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If you’re a fan of EDM and all its genres, you know just how incredible it is. The atmosphere of music festivals, the people you meet, and everything in between just makes it so special and unique. EDM consists of a culture that preaches peace, love, unity, and respect (PLUR, if you will) that makes everyone and anyone feel comfortable and happy. I know many people will agree with me when I say that I have never felt more accepted as my true self than when I’m at an EDM festival. Everyone dresses crazy, lets loose, and just spreads the love and respect that makes these festivals completely intoxicating.

It’s truly difficult for me as an individual to describe why EDM is so life changing; so I thought why not ask for some help?

I went to the EDC Orlando 2017 group on Facebook and created a post asking the 3,000+ members what would be their favorite part of EDM and EDM festivals!

Here are their beautiful and original responses:

Stephanie Dickey: "There are so many things about raving / going to festivals that I love. I'm from Maine, so not many events come my way so I have to travel at least 8 hours. Because I live so far from events, I've gotten to travel all over for festivals. My favorite part is meeting people from all over the world. I have friends that I meet up with every year now, that if I didn't start attending shows, than I would have never met them. Everyone is always so nice and accepting in the rave community. Everyone accepts people for who they are. No one cares if you gay, straight, white, black, Asian, Hispanic, rich, poor or anything. Nothing really matters for those few hours except for what is happening right there in front of you."

Tania Lizbeth R: "Simply put....The peace, the love, the unity, the respect and most of all.....the music.

Taha Mehdi: My favorite part about festivals is the general good vibes that are always present... It brings the best out of people and our community is unlike any other. When you take that and add in music by amazing artists, mind blowing lights, sound, and stage production, you're in a completely judgment free zone that is straight up magical. And at a time when the world is filled with hate it's amazing to be part of a movement promoting love."

Cindy Lopez: "My favorite part of going to music festivals is the people and the music. The music is so magical and I feel like in some where else when EDM plays when I'm at a music festival all my problems are gone and I'm just living the moment and I'm the happiest person alive. The fact that music festivals attract beautiful And amazing people and we are all there for the same reason is amazing. Being able to meet new people and connect with them through music is amazing."

Mia Alaire Ivey: "I love trap, or drum and bass...my favorite part of going to festivals is dressing up."

Kymberly Luft: "My favorite part of going to raves is the love that surrounds everyone. As soon as you walk in, the feelings of stress, pain, worries, & judgement all leave. I live in Door County WI, Summerset Music Fest in Somerset, was my first festival. It changed my life forever. I have never experienced so much positivity from so many people in my life. EDC Orlando was my 2nd this year & I will continue to travel to shows as much as I can.
I thought I loved music before, but since then, I can't even put into words the way it makes me feel. The filth, & head banging music makes my body just want to jam out and go crazy, feeling the bass throughout your whole body. All with permagrin on my face. Then you get the feelers. The way that type of edm ignites all of your happiness to bring you to tears is incredible. When I hear certain songs I've heard at shows, I still get goosebumps.
The power of music is one of the most amazing things in life. To relate with so many different types of people at the same time, is truly world peace for those short hours. 💚"

Paola Gonzalez: "Festivals are a safe space for many of us. We can be ourselves without judgment or explanation. I'm free to dress up as much or as little as I'd like and I'm still welcomed with warmth and happiness. I've had the pleasure of meeting some of the sweetest souls at these kinds of events."

Greg Packer: "I love everything that the Rave scene brings to so many people. I love the Music, The outfits, And most of all, The Chance to be among so many people as one no matter what you are. Everyone and anyone is welcome at a Rave Festival as long as one another is accepted and respected."

Dimar El Brujo Klammer: "The music, the people, the frienz yet 2 B MaDe...I looove every single 1 of my edm f∆M!!!

Oh, yea...da visualz t00.....lmao"

Greg Gauss: "My favorite part of dance music is the natural high you get when the bass drops and you hear your favorite song, or a new remix of something you love.
My favorite part of music festivals is the interactions with all the lovely people, all smiling and having the time of their lives. ❤-DJ GREG"

As you can see, there is a lot of love in this culture. The music promotes wild dancing and the growth of human interaction. Going into a festival, people feel safe and are not judged for being themselves. No matter who you are or where you’re from, once you walk through those gates you are welcomed into open arms. And THAT’S why I love EDM, and why I look forward to every festival I plan to attend. Spread the PLUR, and rave on!

With love, Megan

Cover Image Credit: MTL Blog

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Dear Shondaland, You Made A Mistake Because April Kepner Deserves Better

"April Kepner... you're not average"

Amanda Holt

Amanda Holt Mar 25, 2018

201014

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I'll admit from the first time we were introduced to April in Season 6, I didn't like her so much. I mean we hated the "Mercy Westers" in the first place, so how could we see the potential in the annoying, know-it-all resident that was trying to compete with our beloved Lexie Grey.

But then, we saw her come face-to-face with a killer and thought maybe she had potential.

We then saw her surprise everyone when she proved to be the next trauma surgeon in the making and we were intrigued.

Notice how none of these stories had anything to do with Jackson Avery. Not that we didn't love her with Jackson, but for whatever reason you've chosen to end their very popular relationship. Suddenly, you think that April is not worth further exploration but you've forgotten one simple thing. We fell in love with her before "Japril" was ever in the picture.

We love her because her story was unlike the others and she had one of the best character developments on the show. She wasn't damaged like Meredith Grey or Alex Karev who have been on their journey to become all whole and healed, but she still had to fight hard to be taken seriously. Her story has so much potential for future development, but you've decided to throw it all away for "creative reasons."

I'm sorry, but there's nothing creative about doing the exact same thing you've done to all the other characters who have left the show. We've endured the loss of many beloved characters when you chose to write off George, Henry, Mark, and Lexie. We even took it when you did the unthinkable and wrote McDreamy out of the show - killing off one half of the leading couple. (WHO DOES THAT???)

But April Kepner? Are you kidding me?

She may no longer be with Jackson, but she was so much more than half of Japril. While most of us hate that Jackson and April are over, we probably could have dealt with it if April was still on the show. Now they're done and you think there aren't any more stories to tell about her character. Why? Because she'll just get in the way of Jackson and Maggie?

How could you not see that she was way more than Jackson's love interest?

She's so much more than you imagined her to be. April is the headstrong, talented trauma surgeon no one saw coming. The farmer's daughter started off an ugly duckling who became a soldier because she needed to be one and turned into one big beautiful swan who constantly has to fight for her coworkers and family to see her as such.

She's proven to be a soldier and swan on many occasions. Just take giving birth to her daughter in a storm on a kitchen table during an emergency c-section without any numbing or pain medication as an example. If she wasn't a soldier or a swan before, how could she not be after that?

Yet, you - the ones who created her - still see her as the ugly duckling of a character because she always had to take the backseat to everyone else's story and was never allowed to really be seen.

But we see her.

She's the youngest of her sisters who still think of her as the embarrassing little Ducky no matter how much she's grown.

This swan of a resident got fired for one mistake but came back fighting to prove she belongs. Not only did April Kepner belong there, but it was her talent, her kindness, her strength that made her Chief Resident. This simply wasn't enough for Dr. Bailey or her other residents so she fought harder.

She endured the pressure but always ended up being a joke to the others. When she was fired yet again, your girl came back a little shaken. She doubted herself, but how could she not when everyone was against her.

Despite everyone telling her she couldn't, she did rise and no one saw her coming because she remained in the background. She went off to Jordan broken and came back a pretty risky trauma surgeon.

We've watched for years as she was handed promising stories that we never got to see fully develop because she was in the background. We never got to see her rise. We get the beginning and the end, but hardly ever the middle.

I thought we were finally going to have an amazing story arc in season 11 when she loses Samuel, but what did we really get? Two or three episodes of her coming to terms with the loss of her baby and then April's disappearance from the show while she's grieving off screen so that Dr. Amelia Shepherd can shine her first season on the show. Where is April's life-changing surgeries? What does April get? She's background music.

Now what?

It's season 14 and we finally get the story we've been waiting 9 years for! We get Dark April and her crisis of faith. A story arc all Christians can appreciate. Here's the chance for real character development in the foreground, but wait...

Before her story is even wrapped up, you announce that this season will be her last. So we're forced to realize that the only reason we're getting this story now is that you're writing her off.

No matter how you end it, it's not going to do her story justice. If you kill her off to end her crisis of faith story, you're not reaching the many Christians who watch the show. If you have her leaving Seattle and taking Harriet with her, you didn't know April. If you have her leaving Seattle and abandoning Harriet, you really didn't know April. So anyway you choose to end her story, you lost out on one great character.

You messed up.

Both April Kepner and Sarah Drew deserved better.

Cover Image Credit: YouTube

Amanda Holt

Amanda Holt Mar 25, 2018

At Grand Canyon University

Elliot Stabler, We Miss You

Not all heroes wear capes.

Holly Barnett

Holly Barnett Apr 24, 2018

164

views

In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. The victims of these vicious felonies are saved by two heroes who do not wear capes: Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson.

The King and Queen of New York, Detectives Benson and Stabler not only save the day but entertain me through weekends and procrastination. If you are a fan of the show you know Elliot Stabler leaves "Law and Order: SVU" after 12 wonderful seasons. It shall go down as one of the saddest days of the 21st century.

Elliot Stabler was not one for easy hearts. He was violent and angry but he cared about the people he loved. You couldn't help but love his many kids and wife at home even though you would never stop hoping that he and Olivia Benson would get together. One of the great things and something I miss most is how Olivia and Elliot worked so well together and their chemistry was bouncing more than Cardi B at Coachella. And although at times it may seem as if maybe there might be a chance you know deep down the greatest love was that of a partner.

I mean, come on. Look how cute. The banter, the sly eye contact, be still my beating heart.

Detective Stabler, I miss your violent outbursts. You were a hot-headed detective who sometimes didn't know your limits. That's why you were such a great character to watch. We never knew how far you would go to help a victim. You were interesting. You loved your job yet struggled with it. You cared about your co-workers yet you were selfish. You wanted to help the victims who had been hurt yet you would hurt others to help them.

You tell em' Stabler!

Can we all take a moment to appreciate a shirtless Elliot Stabler? Although the show is still going strong, you are missed, detective. How could we forget all the good and bad times together?

Cover Image Credit: NBC Universal

Holly Barnett

Holly Barnett Apr 24, 2018

At Tuscaloosa, AL

The Magic Of EDM Culture

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