Letters
to the Editor
Editor's Response
October, 2003
Original
Letter from Zeyna-
10-20-03 re: Reflections on North Beach by Satrinya Part
1, Part 2, Part
3
A friend of mine mailed
me a copy on your (Reflections on North Beach) and I have to tell you
it angered me more then I have been in years. It was not enlightening
or informative, it was in fact offensive. If Satrinya
hasn't something nice to say she should close her big flapping mouth.
If you want to write about dancing in a way that is constructive or just
share a funny story about stage mishaps, that is great but half or whole
truths about someone's dirty laundry is malicious and UN. called-for AND
certainly doesn't belong on a web site. I have been a personal friend
of Aida's for some 25 years or so, I haven't seen her
in almost 20 but we still do talk, we worked together when I was dancing
in Detroit. How about that she was and is a very loyal friend!!!!!!!!!!
To ANYONE deserving of her friendship. (She groveled!!!) I would love
to crunch up that article and shove it up Satrinyas ass. What ever her
and Jamilas friendship was, that was between them. What
about her TOTAL commitment to the art form and her dedication? Not to
mention her enormous talent. Even the fact that you would print such garbage
enrages me and may I NEVER see the name gilded serpent again. It is a
gossip column that true artists should have nothing to do with, good luck
to your vindictive bellyettes that will never in there wildest dreams
touch Aida's class.
The real "Zeyna"
Initial
response to Zeyna
10-20-03
whoa! I better go back and read that one again! The policy has been to
let people tell their stories in their own words and others can tell the
same in theirs even if they conflict. But I better go see what you are
talking about and confer with the advisors. That particular piece is rather
old. Hmmm, maybe that's why Aida hasn't written for us after much begging.
I'll get back to you after I am more aware of what you speak. Thanks for
caring enough to write at all!
Lynette
Zeyna
writes again
10-21-03
Well! That's impressive! You are top of your site and care enough to
reply, at least you have gained some of my respect back for professionalism.
Aida did not deserve her relationship with Jamela
aired to the public, it had nothing to do with her great work as a true
professional, she suffered badly with Jamela and loved her daughter
Suhala or what ever the hell the kids name was in which
she got screwed by both of them (big thanks for all her love and devotion)
Let dead dogs lie. Friggin bellyette wannabees make me sick, I still
want to shove that article up Satrinyas ass. I started
dancing in NY in 1964 and worked all over this country and never seen
a bunch of more cut throat dancers then I did as when I was in the San
Francisco area, that's why I left besides they work for nothing out
there. This one will work cheaper then that one till they are reduced
to scrounging for tips and killed the business. This is the FIRST time
I have ever responded to anything like this but couldn't see anything
negative written about a good friend who could out dance me any day
of the week! Correct it by at least an apology to her and don't let
any dancer trash another! Zeyna
Response
to Zeyna
The real "Zeyna"
I have no idea who you are, but you have raised issues that have been
addressed repeatedly in not just our community but most. One person's
truth is another's gossip. But there are lessons to be learned also!
I appreciate your nobel loyalty to your friend, but if we don't talk
about these issues, they are more likely to be repeated. I'm sorry if
you took umbrage with Satrinya's memories, but they
are hers, and I will not invalidate or apologize for them. Aida
can write about her experiences if she cares to. We will publish them.
If you will take the time to read some of the other stories presented
in the North Beach Memories you will find that some will contradict
each other. But this is the mode we have chosen to record this history.
It is not up to us to censor or decide who is telling the truth.
It is up to the readers to decide what they want to believe. Most will
probably not care what the actual facts were but care more about avoiding
similar problems. Those who "wins the war" or yell the loudest
with PR, or whatever, often gets their story recorded as history. We
want to give other voices a chance to be recorded.
You, too, seem to have some burning issues. Obviously, you have learned
some hard lessons. Why not share them? "Letting sleeping dogs lie"
may make things appear to be tranquil, but it's not very considerate
of the performers that follow! I have been trying for a long time to
find someone like YOU to tell us what happened! I came in on the tail
end of this era and this part of the magazine developed because many
of us wanted to know! How was the scene different in New York? What
was it like in Detroit? Detroit, I am really curious about! The biggest
population of Arabs in the United States, right? How did it get to be
that these club owners could get away with paying us dancers so little?
What do the musicians get paid? Is it because there are so many dancers
in this area? Why would an area like San Francisco, that is suppose
to be known for peace, love, and tolerance be so back-biting?
I hope that Aida will get over her pain enough someday to actually let
us know what happened from her angle. Her name is in many of the stories
and it is a rather glaring hole that her story in not there! I remember
driving down from the mountains and taking one workshop from her and
was very impressed with her musical background and knowledge. Then she
disappeared! I really hope both of you will write and dare to be honest!
I bet you have some great photos too!
Thanks for writing,
Lynette
editor@gildedserpent.com
Web Magazine for Middle Eastern Music & Dance
www.gildedserpent.com
415-455-8455
PO Box 1928
San Anselmo, CA 94979
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