NR - Re: Regional Identity

[Burke McCrory]

At 12:58 PM 9/1/2000 -0500, you wrote:
>My sister Kat said:
><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).>
>
>In the many years that I've been playing, there has always been a
>division of sorts between the North and the rest of the kingdom.
>Sometimes it has been more defined, sometimes less.  It is part of
>the history of Ansteorra, and I don't think it's going to go away.
>The North could stop holding events and only travel south, and I
>dare say there would *still* be a perception that the north is
>somehow different than everyone else and wants to do its own
>thing.

The concept of northern vs southern goes back to the earliest days of the 
Kingdom.  During a period when we had a number of "southern" kings a number 
of people felt the north was getting overlooked and mistreated.  It even 
went so far as to promote talk of the north splitting away from Ansteorra 
and joining with what is now Calonter (which was just a region then) to 
form a new kingdom.  Much of that was solved by a Southern Crown making a 
special effort to address the north and then HG Inman came along and the 
Kingdom had a number of central crowns.

>Poor Brad Leah, put in the administrative region with all of
>Oklahoma.  The Red River is a very real physical (and
>psychological) barrier; and just as Texas as a state will shout
>superiority over the state of Oklahoma (the butt of many jokes
>across the country, I will point out), so too will this bias translate
>into the SCA, whether we want to admit it or not.  Oh, we may try
>to deny it on many different grounds, but you'll have to work pretty
>hard to convince me it's not there at all.
>
>The fact is, we have a regional identity whether we want one or not.
>  We are "The North."   I am a "northern peer."  We are "northern
>groups."  We have "northern events."  Hawkins is a "northern don."
>
>Does this terminology sound familiar?  Sure it does.   Is it going to
>go away if more of us start travelling south?  Hell no.  It was around
>even before we formed administrative regions.
>
>What defines our regional identity is a matter of debate.  It is also,
>perhaps, something that we can choose to create for ourselves,
>positive or negative, rather than leaving it up to random perceptions
>on the part of the rest of the kingdom.  I think that's what Hawkins
>is getting at, and I think it is worthy of pursuit.

I agree with you.  The game is played differently up here, not better or 
worse but differently.  I am proud of my Northern roots and proclaim them 
whenever I can, but I am also proud of our Kingdom.

>Do we want to be separate from the whole (ie. split from
>Ansteorra)?  I dare say the majority of people in the north would
>answer that with a resounding "no!"  If that were not the case, I
>think we would already be a principality, or well on our way there.
>While I am, and always have been, in favor of forming a principality,
>I have never supported that idea with the thought of eventually
>splitting off from Ansteorra.

One point that needs to be interjected here is that a Principality does not 
have to lead to a split with your mother Kingdom.  The Board has embraced 
the concept of perpetual principalities for some time.  Look at the 
Principality of the Mists in the West Kingdom.  If you ask them they will 
tell you quite strongly that they will never be a separate kingdom and are 
very proud to be a part of the West Kingdom.

>However, since I am a "northern" peer (whether I like it or not) I'd
>like to see us make being "northern" something in which I take
>great pride.  You know, I'm not afraid of being different, and I'm not
>afraid of change.  I'm not afraid of having a unique identity and
>being proud of it.  I could easily live with being a member of the
>neatest shire in the coolest region (or principality) of the most
>awesome kingdom in the known world.

I would point out that there are a number of points both pro and con to 
Principalities.  I think that the North could benefit from an open 
discussion of the topic both here and in small informational round table 
discussions.  Any change MUST come from the people of the area.  This is 
the one part of the SCA that does not work like a monarchy.  We have seen 
what happens in the past when someone high up like a Crown or K. Seneschal 
tries to mandate a change, fingers and toes get burned.  But, for the 
populace to be able to make a informed judgment they must be educated as to 
all sides of the issues.  If anyone is interested I would be happy to set 
up a round table at some event where people with opinions from all sides of 
the issue could be heard and the matter could be openly discussed.  I am 
NOT talking about a pro or anti Principality rally.  But a place where 
those interested could and become informed on the subject.

Sir Burke

>In point of fact, I already do.
>
>Gunhilda

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