Fluffies, kandi, PLUR, diffraction glasses and rolling… all terms (almost) no one outside of the “rave culture” understands.
A stigma usually attaches itself to the term “rave.”
This is mainly because the culture is that of a niche market, so many throw it to the side with a sly eye roll and perhaps a backhanded comment.
It is extremely easy to generalize ravers as out-of-control, naive lunatics because of their happy-go-lucky, short-term attitudes.
But, is that not perhaps the exact outlook humans should embrace?
We have been told an uncountable amount of times to live without stress and exude happiness.
Although I am someone who has never attended anything near a rave, I can spot the masses’ underlying fascination with its eccentricity — more than one group of teenagers or young adults haveexperimented with at least one facet of this culture.
Avicii, Deadmau5 and Tiesto are incontrovertibly extremely well-known disc jockeys.
The Color Run, a run in which you are showered with color periodically throughout the race and ending in a participant-wide dance party, is now a current trend.
In fact, a group of students from Florida Southern College are preparing to be colored for the run in Orlando on Oct. 22.
FSC’s own Theta Chi recently hosted their annual rave-like event, “Theta Chi Glow” with over 100 attendees.
PLUR– an acronym for peace, love unity and respect—is a driving force behind raves.
Most people will wander around trading kandi (colorful, inspirational bracelets) and spreading PLUR.
These are all terms that, as humans, we try to associate ourselves with.
So, as much as the “Rave Culture” seems unrelatable, it is quite the opposite.
As most know, drugs are no stranger to the rave scene.
Recently, the Electric-Zoo festival hosted not only several DJs, but also two deaths from drug overdose. Controversy, once again, envelops the rave community.
Emily Hall, an FSC student and rave-connoisseur, is extremely well versed in the introductory terms of this article.
“Personally, I have never witnessed or experienced danger at a rave. But just like any other activity, it is important to keep safety a priority,” Hall said.
Naturally, condolences are sent to the afflicted families, but as FSC students this is yet another opportunity to grow and learn.
Being college students, our freedom is hardly tapered.
This incident only stresses the absolute gravity of being safe and making choices that are not negatively life-altering.
“Be an adult, make smart decisions, and take care of yourself,” Hall said.
Rave culture is so much more than an opportune moment to dabble with drugs. It is a beacon of light for positive people enjoying music they love, with people they love.
This article is in no way meant to patronize or chide the FSC community.
But, if you are ever to make a snap-judgment on an individual’s unconventional attitude, remember that most likely, you can relate on more than one level. Keep an open mind.