Stacy of Swish and Flick on Words
I've been thinking a lot lately about my voice. Not the sound of it, but the words I sing - the message I'm putting out there. I'm going to be making two points that may seem diametrically opposed to one another, or maybe not related to one another at all, but here I go... I've said a lot of things, inside and outside of Swish and Flick's lyrics, since we began making wizard rock in 2008-ish. Some of those things have not been very nice, and even though the majority of what I sing about is done with irreverent, bawdy, sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek, it does not excuse it. For throwing around words insensitively in my lyrics and in my interactions with people on-line, I am sorry. Once a fan wrote to me personally about the derogatory word I use in the song "If You Didn't Come to Party", regarding the way Pansy Parkinson looks in her "frilly pink dress". I wrote back, standing by my words, basically claiming that I was entitled to use the word because I'm an artist, and a non-heterosexual one at that. I soon realized how wrong I was, and have since stopped using the word when I perform live. I am a trans ally to my trans family and friends, and I support the civil and human rights of all trans people. I apologize for perpetuating the use of derogatory language. Next point: Not that anyone has ever asked me to censor myself or to apologize for using the word 'slut' in "SLY in Slytherin", I'm going to say right now that I am not sorry for using it. Recently I'd been nervous about using the word and about the implications it has. I had wondered if I was slut-shaming, or doing a disservice to women, or being anti-feminist. But after thinking about it, I know where those lyrics came from within me and I stand by my words. I am not slut-shaming with my sarcasm. It isn't sarcasm. It is truth. The persona of Astoria Greengrass that I've developed in my creative works, both musically and elsewhere, is unabashedly sexual. When she says that she puts the s-l-u-t in House of Slytherin, she's owning her sexuality. Her sexuality is not in Draco's hands, not in any boy's hands, but her OWN hands. Even in "Astoria Greengrass and the Pureblood Prince", when she's depicting some light BDSM-play with Draco, she is in control of herself because she establishes her consent. It is in my -personal- opinion that women should not have to be monogamous or exercise moderation in their sex lives if they choose not to (I also know that your opinion may differ for religious reasons, and I accept that.) We can dress the way we want, even if it presents a very sensual image, evocative of sexuality. In my opinion, there is nothing inherently wrong with promiscuity (though that word in and of itself is terribly judgmental) as long as you're being safe, respectful to other people and, most of all, being an advocate for your own emotional and physical well-being. So my two points: I have long since stopped and will continue to refrain from using derogatory language against trans people. I will never stop singing loudly and proudly about the Slut in House of Slytherin. I have been and always will be a woman who believes that other women have the right to express themselves sexually without having stones thrown at them. So I'm going to keep on wearing my tiny shorts with MALFOY emblazoned across the bum and singing about secret rendezvous with Draco or wanting to explore other facets of sexuality with Luna. Because it makes me feel good. Singing about Astoria's sexuality makes me feel good. Singing and dancing provocatively makes me feel good. And what is music, if it doesn't make you FEEL something? I don't sing about social justice. It doesn't mean I don't support it. My voice in wizard rock may be not what's typical, but it is still valid. Because the sad truth is that girls and women are being taught to suppress their sexuality - that their sexual expression is wrong - that men are entitled to their own sexuality but women are not - that men are entitled to be the beneficiaries of women's sexuality - that women are morally corrupt when they are free with their sexuality. So I'm here to remind everybody, regardless of gender, that you are beautiful, you are inherently good, you are entitled to feel pleasure, and you are free to share that pleasure with whomever you mutually consent to do that, without the judgment of others. I proudly put the SLUT in House of Slytherin. See you soon, you gorgeous wizards and witches and, in the words of Harry and the Potters, non-binary magical people.
