you hear with a grain of salt. Most gossip is personal because of the teller's personal feelings and recounts of a situation. And for the love of God (I can't believe I'm saying this because I feel like it goes without saying) DON'T FABRICATE INFORMATION TO MANIPULATE A SITUATION TO YOUR FAVOUR. Tricks like that make you a childish, immature cunt. That leads me to....

3) Respect each other.
Not all of us are going to get along. And that's a-ok! No one is expecting that. However there is a line of respect you must adhere to, and it is summed up in the Golden Rule:

"Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."

Here's where it gets tricky though, because by that logic, if someone is a dick to you, you get to be a dick back right?
Wrong.
The bigger, mature person takes a wrongful action in stride, and finds empathy with that who has wronged them; because the one who has wronged them is doing so out of hurt, insecurity or fear. You all understand those feelings. You all have made poor decisions because of those feelings. You need to remember what that feels like and find your empathy to your assailant. That doesn't mean you have to actually DO anything to or for them (in fact I highly recommend you really do nothing at all) but a little understanding goes a long way.

Long story short: we have one thing in common and we need to remember that commonality that binds us - we all have a calling to the stage. Our reason are different, but our goals are very much the same.

Harter out. *drops mic*