From: vader@meryl.csd.uu.se ("]ke Eldberg")
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: I am still bewildered
Date: 7 Nov 92 18:28:03 GMT
Organization: The Internet

Greetings from William de Corbie!

I joined the Society 8 years ago, under many misconceptions. I thought
that this group re-created the European middle ages, as in "the Age of
Chivalry". I understood that the SCA did not re-create the bad parts
of the middle ages. I understood that it was not only about research
and authenticity, but also (an perhaps more) about fun, so I assumed
that it was a mixture of authentic medieval stuff in a romantic setting,
with some Ivanhoe and Robin Hood. In my assumptions also went quite a
lot of European-bred prejudice about how such a group would work and
be organized. 

How wrong I was.

For these past eight years, I have gotten to know many fabulous people
and I have had a lot of fun. But it is also true that for eight years
I have attempted to understand the SCA, without succeeding. Some aspects
of the Society have brought me disappointment and consternation. I am
still bewildered.

The SCA tells people that it is medieval. This is not true. It also
encompasses the Dark Ages And the Renaissance, and much of the focus
lies in very late "period". There is absolutely no coherence in the
historical re-creation we do; we are a bunch of fiercely independent
individuals, all dedicated to our own niche of the "period".

I believe that my surprise at this comes from being European; we are 
more used to common efforts where each person submits to the goals of
the group.

The most bewildering thing of all is the mixture of, on the one hand,
great dedication to authenticity and scholarly research -- and on the
other hand, the way SCA people totally ignore many flagrantly OOP things. 
On the one hand, we are extremely keen to do the *real* middle ages,
and not some fantasy. On the other hand, these efforts are confined to
a few sectors, while much larger parts of SCA life is allowed to remain
in a fantasy world.

It is abundantly clear that objecting publicly to *anything* which is
done in the SCA, is seen as the worst kind of bad manners. Authenticity
is not enforced, only encouraged. You never criticize or try to stop
anything from being done. You only walk away, and try to gather
people and do something period instead. 

There is very little group pressure, and very much individual initiative.

There is a fierce resistance to any kind of reform which deals with the
Society. Reforms and improvements are always private. Again, everything
falls back on the individual, for whom this is a forum in which one can
display and teach various skills, or just ignore all such and enjoy the
company, the scenery and the action.

I see names and heraldic devices being passed, which are total fantasy,
not to mention very bad taste. Strict rules are applied, but they still
produce fantasy stuff. Not even the most authenticity-eager SCAdians
seem to mind, because names and heraldry fall into the sphere of
personal freedom, which is so sacred in America.

I see plastic armor, and the pretext is "safety" and "cost"; we cannot
demand authentic armor, because it would be too expensive and hard to
get for the poor college students. I see modern archery equipment, and
other modern stuff being used, the pretext being that it is important
that everybody can play. I am not saying that this is necessarily wrong;
but it surprises me that so little is done to encourage authenticity in
these fields.

I see a system of orders, ranks and titles which has almost nothing
to do with any historic time or place. It is sheer fantasy. Still, the
resistance to all suggestions for reform is extremely stiff. "USA: Love
it or leave it" was once the battle cry of those who supported the
Vietnam War. I find similar attitudes in the SCA, and some people get
angry even at the idea that anything could be done to improve this
Society and its system.

I see a system of rulership which, if seen as historic re-creation, is
ludicrous -- and which can only be understood if you know about the
peculiar American fascination for sports and competitions.

I see events where cars are driven into the camp, and even parked there.

The above is no condemnation, no tirade! I am only trying to explain
that for me, a European with some experience of both historical re-
creation and fantasy groups in this part of the world, it is very
difficult to understand the mixture of on the one hand, great skill
and serious dedication, and on the other hand, blatant disregard for
history, that the SCA displays.

I recently championed "Strip the Willow" on the Rialto. I knew that
technically, I was wrong. I tried to find a pretext to do it any way,
but I was beaten firmly into the ground. It amazes me that there was
such strong and well-worded resistance to this dance, while all this
other stuff is going on. It is like standing in the middle of Disney-
land and arguing about whether Woody Woodpecker belongs or not...

These thoughts came to me as I was reflecting on how Drachenwald could
possibly become different, when it goes Kingdom. The most burning
question is whether it is at all possible to mold Drachenwald into a
more "European-style" group within the SCA. I fear that the cultural
differences between America and Europe are greater than most SCAdians
have realized -- and that ultimately, we may be headed for a split
where Drachenwald forms a separate Corporation. I do not say this
to be an alarmist, but the possibility is very real.

William