I’m not normally one to twitter much, or to blog ever.
But the wave of negative attention that the Evelyn Evelyn project* has recently invited has got me troubled enough… that I’ve decided to start a blog.
So, I figure this goes without saying – but I want to say it here very clearly all the same – offending or belittling disabled people or people who have a history of sexual abuse could not be farther from my intention.
I mean, I generally don’t like to offend and belittle ANYONE, but if there is anybody that I especially don’t want to alienate with this project, it is the people who might already feel marginalized and dismissed in our society. Especially when that type of alienation is a major recurring theme throughout the whole Evelyn Evelyn record.
After thinking about this a lot, I accept that aspects of this project might be seen as insensitive. To be honest, I never really thought that this could be construed as making fun of people with disabilities. I had some fear that the few conjoined twins living in the world might find the project offensive. But I hoped this wouldn’t be the case, as I have nothing but respect for the remarkable people who have this very rare condition. I’ve spent a lot of time absorbing writings by and about historical conjoined twins, especially those who had lives in show business (such as Daisy and Violet Hilton, Millie and Christine McCoy, and Chang and Eng Bunker.)
I am still hopeful that the original spirit of this project can burn through all of this.
Our intention was to capture people’s imaginations, to create some fun new music, and to twist people’s brains a bit… not to stir up a storm, or disrespect anybody.
I’ve spent the past 36 hours doing almost nothing but thinking about this. I’ve been trying to follow everything that has been posted on the topic, and communicating with various people involved. I am very grateful to everyone inside and outside of the project for their thoughtful feedback, and I want to especially thank Neil Gaiman for his patience and advice and Annaham for her very well articulated criticism.
I’m very willing to look at ways we can change the way we promote and talk about this. I still think the album and the stage show stand on there own, and hope that the way people will experience them hasn’t been poisoned.
As to rumors that Amanda and I are, in fact, the twins Evelyn and Evelyn, I’m not able to comment on that just yet – but I will point out that on the recordings that have been released so far, one of the twins has a conspicuously deep voice for a 24 year old girl. And my beard disappeared suspiciously near the time that the twins’ press photos were taken…
I’ll finish this by saying that while it does ake me pretty sad to see so many people so upset about something I’m involved in, I am truly glad to see that it has inspired a lot of good, smart, heartful discussion.
Ok. That’s enough blogging.
Hopefully this won’t become a habit. I hear it is addictive.
Respectfully,
-Jason Webley, the (relatively) silent half, of Evelyn Evelyn.
ps. I know that Amanda is working on her own follow up to her last blog on the subject. She is far away in Australia and communication hasn’t been easy, but I am sure you will be able to hear from her soon!
* for those who don’t know, Amanda Palmer and I have been working for the past three years to “produce” a record by the conjoined twin sisters “Evelyn Evelyn”. The record is to finally be released at the end of next month, and is being accompanied by a world tour with Amanda and myself supporting the “twins.”