Plur Elise
PLUR’s ethos of racial inclusion
The philosophy behind PLUR is an inspiring utopian vision that offers participants a place of cultural belonging and acceptance. This can be seen at Insomniac Events’ EDM festivals in Southern California, where their social media accounts refer to PLUR and attendees are encouraged to wear kandies at their events. Furthermore, these gatherings often incorporate magical or utopian themes related to PLUR (Rotella 2014; Sachs 2014).
Kandi ravers and frat bros are seen as representing authenticity and belonging, representing different forms of middle class whiteness. They’re seen as cool and original while other members in the scene display behaviors which undermine PLUR, such as overt intoxication or squatting/sitting instead of dancing.
Asian Americans in the rave scene have seen a marked surge in participation. This surge is also accompanied by an increasing interest and identification with PLUR, providing us with an unique opportunity to examine how Asian American participants negotiate their subjectivities within this environment.
My interviews with Asian American youth who participate in the EDM festival scene explored their negotiation of racial inclusion within a context of different forms of middle-class whiteness. Though they didn’t explicitly define this negotiation, they could draw on embodied ethos – the tradition of using everyday actions and experiences to understand ethos formation among disenfranchised groups such as Black women.
When interpreting ethos, scholars must take into account the interconnections of race, class, gender and ethnicity – often difficult to differentiate from one another due to how these factors shape each other and can operate simultaneously. Furthermore, these influences each other’s interpretations of ethos as well as their performance within it.
My interviews with Asian American young people who participated in the EDM festival scene revealed a negotiation of racial inclusion marked by an ethos of PLUR. This spirit was linked to their search for belonging and acceptance, shaping their identity construction process. Furthermore, this ethos was a defining feature of rave culture which they saw as a reincarnation of 1960s gay black scene; providing spaces where those who felt socially marginalized could find acceptance and belonging.
PLUR’s subcultural capital
PLUR is both an acronym (and somewhat of a mouthful) and the name of a subculture that emerged within the rave scene. Originally, raves had an ethos that promoted liberalism and freedom while emphasizing community and respect for one another. This spirit was further strengthened through various features that made raves truly unique experiences for participants.
At raver music events, dance moves never before seen were among the highlights. Compared to past dancing styles, raver dances were more intricate and involved grooving along to electronic music for extended periods of time.
Additionally, dances were performed collectively rather than individually to the rhythm of the music. This type of dancing was particularly remarkable for its capacity to bring together raver groups – an idea still prevalent within EDM festival scenes today.
Due to these characteristics, the rave scene was often seen as a refuge for social outcasts to find acceptance and belonging. This concept has been modernized by organizations like Insomniac, who provide events with promises of cultural belonging and acceptance to all attendees.
Insomniac’s latest projects, such as Electric Daisy Carnival and Wonderland, represent an evolution in the rave scene through the incorporation of cultural elements like PLUR. This combination of technological advancements, subcultural capital and a vibrant ethos of racial inclusion marks an important new chapter in the EDM festival scene and raises important questions about identity markers and their significance.
PLUR’s control of authenticity
Since the mid 1990s, PLUR (Peace Love Unity Respect) has been a rallying cry of sorts within the rave scene. You may often hear it on flyers and club merchandise advertising underground outdoor raves.
PLUR is a term commonly used to describe certain elements of rave culture, such as how people should act. It encapsulates an entire philosophy of life and how individuals should treat others within the scene.
Frankie Bones, a New York DJ, created the original concept of PLUR in 1990. Initially called PLUM (Peace Love Unity Movement), after an altercation at a warehouse rave, Bones added “Respect” to make up four letters in the acronym.
After that, PLUR quickly spread throughout the rave scene. It has now become a way of life for many in this community and is often heard during festivals or raves.
Ravers often express PLUR in order to spread good energy and make other people feel good about themselves. It’s a way for everyone to have an enjoyable time without feeling uncomfortable, as well as a way for ravers to show that they care about each other.
Meeting other ravers is an amazing opportunity to network, as well as show your support for those in the scene. Another way to show PLUR is by exchanging kandi bracelets – handmade bracelets made of round pony beads with kind or funny messages written on them.
These bracelets are an affordable but meaningful memento that will help you remember the PLUR values for years to come. Additionally, they create a more memorable experience at raves by encouraging you to give back by paying it forward with other revelers.
PLUR is an inspiring motto to live by, and it should be celebrated throughout all aspects of rave culture. Whether someone needs help getting their head straight after taking drugs at their first rave or you just want to show your support for a friend going through difficult times, PLUR is something important for all ravers and the community at large.
PLUR’s control of belonging
PLUR is an acronym often used within rave culture that stands for a set of principles or credo that many members are expected to adhere to. It serves as a behavioral guide that helps people behave socially and culturally acceptable at dance clubs and festivals around the world.
In 1990, New York DJ Frankie Bones founded what would later become known as the Peace Love Unity Movement (PLUM). At a warehouse rave he stopped to emphasize respect and three years later added “R” to this acronym that has come to symbolize rave culture itself: Respect.
As such, PLUR has become more than an acronym to many ravers; it is a way of life. It emphasizes the idea that anyone can become friends with anyone if they are willing to engage and treat others with kindness and respect.
One common way to demonstrate PLUR is to shake hands with people at dance clubs or festivals and exchange “kandi,” handmade bracelets made of pony beads with kind messages like “hooray” or “sending you vibes”. While these inexpensive mementos may create lasting memories, they also encourage others to pass on their values to those they meet.
In the rave scene, PLUR is often used as a sign of goodwill towards strangers – especially when someone needs assistance with drug tests or can’t afford the ticket for an event. It is also commonly said by ravers to express their support for friends or loved ones.
Older raver may take pride in PLUR, as it encourages them to care about and understand their fellow clubbers in order to build a community where everyone feels secure.
The most essential element of PLUR is its overall philosophy, which should be taken into account when judging any individual’s worthiness in the rave scene. A rave culture that doesn’t uphold PLUR can lead to the breakdown of any sense of belonging, whether through non-adherence or removal from its community.
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