[MR] what we "should" do

[egeorges]

M'lady,

First off, for most of us (including me), this isn't about His Grace, Duke
Logan.

Nor is it about whether Coleman chairs should be covered.  I think most of
us agree they should (unless, of course, unusual circumstances prevent it).

This is about how we handle the issue of authenticity in the SCA.  We
navigate this issue every time we go to an event.  We navigate it when we
welcome newcomers in the group.  It tends to come up a lot.  This new rule
represents a disturbing trend to try enforce authenticity by fiat, rather
than encourage it by example. The problem with this is less the particular
rule itself than the fact that it is apparently now acceptable to legislate
authenticity in the Society, or at least in Atlantia.  That has never been
our way.

And yes, I have a problem with it.  Not because of where we are, as much as
where this might lead to.  We have never been a pure living history group.
We've always made room for people to play as opposed to shutting them out.
Right now, we're focusing on the fighters.  But what's next?  Shall we tell
all attendees that they have to cover their chairs or leave?  Shall we tell
them that they have to bring proper feast gear or not eat?  Shall we tell
them that they have to wear linen and wool, or go home?  While all of those
things would make for a more period and enjoyable atmosphere, it would be
going against our tradition of accessibility, and our tradition of leading
by inspiration, as opposed to force.

We talk a lot about "the Dream" and our chivalric ideals.  Why do we strive
so hard for these things?  Not because some code tells us we should, but
because the ideals themselves inspire us.  The fact that this group does so
much on inspriation alone is itself, inspiring.  I hate seeing that chipped
away bit by bit, with nitpicky rules that may provide the look of
authenticity, but will inspire no passion for history or the Dream.  The
bottom line is, there is nothing inspiring about a bunch of rules.

Do too many people wear blue jeans and not cover their chairs?  Absolutely.
But maybe the answer isn't more rules.  Maybe the answer is that influential
leaders should lead by example.  Maybe the answer is that those with the
knowledge of how to do things in an authentic manner should be held up as
examples, and encouraged to share their knowledge with others.  Other
kingdoms give awards to folks who excell at persona creation and
authenticity.  Jumping straight to the legislative option is certainly
efficient, but it leaves a bad taste in people's mouths.  And it's most
certainly NOT inspiring.

Yours Truly,
Luce Antony Venus


>Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 10:43:18 EST
>From: Ladykatheryne at aol.com
>Subject: Re: [MR] what we "should" do
>To: lordlyon at lairhaven.com
>Cc: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
>Message-ID: <191.21222f8a.2cd13a16 at aol.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
>Bonjour Lord Lyon:
>
>THANK YOU! You finally hit the hammer on the nail. I have tried to say this
>from the beginning. Just because "some" people don't get along with Duke
Logan,
>Doesn't mean we all have to agree with them because" HE no longer holds the
>Position of KING." If everyone would sit back and realize that Duke Logan
isn't
>just talking or demanding crap, as they usually think. HE has put a good
law
>in effect.
>Now everyone, just needs to learn to live with it, whether they like it or
>not.
>
>
>Stressed,
>Katherine d'Anjou