Digital Kitchen

danielholter:

dachesterfrench:

I received the following email from Thomas this morning and thought that I’d post my response publicly since I understand that some controversy has been swirling around the free concert we’re doing today. As I say in my reply, I think that living in a community requires putting differences aside to come together around common goals. I understand that certain radio stations and other community institutions have pulled-out of supporting this show out of fear that they would face public backlash. I understand the occasional necessity of saving one’s own ass, but Milwaukee suffers right now from an exceptional lack of leadership when it comes to tackling some very challenging problems. Teen pregnancy and STD’s are among the most serious of them. -D.A.

On Thu, Aug 26, 2010 at 11:02 AM, Thomas wrote:

While you guys are partying like a “Ciroc” star at today’s event, I thought it might be sweet if you do a shout-out to the half of all black Americans who’ve been murdered as a result of the abortion agenda you are promoting. Fame is pretty sweet so long as you can continue to whistle past these ever-expanding graveyards, huh?

My Response:

Hi Thomas,

The event we’re performing at today is specifically aimed at promoting Planned Parenthood’s new preventive health programs. The most notable of these, in my mind, is their condom and birth-control pill delivery program, which will allow girls in Milwaukee to subscribe to the delivery of these important prophylactics. Since our city faces among the highest teen pregnancy and STD rates in the country, I think it is imperative that awareness be raised around the ways that girls and guys in the city can easily access preventive measures. Though a small minority of Planned Parenthood’s services are related to abortions, we are not, as a band, taking a stand on that age-old debate one way or the other.

I hope that those who oppose abortion can look at today’s event as one promoting abortion’s alternatives. This is not a pro-choice rally, but a party for the community that aims to raise awareness of the ways by which young people can live more safely. I can only speak for our portion of the event, but I would like folks of all ideological stripes to feel welcome and included at this event since I believe that whatever one’s ideological commitments, there is lots of common-ground to be shared when it comes to issues like condom distribution and birth control pills. In other words, I think we can happily agree to disagree about abortion while still working together to remedy the twin crises of disease and teen pregnancy in our city.
D.A.

Matt & I are def attending.

I’ll be shocked if I don’t see some faces I recognize from my teenage years spent protesting such events.

I will be standing proudly with you guys today, D.A., and am looking forward to your CF set, Proph, and a show of support alongside good people.

 I was expecting to attend but i have studio “duties” i need to carry out. what sucks is that its right in the neighborhood i grew up in and still frequent. i think its great for planned parenthood to be doing this, knowing that it def helpped me out when i was younger lol. Good luck DA and make Dave take that wooden jesus piece off before show time LOL. Maybe we can meet some other time Matt and Dan. Im DEF dissapointed i cant go.