Note: The following has been taken from Ember Swift's website, located at http://www.emberswift.com/. It was copied here instead of simply linked, because there was no way to link specific to this article.

Michigan Statement #2 (June 3rd, 2004 - w/ additions & edits June 7th, 2004):

I have spent the past six weeks in deep conversations, debates, dialogues and sometimes heated arguments with many friends and colleagues, fans and critics. The topic of Michigan and the festival's womyn-born-womyn policy is one that cannot be summed up in a simple "chat." Neither can the reasoning behind the decision to play this festival be summed up in a simple statement (as I had mistakenly thought when I posted my first statement in April.)

First of all, I have learned so much in the past six weeks. Thank you for challenging, educating and critiquing my words. Thank you for contributing to my growth.

One of the most profound things that I was reminded of in this dialogue is the nature of oppression and the importance of giving the voice of the oppressed power. I have been insisting that "activism from the inside" is a viable alternative to boycotting. In this insistence, I had forgotten my privilege. Not one transwoman agreed with my statement; not one transwoman feels this sort of activism to be effective. How did I respond to that? I stopped insisting. I had to look carefully at my various reasons for wanting to do this festival and the impact that this decision has on my person, my career and my community.

On a personal level, I am curious about the festival

I recognize my anatomical privilege to attend. I am curious about the largest women's festival in North America, if not the world -- many components of which seem very much in line with my politics (this policy definitely NOT being one of them, but that should not discredit the good work that is happening within the gates.)

I also mentioned in my previous statement my intense respect for the history of this festival and the incredible feminist groundwork for which this festival is responsible. I am not "anti-festival." I hope for its livlihood for generations to come. I am not interested in seeing such a beautiful event perish. I only hope to see peace be sought after and attained in relation to this conflict regarding trans inclusion and I hope to be part of this peace movement. I truly believe that both trans inclusion & the sustainability of the festival are simultaneously possible. I also believe that they are possible without harming the sanctity of womon space. [The above paragraph added June 8th, 2004].

I have friends and fellow activists who earnestly attend every year and tell me that I have to see the festival from both perspectives: from within and from without. I know trans allies and trans activists who also attend every year and are committed to working for trans awareness and eventual inclusion at this event. They insist that activism from the inside does work. Of course, they are not trans women and they are not still being excluded. This must be noted.

Still, I also have friends who tell me that they had no awareness of trans issues until they attended the festival and they're so grateful to the energy and the attendees of the festival for opening their eyes to trans issues. This can't be discredited - it's such a great thing!

So, what is it about this festival that keeps people going back and quietly doing their trans activism from within the gates, despite the voice of the oppressed exclaiming that it is not effective? I want to see for myself. Selfishly, I'm curious.

I have been forced to study my own hypocrisies as a person and an artist.

This has been very powerful. As an activist, I am constantly dealing with dilemmas about what I'm doing in this industry -- one that is so often in bed with corporations, capitalism and corruption.

Last summer, we played a PRIDE event in the US that was sponsored by Coca-Cola. I didn't realize it was sponsored by Coca-Cola until I arrived, but I most definitely oppose this company and its legacy around the world. I struggled with the idea of standing on a stage that was fully draped in its red & white logo just as I have struggled with standing on stage at Michigan without my trans sisters in attendance. Still, while standing on that stage last summer, I had the power of a microphone, of independent music and a political platform which enabled me to voice these views -- boldly and without fear.

I intend to do so this summer, as well, at MWMF. I will make a statement and it will be definitive -- I oppose the policy. Absolutely. [Note: I am not the type of person to dispense anger on an audience. I will simply speak from my heart.]

In other circumstances, I have played festivals whose environmental policies were non-existent. I have stood on those stages encouraging people to take responsibility for their garbage, to fill out response cards and to tell the festival to get their act together, to respect the earth, etc. Some of these festivals have been women's festivals. Loving the earth, in my opinion, is as important as loving and including transwomen... and, as we know, the earth boycotts in other ways.

[Note: In the end, I know that all analogies fall short somehow. This is a viewpoint in process. Furthermore, do not read the above and assume that I am of the viewpoint that all who attend this festival are "transphobic" and thus hypocritical. As I mentioned, many trans activists and allies in my life attend this festival.] - [Note added June 7th, 2004]

Can I boycott every event that isn't politically in line with my worldview? I guess I could. I would then have to stop touring because my vehicle is powered by fossil fuels (the next vehicle will be veggie oil, but funds don't allow at the moment!) I would also have to stop typing on this computer because I am using a program owned by the evil Microsoft (the next computer will be a Mac, but funds don't allow at the moment!) I would also have to stop flying in Boeing aircrafts, the US company responsible to dropping bombs on innocent people. The list goes on. We do what we have to do to get our message out there and sometimes there are contradictions in this process.

Vera Stoke, a writer for The Activist Magazine, wrote the following words and I have been moved by these words on many occasions -- especially occasions like these when I feel trapped by the contradictions of a decision:

“It would be unrealistic to hold ourselves to a standard that is impossible to meet. Our lives cannot always correspond to every political and social principle we espouse. In some cases, it’s simply too difficult. In other cases, it’s impossible. What each of us can do, though, is take an inventory of our thinking, our habits, our behaviours and our practices, and then get as many of them as possible in line with what we know is right.

This kind of personal transformation won’t happen all at once. However, we can start by staying alert for signs of arrogance, power-grabbing and insensitivity and monitor ourselves [for hypocrisy]...

If we open our minds to constructive criticism, we can make meaningful changes. When we direct our activism inward as well as outward, then we can feel assured that we really are practicing what we preach.”

VERA STOKE, Toronto The Activist Magazine, October / November / December 2002 / Canada

On a practical level, it would be unrealistic and dishonest not to acknowledge the "increased exposure" that comes from performing at this festival.

While it is not a high-paying endeavor, it is a high-exposure event. As a Canadian artist who travels more than 60% of the time in the US and has done so for the past 6 years, it is only just this year that have we been invited to perform at this event. Many Canadian artists are never invited! The gratifying feeling of finally being included, professionally, is an unsettling emotion! Of course I know that this inclusion is in stark contrast to the exclusion felt by trans women. I understand that. This statement is acknowledging my contractions -- I am living them and examining their meaning.

What I have come to understand about myself at this moment is that I do very much want my music to reach as many ears as possible. Although I am very vocal about my disdain for the mainstream and my interest in organic career development on an independent level, I don't feel it is contradictory to want the messages in my music to reach people and to perhaps have an effect on how people think about world issues. One of those issues particularly relevant in the women's community is that of trans inclusion. I still believe that my ability to be an activist is more efficient and powerful ON STAGE as opposed to OFF STAGE. Music is my vehicle for activism. I'm not an orator or a visual artist or a lobbyist or a political candidate. I'm a musician that combines music and activism.

Political lobbyists infiltrate the government. There's a bit of that going on among socially-aware, trans allies who are also performers at this event. (Last year at MWMF, I heard that my fellow Torontonian performer, Elvira Kurt, was a fine example.)

Greater exposure = more ears. More ears = more awareness. More awareness = more chance at change.

In response to some of your suggestions about how to make inside activism effective:

I appreciate the flood of suggestions. Some of these suggestions just aren't possible, logistically, and some just don't suit my personality. I have to do what feels right in my heart.

The first thing that feels right to me is to play a show with powerful messages -- like usual. The songs I hope to perform at the festival range in topics from political accountability, awareness & conscience, personal honesty, food politics, how racism and capitalism intersect, and the hope for peace in the Middle East. All of these topics need to be addressed and I feel that reducing the multiple messages of my performance down to a single message (trans inclusion) is akin to asking me to play my guitar with only one string while asking Lyndell to play her violin without her fingers. It's incomplete and it doesn't represent who we are as musicians and performers. As you know, I do intend to make a statement about the WBW policy that speaks from my heart and my experience. This statement, however, will not be in lieu of a musical performance.

I am also going to make a donation to trans organization(s) & activism from some of my CD sale income, particularly from the units that feature the incredible talents of the transwomen who are also musicians in my life. (I have not made a firm decision about the exact destination of my donation.) This donation will be post-festival, but hopefully will go towards helping the trans movement stay strong for the future.

Impact on my community:

I understand that some of you may never forgive my decision to perform at this festival. I hope you can hear my hope for change and my honest pursuit of this change. I attempt, at all times, in my own way and with my own agency as an activist, to have my words and my person and my life exemplify my beliefs. While you may feel this decision contradicts that statement, I will be myself within those gates. I will be vocal and respectful.

If you choose to boycott my performances in the future, I hope you will be mindful of these words and at least have some greater insight into who I am as a person, an activist and a performer.

All in all, I feel lucky to have encountered such rich perspectives on this issue. I am learning. Thank you again. The learning will continue in August, 2004.

-es