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lucianusThere'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.
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.
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In one word
Date: 2007-10-05 01:40 pm (UTC)There are many games and goals in the society. The thing is, they should be able to co-exist. You have been a model for co-existence from your end of the spectrum for as long as I've known you.
You have never turned your back, or nose up to, someone who wasn't meeting your standard of authenticity. In fact, you have welcomed people who were honestly barely trying. That continues to amaze me. With you perfect kits from different eras, you still have time to smile and explain things to the kid in the over-sized t-shirt.
There has been a lot of talk about waning enthusiasm and recruitment. The more I think on it, the more elaborate the issue becomes. It is easy to point at a trend and say "There's the fault!" but the answer isn't that simple. It burns me up that you now feel responsible while you do so much to try and reverse the trend and make authenticity exciting and accessible.
Like I said, BULLSHIT.