I haven’t been an active member in Seattle’s rave community for many years, but I still feel profoundly effected by yesterday’s tragedy. The people killed were friends of friends, and a few years back it would have been me at that party. The victims were ravers, burners, freaks. Not the types often targeted by psychotics with sawed-off shot guns. These are folks who wear plastic jewelry, hug stuffed animals in public, and espouse “PLUR” (peace love unity respect). Not exactly the demographic prone to violent crime.

The only way in which raving is relevant to this nightmare is that ravers are known for their hyper-inclusivity. Hell, when I was a raver, I’d meet someone nice at a party and think nothing of spending the the rest of the weekend with them. It’s a community known for being accepting and loving and extremely friendly. Many of us these days are taught not to talk to strangers — ravers spit on that concept. Talking to strangers is the whole point! It may be the the only mistake these ravers made was inviting the wrong party-goer to their home.

I think many aging ravers remember the moment when they realized it wasn’t actually smart to be nice to everyone … you learn to avoid certain sketchies, and it’s a bitter pill to swallow. So much of the rave community is built around being accepting and tolerant. It’s a hard step to take when you have to say “I’m accepting and tolerant — but not of the tweakers who’ve been up for three days.” It breaks my heart to think that these slain kids learned that lesson the hardest possible way. The only crime these ravers committed, as far as I can tell, was being too open and kind to someone who ultimately didn’t deserve it. It’s tragic on so many levels.

I’m also fascinated by the rave community’s response to the media. Over on NWTekno.org, several journalists have posted messages asking to talk to people. Ravers are notoriously media-terrified, lashing out for perceived slights against the community by journalists everywhere. (Some of you may remember when I got slammed for an article I wrote for the Seattle Weekly a few years ago.) It’s sad to watch people turn down opportunities to represent the community they love. If you don’t like the media’s impression of ravers, go talk and represent the community yourself. It’s hard work, but it pays off.

As for the broadcast journalists and newspaper writers? They seem to be doing what they can to balance fair coverage with the fact that, well, it’s hard to ignore that many of the victims had come from a rave where they were dressed up like zombies. The salacious irony is rough to pass up. This is some of the better coverage I’ve seen. (Watch the video by clicking “Gunman Kills Six Before Taking Own Life” on that page.) This article is also interesting.

But meta-media aside, the scope of killings and the impact it’s having on Seattle is huge. Seven people dead on Capitol Hill (my old hood) on a Saturday morning. It’s a nice reminder that our hold on life is always tenuous.

PS: I’m finding The Stranger’s SLOG best for quick updates.