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storytimewithjoeDuring this hiatus from events, I have seen quite a number of thoughts and opinions being expressed lately about the BoD, disciplinary actions, changes, and a number of people shaking their heads in frustration and disgust. I do not wish to call attention to the diatribes of some who feel that the SCA has “woke itself into oblivion”, simply because I do not believe there to be any truth to such a claim. Rather, I believe we are on an uncomfortable precipice – one where we see the need to make changes for our future, and we just do not know (today at least) how best to do it. But the good news is, more and more people are beginning to understand the need for change, which is the most important step in being able to improve.
One of the things that I find the most interesting – and ironic – is the fact that some old-time players of high status suddenly “do not feel safe” in the SCA because they come under fire for expressing their political views, whether it be at events or on social media. Without addressing the specifics as to who has said what, I instead want to focus on two important points that seems lost on these people.
Firstly, for the most part, the people that I have seen who no longer “feel safe” in expressing their opinions have, in my experience, been expressing points that are offensive to, dangerous for, or dismissive of the very real concerns of others. For a long time, such behavior was given a pass. Why? Not because the person speaking had Oh So Great a point to make, but rather because of the titles listed after said person’s name. For a long time, Duchess such-n-such, or Master/Sir such-n-such would be given a pass because of all the things that s/he did in the past for the game. Modern views or expressions would be considered off-limits for SCA disciplinary action, simply because many people were fighting for the SCA to be a land of kittens and unicorns and all things fluffy and good, while the modern world was something off limits. But ya know what? In the age of social media – and particularly now when that is our ONLY way of playing in the SCA – the lines between the modern world and pre 17th century society have become blurred. And many people have reached the same conclusion that I reached long ago – it doesn’t matter how long you have been playing, or what your rank and title – if you say or do things publicly that cast a shadow upon a particular group of people, you are being a jerk. And when I weigh your “safety” in being able to say/do as you think versus the very real harm being caused to the people that you are speaking against; you’d better believe I’ll be fighting against you.
The second point that I would like to address is that of “safety”. On more than one occasion, I have seen or heard people express some form of “I’m a conservative, and I no longer feel safe in the SCA because of my views.” Oh the irony! Why irony? Because for years and years and years, bad behavior has disenfranchised many people in the SCA and driven off even more. In the 50 plus years that the SCA has existed, can we honestly and truly say that we have made it a point for people of color to feel safe and welcome? How about members of the LGBT+ community? Why is it that when an older white man with titles complains about his safety that everybody is supposed to stop, drop and pay attention? Is yours the only safety that matters?
I want to tell you all a little story. About a year or two ago, I attended a local Baronial event. It was Pride month, and many members of the chivalry who were attending the event sported some sort of a rainbow chain. Now this was hardly controversial in Gyldenholt, as my husband and I had already served a four year term together as Barons. But the atmosphere and clear acceptance was making a difference. As I walked along, somebody called me over to introduce me to a couple of people who were walking by the park who wanted to see what we were doing. I did my typical schpeel about what the SCA is, what we do, etc. And in no time at all, I realized that the two ladies who stood before me were a lesbian couple. They were trying to skirt the obvious question, but noticed that I was wearing a peerage medallion with a rainbow background. In that saying-it-without-saying-it way, they asked what it meant. And I told them that many peers in the SCA were wearing peerage regalia with rainbows to show support for the LGBT+ community in a movement to show acceptance and equality. Both of them began to tear up.
How many times, my dear friends, have you personally been in such a situation? Many people have not. Can you imagine for a moment WANTING to join an organization like the SCA, but immediately experiencing fear of rejection before you even join? Most people have not. But People of Color, and people in the LGBT+ community, the trans community (and other communities that I am not thinking of right now), have often been made to feel unwelcome. And ya know what? When old timers and/or peers bitch and whine ONLY about their rights to self expression – without any regard to the very real damage caused by their actions – it is time for us all to have a wake-up call and reconsider our priorities and what we also consider to be kind and chivalrous behavior.
No, I am not saying that everybody in the SCA has to believe and say and do as I believe and say and do. No, I am not saying that everybody has to agree on everything. But I do believe that we need to consider the weight of damage caused by individual’s right to self-expression. And while yes, anybody and everybody can say and believe and post whatever they want – if I believe it to be harmful of the game that I love, I will take action to protect my game and not the individual who is only thinking about him/herself.
Yes, the SCA is in the process of waking up to some very real social issues. This is not an easy period of growth. But it is an important one. And you can either work along with the change to be part of its growth, or you can be a stubborn PIA and try to work against it.
The choice is yours. I hope you make the right one.
One of the things that I find the most interesting – and ironic – is the fact that some old-time players of high status suddenly “do not feel safe” in the SCA because they come under fire for expressing their political views, whether it be at events or on social media. Without addressing the specifics as to who has said what, I instead want to focus on two important points that seems lost on these people.
Firstly, for the most part, the people that I have seen who no longer “feel safe” in expressing their opinions have, in my experience, been expressing points that are offensive to, dangerous for, or dismissive of the very real concerns of others. For a long time, such behavior was given a pass. Why? Not because the person speaking had Oh So Great a point to make, but rather because of the titles listed after said person’s name. For a long time, Duchess such-n-such, or Master/Sir such-n-such would be given a pass because of all the things that s/he did in the past for the game. Modern views or expressions would be considered off-limits for SCA disciplinary action, simply because many people were fighting for the SCA to be a land of kittens and unicorns and all things fluffy and good, while the modern world was something off limits. But ya know what? In the age of social media – and particularly now when that is our ONLY way of playing in the SCA – the lines between the modern world and pre 17th century society have become blurred. And many people have reached the same conclusion that I reached long ago – it doesn’t matter how long you have been playing, or what your rank and title – if you say or do things publicly that cast a shadow upon a particular group of people, you are being a jerk. And when I weigh your “safety” in being able to say/do as you think versus the very real harm being caused to the people that you are speaking against; you’d better believe I’ll be fighting against you.
The second point that I would like to address is that of “safety”. On more than one occasion, I have seen or heard people express some form of “I’m a conservative, and I no longer feel safe in the SCA because of my views.” Oh the irony! Why irony? Because for years and years and years, bad behavior has disenfranchised many people in the SCA and driven off even more. In the 50 plus years that the SCA has existed, can we honestly and truly say that we have made it a point for people of color to feel safe and welcome? How about members of the LGBT+ community? Why is it that when an older white man with titles complains about his safety that everybody is supposed to stop, drop and pay attention? Is yours the only safety that matters?
I want to tell you all a little story. About a year or two ago, I attended a local Baronial event. It was Pride month, and many members of the chivalry who were attending the event sported some sort of a rainbow chain. Now this was hardly controversial in Gyldenholt, as my husband and I had already served a four year term together as Barons. But the atmosphere and clear acceptance was making a difference. As I walked along, somebody called me over to introduce me to a couple of people who were walking by the park who wanted to see what we were doing. I did my typical schpeel about what the SCA is, what we do, etc. And in no time at all, I realized that the two ladies who stood before me were a lesbian couple. They were trying to skirt the obvious question, but noticed that I was wearing a peerage medallion with a rainbow background. In that saying-it-without-saying-it way, they asked what it meant. And I told them that many peers in the SCA were wearing peerage regalia with rainbows to show support for the LGBT+ community in a movement to show acceptance and equality. Both of them began to tear up.
How many times, my dear friends, have you personally been in such a situation? Many people have not. Can you imagine for a moment WANTING to join an organization like the SCA, but immediately experiencing fear of rejection before you even join? Most people have not. But People of Color, and people in the LGBT+ community, the trans community (and other communities that I am not thinking of right now), have often been made to feel unwelcome. And ya know what? When old timers and/or peers bitch and whine ONLY about their rights to self expression – without any regard to the very real damage caused by their actions – it is time for us all to have a wake-up call and reconsider our priorities and what we also consider to be kind and chivalrous behavior.
No, I am not saying that everybody in the SCA has to believe and say and do as I believe and say and do. No, I am not saying that everybody has to agree on everything. But I do believe that we need to consider the weight of damage caused by individual’s right to self-expression. And while yes, anybody and everybody can say and believe and post whatever they want – if I believe it to be harmful of the game that I love, I will take action to protect my game and not the individual who is only thinking about him/herself.
Yes, the SCA is in the process of waking up to some very real social issues. This is not an easy period of growth. But it is an important one. And you can either work along with the change to be part of its growth, or you can be a stubborn PIA and try to work against it.
The choice is yours. I hope you make the right one.
