From: Carnell Louis Pipkin
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2000 8:44 PM
To: dance@ssqq.com
Subject: What's your problem?

Rick,

    I can't believe that after 3 years you are still keeping this nonsense alive.  Normally, I would simply ignore such knuckle-headed smear tactics.  But, since my name is being lam-blasted all over the place, I have no other recourse, but to defend myself.  Is this all you have to do, but to fester in your own insecurities and beliefs that WE (HSDS) ARE OUT TO GET YOU?  Man, you are a trip!  However, I personally would like to say that you are excellent at completely misrepresenting the truth in order to put yourself in a good light.  But, I can't remain silent on these BALD-FACED LIES any further.  Let me address a few of those lies that I take particular offense to.  Your statements are in red and italicized!

1)  In the beginning, SSQQ was supportive of the formation of HSDS. Actually we were quite supportive until we discovered its birth was intended to be at our expense. 
(Click Here to see what Carnell is referring to)

Quite to the contrary.  From our organization's inception, Judy has felt needlessly threatened by the existence of The Houston Swing Dance Society.  It was not our intention to "compete" with your dance studio or any other dance studio for that matter.  Our only desire was to provide an additional avenue that would reach out to the community and assist in making Houston one of the premiere places for swing dancing.  (And might I say with much pride, that thanks to the hard work and dedication that the members of the Houston Swing Dance Society have unselfishly given, through their concerted efforts, Houston is now known around the world as one of THE places to swing dance and that we throw the best parties around!  Check out the Yehoodi website for yourself if you don't believe me.)  We had NO desire to teach the dance.  But, Judy's childish insecurities would not allow her to accept that simple fact.  To quote Ms. Archer, she let it be known to the members of her dance team that she "would not let anyone else take the credit for bringing the Lindy Hop to Houston!"  How ludicrous and arrogant for anyone other then the likes of Mr. Frankie Manning or Ms. Norma Miller to assume that they are single-handedly responsible for bringing a dance that is over 80 years old to a major metropolitan area.  And now YOU state that she is taking claim for bringing Salsa to the forefront!  My!  Oh!  My!  How old is Judy?  Will she be taking credit for Houston's interest in Zydeco as well?

2)  Over the course of 1997 Rowena took it upon herself to persuade all of Judy's Swing team to join HSDS ("all" that is except for Maureen Brunetti who resisted Rowena's pleadings to leave, bless her heart).
(Click Here to see what Carnell is referring to)

In no way shape, form or fashion did Rowena Young "persuade" anyone to join HSDS.  This was a decision that was made individually by mature adults that shared a common interest in the Lindy Hop.  Nor was anyone coerced into leaving SSQQ.  The members of Judy's dance team could simply not understand what the problem was. (And for the record, we NEVER begged Maureen to be a part of HSDS and we have no plans of doing so to this day.  As a matter of fact, while HSDS was in its formative stage, Ms. Brunetti was unable to dance due to a leg injury and completely out of the picture.  We did not know who she was at that time and never sought her out.  She was not and has not been asked to be part of HSDS.)  We never intended to leave SSQQ, initially.  But, we were compelled to do so by Judy Archer's unreasonable DEMANDS.  How dare she have the audacity to even think to try to tell grown men and women what they can and can not do.  We were not to be treated as little children and had no intentions of letting Judy think that we could be treated in that manner.  Instead of attempting to smear Rowena with your vicious lies and malicious falsehoods, why not explain to your "loyal" students why Ms. Archer FIRED the MUGS and Skirts and then changed the locks on the studio doors?  That would be an interesting tale to tell. (By the way, they came running to HSDS and volunteered all the nasty little details.  So watch what you say.  I know the REAL DEAL!)

3)  Carnell was told it was against studio policy to teach for another organization while he was a member of our staff and he "assured us" he wouldn't do that. Despite our concerns that he was teaching behind our backs, Carnell continued to service both camps.
(Click Here to see what Carnell is referring to)

Under no circumstance was I teaching behind your backs.  You were well aware that I was assisting with teaching aspect of our club.  When you and your dear sweet wife (I trust you can recognize the sarcasm!) refused to work along with us, we had no other recourse but to provide dance instruction for our members.  And furthermore, I didn't begin teaching for HSDS until I resigned from SSQQ.  To set the record straight, both organizations had dance instruction on Sunday nights.  And there is no way on God's green earth that I can be in two places at once.  Hence, I resigned from SSQQ.  Your attempt to make me seem unethical is ludicrous at best.  Why would someone without ethics quit a paying position in order to work free of charge for a non-profit organization?  I have never received any compensation for the hundreds of hours that I have volunteered to teaching for the Houston Swing Dance Society.  The only source of income that I have ever received from teaching is from the many national and statewide workshops that my dance partner, Tena Morales, and I have been invited to and accepted.  HSDS does not pay me a dime!

4)  I can only say that Judy took Carnell under her wing and spent many hours sharing with him the knowledge she had worked hard to obtain on her own. ... To say she trusted him is an understatement and to say she was hurt when he left is putting it mildly.
(Click Here to see what Carnell is referring to)

Once again, let me set the record straight.  I do appreciate wholeheartedly that your organization was available as I was searching to find that sort of swing that I remembered seeing own television as a little boy.  And I do appreciate the fact that Judy recognized my talent for the dance.  However, I will not let her take any credit for what I have achieved.  Nor will I allow you to imply such.  The dancing skill that I have and that has been recognized by numerous top professional dancers around the world was molded and shaped by my late aunt, Mrs. Louella Mouton.  My late aunt was the one that introduced me to 6-count swing and taught me what it was to "dance to the music."   She was the one that showed me how to become a part of the music and put wings on my feet.  Everything that I have accomplished to date is due primarily to her and no one else.  It was my late aunt who laid the foundation that would later prove to be my greatest asset.  However, I joined your dance studio after much hesitation, because I doubted seriously that your anyone on your staff could show me anything that I didn't already know. (And I was correct on that assumption, by the way!)  Had it not been for Judy showing the "Can't Top the Lindy Hop" video, I would have left your studio feeling that I had wasted my time and money.  None of your Jitterbug classes presented anything new or challenging to me.  But, I do owe Judy a debt of gratitude for having a great video collection.  That one clip of the "Jivin' Lindy Hoppers" changed my whole attitude.  From that one incident and my association with Judy, the Houston Swing Dance Society was formed and thanks to the efforts of the HSDS Board of Directors, we were the first and only ones to bring Mr. Frankie Manning to Houston and to Texas.  And it was through that liaison with Mr. Manning that I finally learned the dance that I recalled seeing as a young boy on the Ed Sullivan show.

5)  It was this series of events that led us to conclude that the founders of HSDS had no desire to work with us, but rather preferred to take advantage of us. I have little doubt their rebuttal would be they were simply being aggressive and broke no laws. I would agree this is correct.
(Click Here to see what Carnell is referring to)

Man!  This just makes me sick.  Rick, you and Judy both know damn well that we have done everything possible to work with the two of you.  We have promoted your events and even suggested that people go to your studio.  We did NOT want to get into the teaching business.  But, your constant and continual refusal to hear anything we had to say, put an end to that.  We had no desire to "compete" with you then and we still have no desire to "compete" with you now.  Our work stands for itself.  We have produced numerous dancers that have received national acclaim.  We have world-class instructors constantly asking us to participate in our many annual workshops.  Our membership continues to grow.  Houston is big enough for everyone to teach swing.  We do not promote isolationism.

6)  There was one more ugly incident involving Carnell. In the fall of 1998, Carnell informed us that he intended to come to one of our Swing Extravaganza parties at the studio. Based on previous incidents, we were concerned he intended to once again promote HSDS at our expense.

First of all, I have much more respect for someone else's property than that.  And I do not appreciate your feeble attempts to make me seem to be unethical and conniving. I have never tried to sneak HSDS material into your dance studio nor have I ever encouraged others to do so.  And you know that to be a fact.  As the owner of the SSQQ dance studio, you have every right to say what can and cannot go on your property.  When Judy asked me not to wear HSDS-related clothing while I taught at your studio.  I complied.  When Judy asked that I not bring HSDS-related material to your studio.  Again, I complied.  So, I don't know what previous incidents you are referring too.  As Judy was woman enough to make her desires known and I was man enough to respect them, I wish you would be man enough to state exactly what incident you are talking about and not continually hide behind vague assertions that you have created.  I don't appreciate anyone attempting to besmirch my character on baseless accusations.

7)  We simply said we preferred that he leave us alone. Ever since, Carnell has blasted SSQQ for our disrespect towards him. I have heard through the Grapevine Carnell feels we owe him an apology. If this is indeed true, then Carnell, wherever you are, here is your apology:
(I was unable to find this passage. I will confirm however that I wrote it.)

Let me say this, Rick.  You are correct on one point here.  You did show me a great deal of disrespect.  Something that I nor any member of HSDS' board of directors would have never done to you or your wife.  And I did let my displeasure be known to those that mattered.  But to say that I feel as though you owe me an apology?  Man!  Get a life!  Apologies are meant to be shared between individuals with a common bond in hopes of further cementing that bond and repairing any damage caused by harsh words.  You and I both know that you could care less about my feelings.  Clearly your kind and gentle wife, Judy, doesn't. (Please note the sarcasm, once again!) So trust me.  An apology from you is neither DESIRED OR REQUIRED!

8)  Our alleged discourtesy towards Mr. Pipkin was cited as the main reason that the SSQQ Swing team was no longer welcome.  (Nice move, HSDS.)
(Click Here to see what Carnell is referring to)

Why use the term "alleged," Rick?  Once again, I ask you to be a man and stand behind your words and stop playing games!  You stated earlier that you did show me disrespect.  And anyone with common sense knows that to be disrespectful is to be discourteous.  But, as much as I would have liked that to have been the reason for your now defunct dance troupe's non-appearance at our Harvest Moon Ball, alas, such is not the case.  The Harvest Moon Ball is an HSDS sponsored event.  NO groups are allowed to perform without first getting an okay from the board of directors and we determine the performance line-up.  That is the rule.  Although HSDS DID NOT extend an invitation to the now defunct Mugs and Skirts, we graciously welcomed them to perform.  However, your group did not like the time slot that was given and they chose NOT to perform.  Despite the fact that the Board of Directors were upset about Judy's nasty little phone call to me, we still had planned on letting them dance.  But, they decided not to.  It was their decision, not ours.

9)  I did not appreciate Carnell telling the world that HSDS was the "ONLY" place in Houston to Swing Dance. Although he was entitled to his opinion about HSDS being the "best", I think his capitalized use of the word "ONLY" was unnecessary as well as inaccurate. The feud was back.
(Click Here to see what Carnell is referring to)

That email that you speak of was directed to the members of the Houston Swing Dance Society.  It was not meant for "the world" as you put it, although our membership does exceed 800.  How you got your little hands on it is unimportant.  But that letter was sent to OUR email list.  And I have every right to say whatever the fuck I please to the members of HSDS.  Just as they have a right to voice whatever concerns they may have.  There is nothing wrong with any organization trying to pump up enthusiasm among its membership. 

When it comes down to your opinion about how I conduct myself among the membership of HSDS, "Well! Frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn!"