NR - Re: Regional Identity

[Lori Campbell]

> Rowan said:
> I tend to agree with the idea that creating a regional identity is not
> creating a sense of isolationalism from the rest of Ansteorra. 

Isn't it?  I think it was Merrik who said that at Pennsic the phrase 
was "Ansteorra is Texas..."  That's a pretty common feeling around 
the Kingdom these days.  I think our devotion to regional identity 
has created the perception that we (the region) want to be separate 
from the whole (or at least that's what I hear from *many* of my 
friends in other regions). 

I know that fewer northern folks journey outside this region (when 
they do it is usually for a Crown or Coronation) and fewer folks 
from other regions come to Northern events.  The sad part is that 
folks don't recognize kingdom leaders when they see them.  Just last 
weekend at Mooneschadowe we were honored to have the Baron of 
Bonwicke visit, but I can't count the number of times I was asked 
"whose that guy in the pointy hat?" by folks who are very active 
regionally.  .   

I'm not saying regional patriotism is entirely to blame for this.  
The crowded calendar and several other factors also contribute.  I 
do think it plays a major role.  The North isn't unique either; other 
regions have fallen into a similar way of thinking.  I just hate that
boundaries originally intended to ease the burden of kingdom 
administration are now beginning to isolate entire groups of 
people.

> I do have one question though:  Is there something "wrong" 
> with creating a regional identity?  

If folks want to rally under that kind of banner, then that is 
their choice, however, tolerance goes both ways.  The folks who 
are on the bandwagon for the "region" need to understand and respect 
that there are folks who aren't along for the ride.  Like it or not, 
folks in this region (some in leadership roles) have been strongly 
criticized for not "supporting the region."  

For my part, allegiance to an administrative region of the 
kingdom, or likewise a geographical area, just doesn't thrill me.  I 
think it was our society seneschal who told me that Ansteorra is the 
only kingdom in the known world with a Regional system and active 
regional patriotism (it's been a while, that might have changed by 
now).  I guess to me the whole concept of loyalty to an 
administrative region feels too much like fealty to a democracy or 
beaurocracy.  It would make more sense to call a spade a spade and 
say they were promoting "principality."  Truth is truth, no matter 
what you call it.

Kat  >^.,.^<
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