Sydni Deveraux writes a fabulous column called "Stripper Talk" that I've been consuming voraciously since happening across it on 21st C. Burlesque's site. While wading through the archives on Sydni's personal site I came across this post.
First, I need to commend Sydni for her grace and patience. I would not have had the same had I been tasked with answering the horrifying, racist, and downright trollish question sent in. Second, while I at first thought the question must be a prank it turns out that it was indeed not. "Miss Lorrie Ann" the writer popped in down thread to respond, comment further, and continue to try to pour her thoughts on racist, classicist, tripe as "art" into the burlesque community.
The letter and response and comment threads are must reads for anyone involved in the community - especially if you are someone who does not fully understand the damage or implications that cultural appropriation has for other performers, our audiences, and the community at large.
