Since I started this blog, which I did mostly to write about my own adventures and challenges of being a beautiful plus size women on the carnival scene, I realized that this was not just about me. There are many other women out there who are just like me. They have let their voices and concerns be heard to me via email and other forums. As a result, many women, Plus and Proud and a few well endowed Slim and Sexy, who just happen to have big boobs, have contacted me, because in the past weeks as bands have one by one made their launches, the bra issue has come up repeatedly.
I also addressed the bra issue in the, “Ask the Band Leader “ section of Saucy's blog. (see here). http://www.trinidadcarnivaldiary.com/2008/08/question-and-answer-with-band-leader_27.html
As a result of this, I promised my Boobiful Sisters, that I would go on the hunt and find out which bands were willing to accommodate the "Blessed in Da Chest" women, hence on a emailing and calling frenzy I went.
I got immediate responses from every single band I have contacted, EXCEPT SPICE. (Even the completely sold out Tribe contacted me back to let me know that they DO indeed accommodate larger bra sizes and offer the option of a masquerader having her own bra decorated).
When Spice - the premier all female band - made their debut for this carnival season with absolutely beautiful costumes, I was completely "WOWED". I heard their launch was nice, that those ladies can lime with the best of them, and most importantly, their customer service was totally ON POINT. All of these accolades made me very happy to hear, because I am thinking. " WOW, these women are doing the DAM THING. GO SPICE!!!!!!"
As a result, I did not panic when I got no response to my bra related emails. These are women right? Our fellow sisters in the cause to show how women can WERK it, flaunt it, move ahead of the game, and squash stereotypes. They could not possibly ignoring me on purpose. I chalked it up to them being busy. For those of you who do read my blog, (whenever I decide to post, LOL), pretty much know my feelings on sisterhood, unity, and how we as women view each other and ourselves. ( If not, read below).
I began to lightly tease a member of Spice's committee all in good fun about how her band was "igging" me. As a result, this same young lady, who took my teasing in stride, but was still very concerned that my inquiries had not been answered, went on to give me the private email of the band leader, as I had been using the general email provided on the website. I forwarded an original copy of my email to the bad leader and to date... NO RESPONSE.
Yesterday evening, I decided to go online for some kicks with fellow carnival lovers, and was made aware of situation where Spice has FLAT OUT DENIED a young women to play in their band due to her large bra size, even though all of her friends are registered in the band. I heard, (but I was not there), that they even denied her the opportunity to provide her own bra for decoration.
I have already heard from two Spice Masqueraders who are VERY DISAPPOINTED, and are having second thoughts about supporting a band that supports this kind of discrimination by women against women. Before these young ladies consider “jumping ship”…Being the optimist that I am, I am still praying that this is one big misunderstanding, and that Spice will come public with some reasonable explanation. I will forward a copy of this to Spice committee, and give them a chance to have their say if they wish. I feel that every story has two sides. I refuse to let my hopes be totally dashed, that women who touted the power of women in making their own band would be flat out discriminatory towards women.
As I have said many times before, band leaders absolutely have the right to have who they want in their band, and that we, the Plus, Proud, and Well Endowed, DO have the right to take our money elsewhere.
I guess as a woman, this Spicy thing.."burned" a little bit more, because we expected a little more, a little better from the the women to rise above what has been the norm. Many women have expressed feeling that they TRULY believed that Spice was BY women, FOR women, ABOUT women. So was the "Woman" angle simply another marketing ploy, only for them to turn around and repeat the same ole behaviours we have seen in the past? Lets see if Spice really has the "kick", and the "fire" they tout, or are they just another " BLAND BAND".
If the young lady who was denied into Spice due to bra size happens to read this blog.. STAND TALL BABES. REAL WOMEN DO NOT DO DISCRIMINATION.
Awaiting Spice's Response
DISCRIMINATION IS NOT SEXY
Until next time....
VM
voluptuous.masquerader@gmail.com
2 comments:
Well said VM, as a card carrying member of de BBB (Bountyfully Breasted and Blessed) any attempt to discriminate against women of "exotic" sizes burns me. Thank goodness I found a band that accomodates the twins lol
For a band that is female led Spice is really disapointing me. I too rooted for Spice as a new band with lovely costumes, and would have considered them next year but as far as I concerned I rather stick with my TRIBE and stay away from too much Spicey food.
When I regsitered for Spice in the 2nd week of august, I received an email stating that 34C was "sold out"for Scotch Bonnet FL in the online store. I found this strange since I thought that spice was about catering for all women. One of the main reasons for me opting for spice is their corset option since my problem is not the boobs but the belly. At the time I wondered if they didn't want "bigger" women in the FL since I opted for the corset. I hope spice sorts this out soon because these are the sort of things that would turn away potential masqueraders
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