For "obvious" reasons there seems to be a systematic destruction of the critique, whether in the form of music, book, or art reviews, policy reviews (close reading) - behavior, although judged privately, is never publicly discussed in any useful way. Just the meandering, whispering that leads to gossip, which leads to myth, and then finally (and with heavy hearts) FACT.
( I'm leaving out the victims name from this blog because it should of been her decision to reveal her identity. I believe she was forced to, and yes courageously by the sanctioned journalists who are supposed to cover our city with some type of ethic.)
For instance, the last two weeks in CLE there has been a sensational build up of half hearted, and vague discussion regarding the STEVE BARRETT Case. While this "case" is being investigated, and is in the midst of legal milieu (the trial starts July 5) it has been on TV, and in the so called alternative weekly. concerned folks (and they should be) have sparked up conversations on Facebook, and in bars. The victim of the privacy breech has been interviewed, by the media, and her life has changed rather quickly because of the shock and awe of the situation. She is by most accounts and public opinion considered brave for speaking out. I tend to agree with this assessment, but i wanted to bring up a few points that trouble me regarding the STEVE BARRETT Case:
1. What/why is the fact that child pornography found on his computer hard drive not the subject of the discussion in any real way? every time i've overheard a conversation about it - the subject has been the shower cam, and the intentions of such an upsetting breach of privacy. the media has not disclosed any real facts about this pornography. was it 6yr old naked, playing with toys, or was it teenagers pandering at adulthood? was it homosexual in orientation, or the age old hetro smut that creeps tend to use for escape? would it matter?
well, that should be the second question (forgive me, this blog has no editorial staff so syntax may shift, but i will be as diligent as i possibly can regarding grammar, spelling, and tense)
2. Should the age of the child porn subject matter?
3. Was there money made with the publishing via internet of the shower tapes? If so how much, and although this is extremely unlikely to be found out, and troublesome as a concept who bought the material? Are there people in our greater community, who knew both parties, and participated through purchase, or watching, or passing along the links. And for those of us within this community, identified by the superior journalism of THE SCENE as "The Scene" - how do we know that our own partner, male or female did not check out the Shower Flicks of Lightning Fingers?
4. Have you ever watched adult rated amateur videos, or check out stills filled with unknown subjects, and if so, did you ever consider that someone knows these unwitting subjects, and would consider your participation in the twisting of their images for sexual gratification grossly unjust?
5. What about the Child Porn!?
6. How did the story become such a part of the public fabric via traditional media, without the question of libel coming up? Or did it, and since thats not exciting we ignored our role as the defenders of privacy, and innocent until proven guilty. Some people within this so called community "THE SCENE" have spoken publicly to that very point, but that has been obscured by the gross/creepiness of it all.
For we know this man, and have seen him involved in things we love. we've seen him at the front of the crowd during a sold out, or even, nearly empty show pumping his fist in the throngs of the wonderful music being performed. As artists, we may have even been on a bill or four that he organized at Pats in the Flats, or some other venue and thought weird dude, but cool dude. Not creep. Not pederast/pedophilia.
the wiki definition of Pederasty
So what now? how does a community, loosely defined, but for all accounts considered his, recover? What will we do the next time a member of this community betrays our assumed trust?
I'm just thinking in type, so chime in, there is so many angles to this situation, i'm sure there will be plenty to say in the weeks to come.
I really hope it is all true. Otherwise how can someone survive an accusation like that one?
ReplyDeleteThe situation with Steve is disappointing. I however can recall countless of similar "finger pointing" scenarios were innocent people suffered via gossip.
The collective that is the Cleveland music scene is a ruthless bitch. She will castrate you without evidence, she will ostracize you without hesitation until you burn to a crisp hanging from the tree branches of your own unjust shame.
As for the article...
I sympathize with the victims. I am however so cynical that I could not help but think "there is another girl climbing up the ranks." Once again, I'm cynical. I can't help it.
So when the wheel is set in motion, I just hope that all of it is true. I hope that Steve was looking at 6 year old boys being molested online instead of 16, 17,near 18 year old girls just being cute in the shower. I hope that when he filmed these girls in the shower that he used the footage to gain access to these taboo sites. I hope all of this is true because it is the only way I can justify what is in store for Steve in the time to come.