�I really don't care if your clothes are machine sewn... as long as they
are natural fibers and correct for the period.
I don't care if you sleep on a cot with a sleeping bag, as long as it�s
inside your tent and I cant see it.
I don't care if you have a coleman cooler full of frosty beers. Again as long as its covered and inside your tent and the beer goes into a tin cup before coming out of the tent.
I really don't care if you wear a beard, I will just realize I am more
dedicated than you cuz I shaved mine off and I am the ugliest man alive.
I do care if you do research, because it will be beneficial to you.
I do care if you dislike me when I go whole hog on the authenticity thing because I want everyone in this sport to like and get along
with each other despite their differences.
I do care if you drag your non-period items into view because that
detracts from my pleasure.�
--Dave Woodson
�In putting on the clothing, going before the public and emulating the
life of the 18th-century soldiers we are assuming the role of educator.
The public looks upon us just as they do the interpreters at places like Williamsburg or Plimouth Plantation. They don't have the experience to be able to distinguish between what is correct and what isn't and they assume that we are correctly portraying the people of the period � that our clothing, weapons and accouterments are "real" (that is -- authentic).�
�If folks want to be re-enactors (that is, educate the public by re-creating the life and times of the American Revolution) then there is an obligation to try to be as authentic as possible -- down to the whiskers on your chin (or rather, the lack thereof).�
--Mark Tully
�Many of us go to great pains and expense to have period correct clothing, equipment and attitudes only to have that effort spoiled by someone who basically doesn't care. I can always forgive someone for not knowing but I cannot forgive the individual who knows better and doesn't make an effort. I was taught many years ago when I first started that we as individuals owe it to the others around us to present the most accurate impression possible so that we don't spoil the magic of the moment. When I say the others around us I mean fellow
re-enactors, it is through their efforts and not the public's that we
experience those magic moments in our hobby.�
--Jim Kindred
Compare those opinions with that of the small but vocal minority in the Society for Creative Anachronisms that give the rest of that organization a bad name.
�Arrrrrrrrrr! would all you, stuffed into tights, wimple wearing, fish heads, just cry to your mommas, about your dissatisfaction with the limitations of Historical Recreation. No one should care, until they are, shearing sheep or pounding flax, spinning yarn, weaving cloth, then hand sewing their "period" weekend wear with thread twisted by small girls and blind old women. Then, assuming of course that you are affluent enough to pursue weekend interests, hop in your donkey cart and ride for three days (plan to travel about 30 miles a day) to get to an event. And as your donning your "official" period finery, maybe we can toughen the flock with a little malnutrition, and a few rounds of plague. As one of the more vocal, members of the "Pirate Period", let me remind, those of you who are starting to become offended by this tirade, that "C" in SCA does not stand for "Costume" or "Compulsory" or "CRYBABY" but rather (and this is going come a real shocker to some of you doorknobs) it stands for "CREATIVE". Do what ever it is that you want to do, just do it well. Utilitize modern tools and materials, resources created on your computers, or found in books that were printed by the hundreds of thousands, drive your car and use as much electricity as necessary to "CREATE" for yourself and your like minded friends the historical fantasy where you can be important and influential. Maybe you could be King, Queen or if your really cool, a Pirate Captain! � Find the largest, wildest party at the event, and I'll see you by the campfire, you'll recognize me, by the swinging black lace and gold trimmed Reddinggote, the velvet hat dripping with jewels and feathers, consorting with a comely wench or two, a bottle of rum, and a mouthful of curses and dirty songs.�
Sincerely, the aptly named,
Nitemare, QuarterMaster of the Lyr's Layde.
This SCA �pyrat� strongly believes that unless you can be 100% authentic 100% of the time, there is no point in even trying to be authentic. After all, authenticity just gets in the way of getting drunk, womanizing, and generally being as offensive as possible. No wonder he won�t use his real name.
That being said, I must emphasize that authenticity is a purely personal endeavor. I feel that is NOT my place to point out the authenticity shortcomings of others. Vis-�-vis the following excerpts from George Washington�s Rules of Civility:
�Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himself Proffesses; it Savours of arrogancy.�
�When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it.�
�Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in publick or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it & in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.�
�Wherein you reprove Another be unblameable yourself; for example is more prevalent than Precepts.�
�Give not Advice without being Ask'd & when desired do it briefly.�
�Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belongs to Parents Masters and Superiours.�
