Sad

[lucianus]

There's been a lot of discussion lately about the structure of events. A number of people have expressed some pretty strong opinions about what they think events should be like and about the oppression they feel from other people at events who want to create a more period atmosphere. I can't pretend otherwise, I found a lot of it pretty hurtful.

It makes me kind of sad to think that just by doing what I enjoy - that is trying to create a little space in which one might be "transported" if only for a minute or learn something new - would make people feel like I might be oppressing them. I thought people were having fun with me, no one ever said anything otherwise to me or I wouldn't have continued.

Now I have to ask myself if its ok for me to bring a period style table and chair, or feast gear, or dish that I've cooked to events any more or am I being too exclusive? I have and make these sorts of things and enjoy them and like to use them and if I can teach someone a little bit about history with those few props then that makes me even happier. Would I even be welcome at a simple event such as are being proposed or would my presence there be oppressing to the organizers and other people attending? I don't know.

Anyway you slice it though, it just makes me sad.

Comments

[soteltie.livejournal.com]

Luke, please, please keep doing what you do. You continue to make the SCA a better place for me by setting a wonderful example, inspiring, and teaching anyone who is willing to learn.

You are part of what makes event magic happen for me and I'm so glad to have you here. I just wish we both hadmuch more time to play together :-)

>what they think events should be like
It is nostalgia for events that some people remember fondly, but maybe also there is some nostalgia for parts of their lives when things were simpler.

Some people don't actually get to very many events anymore. When they do, things aren't the same as they remembered. Things and people are unfamiliar and it makes them uncomfortable. Some things have lost their shiny new feeling and glow. Mundane life and busyness means less time to focus on event preparations and sharing pre-event excitement. People arrive at events late and weary, and need to leave early, in order to balance family needs and commitments. Running parts of events means that you don't get to hang out and "be" at the event or see your friends.

I've been struggling with how I would respond to some of the recent posts. Some of the ideas proposed seemed like things I had been very glad to leave in the past.

Some of the ideas reminded me of events I have been to in other groups (not naming names) within the last few years. I had many a good time and made new friends.

Sometimes I shared some event-running knowlege, but other times I kept it to myself and just went with the flow and tried to be a good guest. Parts of these events were simple and fun, yes, but sometimes parts were disorganized, boring, or annoying. And afterwards I am always very glad to return home to Carolingia. We've learned how to get beyond so many things I think of as pitfalls (nope, they don't fit into the category of "rustic charm" or "good 'ol days" for me).

The wonderful thing about the SCA is that we have room for all of it.
Hugs,
j