Fwd: Re: [MR] reactions to competitions

[mary kearney]

 Are the complaints about the compititions you are
hearing because
 the individual didn't win or because every shred of
 their dignity was removed by the comments of the
Judges?

 I hear a lot of complaints about the treatment from
 the
 Judges, I have never heard- "I didn't win - I'll
 never enter again" comments.

 When I first started in the SCA in 1993 in the Mid
Relm, I entered
 every A&S contest at every event I went to, as a way
 to
 find out what I liked to do in the SCA.  I received
 comments like:  "Nice attempt, have you seen what  X
 does with in in this book"  or "see me, I have an
 idea
 on how to help with this".  These Comments helped me
 with reseach and documentation and left my dignity
 intact.  I didn't then and do not now want to win.  I
 entered to find out things about an art that I was
interested in, but maybe wouldn't think of as I was
new to that art.


 My problem with A&S compititions now and over the
 last
 several years here in Atlantia, is not the fact that
I didn't win, because I have, believe it or not! but
 the fact that my entries have also been called
"stupid", I was
 told "they have no place in the SCA at all, let
 alone
 in an A&S contest", and the fact that "I shouldn't
 be
 using "Introduction to..." books as part of my
 documentation" for a first attempt at a specific
 art,
 even though the rest of the documentation notes that
 several other sources state the the "Intro to...."
 was
 the best and most historically correct source to
 use.


 All these comments were written directly on my
 Judging
 sheets, Some Judges were named, others were not. I
still have them and pull them out when I
 feel creative and want to enter a contest - then I
 just forget it & go do service - no one tells me I'm
 stupid and my efforts don't belong in the SCA when I
try to help out!!

 I am not the only person with this complaint, and if
 the A&S judges and MOAS's would listen closely, you
 will find that those of us who do complain are not
 complaining of not winning, but of being beaten to a
 bloody pulp!!  There is a difference!

 Just my two cents worth.


 Mor the Merry





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