Prejudices within Our Society

[Michael Gunter]

Since The Good Syr Lyonel opened up the can of worms I would please ask to
submit my two-pence worth as well.  Then we can have the rapier fighters rake
us over the coals.  (Smiley faces are up to the readers to insert at will.  I
trust the intelligence of y'all.)

As in any argument, I feel that Lyonel is correct in some assumptions and
incorrect in others.  In the main we must deal with the horrible term
"prejudice".  Prejudice is the unreasoning dislike of a group or item where
no amount of logic will dissuade.  Most of the knee-jerk reactions of the
rapier-haters is pure prejudice veiled by, sometimes, invalid reasoning.  I
think there are a great many invalid reasons for the dislike of rapier
combat, but I also feel there have been some valid ones as well.  Just as
there are valid and invalid reasons for disliking us "stick-jocks".

I do not consider the safety issue to be valid even if is the most commonly
used excuse.  Yes, rapier combat could be very deadly if several things went
drastically wrong.  So could armored combat, so could archery, so could
armor-making, the rapier community knows the risks and is doing everything in
its power to make it as safe as possible.  After reading the posts of several
prominent rapier masters and listening to respected rapier fighters, I have
no doubt of their intelligence.  They are scholars of a unique and very old
martial art.  Rapier combat is no more potentially deadly than other aspects
of the Society.

Now that I've given the "warm-fuzzies", I'll go on to some of the problems
encountered when the communities clash.  As Lyonel commented the "wimp
factor" is a contributor in which both sides have caused to be a problem. 
Rapier combat is very exerting and does require athletic skill but as far as
true love beyond pain and fear factor I do not think it compares with
chivalric combat.  (There's another term for you, Lyonel.)  Even as a rather
established fighter, I still get nervous when I walk out in armor.  There is
a primeval fear that drives the heavy fighter that I do not think the rapier
fighter feels.  When a rapier fighter swaggers around with a "Don't mess with
me, I'm deadly!" attitude (yes, we've had those as well as swaggering loutish
heavy fighters) I've had to squelch the urge to pat them on the head and go
"I'm sure you are, dear."  Bigoted?  Yes, I'm ashamed to admit.  But all too
common amongst us louts.

Another problem that has occured is the seeming lack of interest by rapier
fighters in the other activities going on at events.  Often when an armored
championship bout is going on (I have even seen this done at a Crown
tournament) the light fighters are off in a corner having their own
get-together.  There are also several occassions when the rapier fighters
would only show up on Sunday to fight in the list and then go home.  They
never showed interest in any other part of the event.  They missed the
Championship tournies (if they have no interest in the armored combat that is
understandable), the bardic fires, and many other parts of what makes the SCA
unique.  People, not just us heavies, have often felt stung by this
disinterest.

The Renaissance created so many new styles of thought, art, and clothing over
the nearly 500 years of Middle Ages that as garish and attention-grabbing as
some of the styles of the varied MA cultures were, they did nothing compared
to the Renaissance styles.  Us early types can blur our perceptions somewhat
through Celtic, Byzantine, Viking, Burgundian, and all that.  But many have
found the Cavalier styles distracting.  They can see through the viking
wearing tennis shoes but be bothered by the perfectly authentic French
Gallant wearing the lace and feathers.  This is a prejudice that will only be
cured by time and acceptance.  (And maybe sometimes calming down some of the
outfits?  Hey, we can work both ways here.)

Now I know that the rapier proponents are heating up their flamers and are
gladly sharpening their counter-point.  You now are certain that I'm one of
those swasher-hating, club-wielding jerks who will do anything to destroy
swash.  In this you are incorrect.  I admire the work and skills of many in
the rapier community.  I feel that prejudice can be overcome and may even
want to put on light armor again some time later.  All I wish to do is get
some of those nasty little problems out of the basement and in the air.  Many
rapier fighters feel there is an unreasoning hatred of thier chosen art just
because they're different but I hope to show that this just ain't so.  There
have been problems on both sides of the fence and with open eyes and
cooperation I think this fence can be torn down.

Okay, folks, your turn to get those flamethrowers started.  I'm wearing my
asbestos underwear!  (Smiley-face included.  :-{)} )

Yers, 

Gunthar