Douglas McCollam suggests in the current CJR that "What newspapers really need above all else , is ownership that values journalism and understands that the work of gathering, writing, and publishing the news is an inherently inefficient business that is in a period of profound transition."
I don’t know if Craig’s List, Google, and blogging will eat their lunch, but at least one privately held alternative weekly journalistic endeavor, the Village Voice/New Times Media Incorporated Global Worldwide Alternative Weekly McDonalds Press Syndicate and Would-You-Like-Fries-With-That Unlimited is thriving in this brave new world of corporate journalism mergers. The combination that Gawker characterizes as "a 17-paper behemoth of back-page massage ads" is at its best this week in the St. Louis River Front Times article on a recent pole dancing contest at the Hustler Club. The prize was $500 and a trip to Cincinnati to compete for the National Pole Princess title.
The RFT feature is about 4000 words on the art, the market, the personal trials of pole dancers. It’s best summed up, I think, in the last few paragraphs:
"We want to be featured in strip clubs all over the country, taking the
place of porn stars," says Michelle. "Honestly, the porn stars, all
they have is that they’re porn stars. Most have been strippers at some
time in their lives, so they dance like strippers. They usually don’t
have a performance — it’s not artistic.
"A lot of feminists consider burlesque and striptease-dancing to be
degrading to women because we’re objectified, but I don’t see it that
way," she continues. "I love being a woman, and I feel I’m celebrating
the beauty of women. I can’t control how others see me, I can only
control how I see myself, and I love celebrating my womanhood, my
sexuality and my art."
Katrina sees herself as a role model.
"If you say you’re a pole dancer, people think you’re just some
stripper who gets on her back and splays her legs," she declares. "They
probably just expect two girls to hold onto a pole and make out. But
when we get up there and don’t do that — when we show that we really
are using our bodies to do interesting things — it helps people break
their stereotypes a little bit."
It’s nice to know that alternative weekly journalism is in good hands…. thanks New Times! Thanks Village Voice Media!
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Are there any male pole dancers who share the philosophy and art of showing their bodies doing interesting things?