[MR] inclusivity

[Michelle L. McDaniel]

Hey all!

The recent discussions have seemed to me to converge around the topic of
inclusivity.

Our founders wanted the SCA to be as inclusive an organization as possible,
thus the rules on religious activities at events, the option of being a
master at arms rather than a knight, and a very vague description of
acceptable attire. When stricter rules than what our founders outlined are
imposed, people feel as though they are being excluded.

There is room  enough in the SCA to allow for all levels of authenticity in
all things. Not everyone has an interest in doing all things as
authentically as possible, all the time. To me, that's not necessarily what
the SCA is about. It's a group of people with similar love for anything
medieval/renaissance. It can accommodate those people whose only love is
13th century Persian miniatures and doesn't wear garb any more authentic
than a polycotton t-tunic, as well as those who are indistinguishable from
what bleeding-edge historical research says a 10th century citizen of
Dublin, Ireland looked like.

We are not a group strictly geared for teaching others not a part of our
group, as many other living history groups are. We are a mutual education
society as much as anything. Look how popular our Universities are and the
number and variety of classes taught. 

So let's enjoy the ability to be as authentic as possible in whatever
things we want, and practice a little "willing suspension of disbelief" and
ignore those little mundane intrusions that occur at all events rather than
letting them spoil day.

Take care!

**aelfwynn of whitby** 



**michelle mcdaniel**
Archives of American Art
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC
mcdanielm at aaa.si.edu