Claims Vs Realities
Pole, As a Form, Deserves More Contrasts & Juxtapositions of The Claims People Make vs The Realities
Is Pole That Deep?
“I know this sentiment gets a lot of hate, but I just want to enjoy the thing without taking a 400-level history class or be accused of cultural appropriation.” — a reddit posted in response to a invitation to share perspectives …You can read the original posted hyperlinked here:
Now, Here’s Your Chance To Bail:
If you read the quote above — about just wanting to enjoy pole — and you agree; You can stop reading now. Because this space ain’t for you, full stop. It won’t be inclusive or politically correct. You may even find some things offensive. Spare yourself.
This Is 400 Degreez (of Pole)
During the millennial entrepreneurial boom a few years ago, there was a meme floating around using the chorus of a song from Juvenile’s ‘400 Degreez’ album entitled “Ha” as an affirmation.
Maybe you’ve seen this list of affirmation or another of its graphic iterations:
The funny thing about when this graphic of the chorus was floating around as an affirmations meme, is that the song is anything but a self-empowerment anthem.
It’s actually a reflective exposure. “Ha” being the repeated question to see if you’ll actually be real with yourself.
If you actually listen to the song you’ll hear, although the hook seems to be affirming, it is actually a satirical song that is seemingly going back and forth from mocking this person who thinks they’re big shit but in reality they’re not. It juxtaposes how someone can blissfully “game” themselves by doing all the “things” and live separate from the discernible truth witnessed by those that are wised-up on game. Take a listen to the song:
Pole, As a Form, Deserves More Contrasts & Juxtapositions of The Claims People Make vs The Realities
Pole, this once taboo form—as a whole—has entered its industrialization phase. The pandemic blew it wide open in terms of its ability to be capitalized on in various ways, by people from a diverse cast of backgrounds.
Subscribers to this Substack will get a peep into my window as I freak with the claims and realities of pole in various ways. I am a south Louisiana raised Black woman, Jesus Freak, a student, a teacher, a self-employed laborer, and an artist (to name a few of the ways my affairs will show up).
There will be controversy, tough questions, complex contradictions, call-outs, tradition/history, musings and invitations — to consider and to more importantly practice pole differently.
Your monetary contribution supports being able to research, collect, remember and present to you in different mediums with integrity. If you can’t pay to play — that’s cool.
As a paying supporter you’ll be able to:
Comment on posts, when invited to share your perspective
Attend juke sessions ( I’ll occasionally invite yall to come dance — ya know put some of the things into practice)
Ask questions & get a response. Maybe you want me to address something in particular , I’ll do my best if it makes sense.
Depending on how much this is supported, I’ll share things for free along the way because of the generosity of others. If others aren’t generous then there’s nothing to share.
Why Though Ashley?
I’m an artist and I believe it is apart of my duty as an artist to impact you by “showing you the things you cannot see” — word to James Baldin ( an artist apart of my artistic ancestral pantheon).