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Drama over something built on drama
Aug. 13th, 2018 10:01 amThere's been some trouble brewing within the SCA. And I posted about it on my FB, but I wanted to save these, so I'm actually using this thing for once. I need to get back into the habit.
~*~
#IstandwithDavius
When I joined the SCA 31 years ago, I was pretty innocent and naive. Here was a group that promised me chivalry, enchantment, a lot of fun...and yes, a Victorianized dream of King Arthur...but for a troubled kid, it was just what I needed to fight the demons I couldn't explain or control at that age.
As I grew, I noticed the bad within the organization. I'm not a complete idiot. Every group has good and bad. Despite the bad, I never lost the Dream of living as the persona I had created. Someone who DID believe in Chivalry. Someone who DID believe in Honor.
When I saw the bad, I did what I could to fix it. I did what I could to bolster the good. When I couldn't *do* anything about it, I made MY game better by taking those qualities that I admired and lived them BIGGER.
31 years is a long time to do anything. 31 years brings a more clear view of what *BAD* is, and what *GOOD* is. Bad isn't just inter-game politics. In the grand scheme of things, the things that I thought were bad were mere speed bumps compared to what I have seen in the past couple of years.
From unclear harassment policies to very poorly chosen garb, to current issues within the SCA...I am learning, am seeing more clearly what bad can actually be.
I have read several posts and comments about people choosing to quit the SCA due to the drama. Due to the issues of racism, religious and sexual harassment and policies, and overall trouble when you mix multi-class people in a group...especially one that is essentially based *on drama*.
I am also seeing what good can be. People standing up for what they believe is right. People choosing to do honorable things, when others have not. And a sense of chivalry and nobility in some, when faced with adversity.
I have seen preferential treatment. I have seen good people being overlooked for good works. And I have seen even darker sides.
Despite knowing that the bad is bigger than I knew 31 years ago, despite knowing that I am not a Peer....just a small fish in a very big ocean, despite the fact that my corner of the SCA world is very isolated...
I am not giving up. I am not quitting. I will not let the dreams of a 13-year-old girl be crushed by the wrongdoings of people with more power and rank than myself.
The SCA is more than a game for me. It has been my friend for 31 years. My escape, my safe place to be me, my chosen family. All I can do and will do is take those Noble Virtues and do my best to be a beacon of good against the darkness that threatens my home.
If you are one of those who is thinking about quitting, I ask that you examine that decision closely. For every bad, how many goods have there been? For every argument, how many jokes with friends? For every moment of darkness, how many campfires and torches to light your way?
If you want to quit, then bless your road. But if you are sad to see the SCA go, then I encourage you to take up those things that made this YOUR Dream and put them out there.
Be a voice. Be a change.
~*~
The Crown stands in defense of the Kingdom. It's Knights stand as one, ready to fight. The Masters of Defense and the Dons stand ready with weapons drawn. The fighters of the Kingdom, whether belted or scarved, are arm in arm, a shield wall against wrong.
At the gate stands the Hospitaler. We hold the torch, welcoming the new into our Halls. We stand to watch over the populace, watching as our brethren show our newcomers the ways of the SCA.
Sometimes clouds threaten our home. Arguments, dissent, anger, injustice rise up from time to time. And everyone is affected. Some stand against those times, defending what is good. Some choose to walk away.
I cannot speak to the martial side of the SCA, but as a Hospitaler, it's my job to make sure that the SCA becomes a home for my newcomers. And I take that position very seriously. I stand watch over these situations, and I fight for what is good and right....so my newcomers never have to face situations like this, or are well armed and prepared to fight for future troubles.
Once again, clouds have been seen. And controversy and injustice have raised their heads to create strife. As I stand with my newcomers, some of whom have doubts and concerns, I show them the people who draw together to raise their voices against the wrongs. I show them the honor and nobility of those who fight for something they believe is good.
I can only hope to foster the flame that brought them to us in the first place. It's up to the rest of us to fan those flames higher. We talk about retention, we talk about growth, we talk about new blood in an aging Society.
We need to make sure we're showing them the definition of Courage, Honor, and Nobility. From Crown to minor Nobles.
We need to make sure we're making the SCA a safe place to call home.
~*~
#IstandwithDavius
When I joined the SCA 31 years ago, I was pretty innocent and naive. Here was a group that promised me chivalry, enchantment, a lot of fun...and yes, a Victorianized dream of King Arthur...but for a troubled kid, it was just what I needed to fight the demons I couldn't explain or control at that age.
As I grew, I noticed the bad within the organization. I'm not a complete idiot. Every group has good and bad. Despite the bad, I never lost the Dream of living as the persona I had created. Someone who DID believe in Chivalry. Someone who DID believe in Honor.
When I saw the bad, I did what I could to fix it. I did what I could to bolster the good. When I couldn't *do* anything about it, I made MY game better by taking those qualities that I admired and lived them BIGGER.
31 years is a long time to do anything. 31 years brings a more clear view of what *BAD* is, and what *GOOD* is. Bad isn't just inter-game politics. In the grand scheme of things, the things that I thought were bad were mere speed bumps compared to what I have seen in the past couple of years.
From unclear harassment policies to very poorly chosen garb, to current issues within the SCA...I am learning, am seeing more clearly what bad can actually be.
I have read several posts and comments about people choosing to quit the SCA due to the drama. Due to the issues of racism, religious and sexual harassment and policies, and overall trouble when you mix multi-class people in a group...especially one that is essentially based *on drama*.
I am also seeing what good can be. People standing up for what they believe is right. People choosing to do honorable things, when others have not. And a sense of chivalry and nobility in some, when faced with adversity.
I have seen preferential treatment. I have seen good people being overlooked for good works. And I have seen even darker sides.
Despite knowing that the bad is bigger than I knew 31 years ago, despite knowing that I am not a Peer....just a small fish in a very big ocean, despite the fact that my corner of the SCA world is very isolated...
I am not giving up. I am not quitting. I will not let the dreams of a 13-year-old girl be crushed by the wrongdoings of people with more power and rank than myself.
The SCA is more than a game for me. It has been my friend for 31 years. My escape, my safe place to be me, my chosen family. All I can do and will do is take those Noble Virtues and do my best to be a beacon of good against the darkness that threatens my home.
If you are one of those who is thinking about quitting, I ask that you examine that decision closely. For every bad, how many goods have there been? For every argument, how many jokes with friends? For every moment of darkness, how many campfires and torches to light your way?
If you want to quit, then bless your road. But if you are sad to see the SCA go, then I encourage you to take up those things that made this YOUR Dream and put them out there.
Be a voice. Be a change.
~*~
The Crown stands in defense of the Kingdom. It's Knights stand as one, ready to fight. The Masters of Defense and the Dons stand ready with weapons drawn. The fighters of the Kingdom, whether belted or scarved, are arm in arm, a shield wall against wrong.
At the gate stands the Hospitaler. We hold the torch, welcoming the new into our Halls. We stand to watch over the populace, watching as our brethren show our newcomers the ways of the SCA.
Sometimes clouds threaten our home. Arguments, dissent, anger, injustice rise up from time to time. And everyone is affected. Some stand against those times, defending what is good. Some choose to walk away.
I cannot speak to the martial side of the SCA, but as a Hospitaler, it's my job to make sure that the SCA becomes a home for my newcomers. And I take that position very seriously. I stand watch over these situations, and I fight for what is good and right....so my newcomers never have to face situations like this, or are well armed and prepared to fight for future troubles.
Once again, clouds have been seen. And controversy and injustice have raised their heads to create strife. As I stand with my newcomers, some of whom have doubts and concerns, I show them the people who draw together to raise their voices against the wrongs. I show them the honor and nobility of those who fight for something they believe is good.
I can only hope to foster the flame that brought them to us in the first place. It's up to the rest of us to fan those flames higher. We talk about retention, we talk about growth, we talk about new blood in an aging Society.
We need to make sure we're showing them the definition of Courage, Honor, and Nobility. From Crown to minor Nobles.
We need to make sure we're making the SCA a safe place to call home.