[Northkeep] And from CNN this morning...

[Lahoma Simon]

To Northkeep:

     I have been debating with myself whether or not to get involved in this conversation but as the mother of four children 
in the SCA I feel like I have to speak up.  As a family we have been playing  in the SCA for a little over a year, and one 
of the things that I enjoy the most is that it truly is a family organization.   In the SCA I have seen acts of honor and 
chivalry that bring tears to my eyes, I have seen acts of courtesy and friendship that extend far past the realm of 
historical re-enactment, and I have been able to provide my children an environment that will allow them to not only learn 
history, but also learn by example how to be kind and courteous of those around you.  This is something that is not easy to 
teach in today's world.  And because there are so many fine people involved in the SCA I think that we all forget now and 
then that when you have 60,000 apples in a barrel there will be a few that are rotten.  And, as we all know those are the 
ones that make the news.
    I know that when I am at an event with my children it is easy for me to allow them to run amuck and to believe that 
nothing bad could happen, and as horrible as it is, sometimes it takes something bad happening to someone else to realize 
that it could have been you.  I guess what I am getting at here is that as parents we need to frequently remind ourselves 
that even in the SCA the world is not a perfect place, and that our first priority should always be the safety of our 
children.  This does not mean that I can't let my child attend a class that someone else is teaching, this just means that I 
need to constantly be aware of where they are, and what is going on.  I should be involved to some extent in all of the 
activities that they participate in not only to assure myself of their safety but also to assist the adult that has taken 
the responsibilty of teaching. I would also like to encourage all parents to keep an open line of communication with their 
children in discussing what is appropriate and what is not, and make sure that they are aware that if they feel threatened 
or uncomfortable in any way that they can tell someone without threat of punishment or embarassment. If you are 
participating in a class and cannot be near where your child is be sure to point out someone to them who can find you should 
the need arise.  
     Ultimately it is every parents responsibility to protect their children, and for those of you who teach the classes 
please do not be offended if a parent wants to spend a little time with you before entrusting their child to you, this is to 
protect everyone involved.    I don't want to see this turn into a "witchhunt" nor do I want people to be afraid to teach 
our children.  When we say that they are the future of this organization, it should not be taken lightly.  Without them the 
work that we are doing today is pointless. So, instead of letting this turn into something negative let's all make an honest 
attempt to take  positive steps in assuring the safety of the people in our SCA family as well as displaying a strong show 
of integrity and character within our group to the public and the media.

Respectfully,
Zaynah of Northkeep
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Name: Lahoma Simon
E-mail: Lahoma Simon <lsimon at cherokee.org>
Date: 11/13/2003
Time: 10:52:59

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