Alas, Trimaris

Hail to the swamplands and forests and coasts!

So from what I understand, discussions regarding Inspirational Equality keep getting the kibosh on the official Kingdom e-group. (Then again, I’m not entirely sure if it is an official Kingdom e-group if it is owned privately. What are the rules on that nowadays?) It started, the was kiboshed. Then started again. Then got the kibosh. Then maybe was allowed to start again... oy! Who can keep up?!

From what I understand, the list-owner chose to end the conversation based upon Board advice (which I have not been able to verify one way or the other) and because of a supposed number of complaints (which I have also not been able to verify one way or the other). While I am not in Trimaris, nor on the list, I find it sad that a discussion such as this is being kiboshed when it is something so very important to today’s SCA. Whether loud, crazy, or whatever, I believe firmly that discussions like this need to take place. People need to be able to voice their concerns – whether founded or not. People need to be able to address their fears. People need to be able to consider situations. And to my friends and comrades back there, I encourage you all – act nobly, act politely, act courteously – but don’t give up.

Fighting the Good Fight is never easy. And one doesn’t always come out of it unscarred. But ultimately, it is the right thing to do.

So why is a Caidan taking so much interest in Trimaris? Well, I'll be glad to tell you.

At a time, I was one of the more well-known dance instructors in Trimaris. And back then, the battle raged on in the dance community to stomp out the “four dances of the apocalypse.” For those of you who don’t know what I mean, there were a number of dances that were popular and absolutely fun to do – but they just weren’t the least bit period. And while this should appear to be a no brainer, people became very passionate about this. By moving away from teaching non-period dances, it really pissed some people off. More than once, I was branded as a dance-nazi or even worse – all because of the issue of dance. Seriously? REALLY????!!!! It wasn’t pleasant, but I stuck to my guns. And over time, we stopped doing them. I don’t know if they have been resurrected since, but at least for a while, they went away.

Then there was the time I was Kingdom A&S officer. When I stepped up, I inherited a most unusual situation. My predecessor set up an A&S system that was very heavily focused on fantasy – no exaggeration – FANTASY. Trimarian art-sci faires were filled to the brink with completely non-documentable fantasy items – and this was actively encouraged. When I joined the SCA, I was all for the “creative” aspect, but only in terms of using modern things to help make period-inspired items. So, I changed the system and required that all entries be documentable. OH MY GOD did things get ugly! Again, the name-calling began. I was called every name in the book. But again, I stuck to my guns and fought the good fight. Since that time (to the best of my knowledge), the fantasy stuff has gone away.

Then there was my title. Gods, what a fiasco that turned into! I very proudly use the title, “Messer”. Why? Because as a dance laurel, I wanted to style myself after Messers Dominico di Piacenza and Guglielmo d’Ebreo de Pesaro – famous dance instructors of 15th century Italy who were knighted because of their accomplishments in dance. (Specifically, they were knighted into the Order of the Golden Spur – an order still in use today which was created to recognize people for artistic accomplishment. Mozart eventually became a member of the order as well. But I digress). There was a Trimarian King who took it upon himself to make the call that only the Herald’s office should make. He decided that I should NOT use the title “Messer”, despite being a laurel. I stuck to my guns. I worked with the heralds to have the title considered as an Italian alternate, based upon historical documentation and precedent. The end result? “Messer” was ruled as an acceptable alternate title for all Pelicans and all Laurels society wide.

Then there was Wyvernwood. Yep, that was ugly. The Barony was rife with lots of he-says, she-says childish BS. Rumors were spread. Things were said behind people’s backs. Friends were turned against friends. It was the ugliest behavior I ever personally experienced. And through it all, I was true to myself and true to my values. And I pursued issues up through the Board of Directors, taking the rather radical (for the time) stance that the Crown does NOT have ultimate power and ultimate say in a game based upon real-world law and real-world rules. In the long run, because of all of the stress it was causing to an already very strained relationship, my Baroness and I chose to step down earlier than we had initially wanted. (NO hobby-situation is worth causing that much real-world stress!) But despite giving in at that point, I stuck to my guns, and eventually saw changes put into place. The Kingdom made changes. Corpora changed. And that situation can no longer happen to anyone ever again in any kingdom, ever. Sadly, Wyvernwood has continued to have various issues and challenges over the years. But, I’d like to think at least some good came out of the whole thing.

I guess my point to this is simple. Despite the frustrations that can happen, it is important to keep up the good fight, and take a stance for what is right. If you look at any historical heroes of social change, they often began as “radicals” or some such. Be honorable. Be courteous. Be respectful.

But fight the good fight! Why? Because it is the right thing to do.

I can only hope that IE discussion is allowed to continue in Trimaris. And if it doesn't, I can only hope that those who are interested in the discussion continue to pursue it. As a Trimarian Laurel and former Trimarian Barone, you certainly have my support.