The Captain of The Brontide's Page

Bwahaha That's a claim to fame right there! :D

I had a great time, thanks. Everyone was so nice, especially since I was there with my book and I was nervous as hell with it being my first signing. But they were all very supportive and helpful. Mde me feel right at home. Now I just wait to see if they like it...*insert more nerves* hahaha

Hi. Did you enjoy the Asylum? I've only just got back to my emails and realised that you were going as well. I'm so lax :/

A very merry birthday to you miss;)

I love the description of where you live!  It does indeed seem complicated but has the ring of truth (if not familiarity).

As to your question.  Overall it has been my experience that MOST people respond in kind to whatever you present to them (politeness = politeness, hostility = hostility).  The danger comes when relationships are more immediate.  In other words, the "different person" (white, black, hispanic, gay, whatever) changes from polite stranger to potential threat when, for example, the nice black man wants to date your daughter or the lesbian is your co-worker.  When the alien presence gets too close, people here have an increased likelihood of extreme reactions (sometimes violence) contrary to their outer mask of civil behavior.

Despite this occasional "subterfuge" I have found that people here have adapted faster and easier than I'd ever expected and have found friends and like-minded souls in the most unusual places and at the strangest of times.

Understand that I believe the souls of humans to be ESSENTIALLY good.

I'll answer more tomorrow, it's later than I'd realized.

Regards,

~A.Brass~

Yes, I do live in America, in the region known as "The South".  To clarify the picture, so to speak, I will also share that my wife and stepsons are caucasian/white and I live in a predominantly white region.  I include this to point out that I may be an uncommon "voice of color"...but it seems to me that there are many more uncommon voices in the world than there were and, from where I stand and look about, the many areas of fandom (sci-fi, fantasy, LARP, costuming, etc) are more varied and colorful than ever.

I am soon to be 42 years of age and have been an active "fanboy" most of my life, starting with a local science-fiction/fantasy club when I was about 13.  People of color have always been a minority...but have become a much larger minority over the past 3 or 4 decades.  I believe that two occurrences are at work; 1) People of color (or handicapped, or elderly, female) are more bold in their show of enthusiasm and willingness to attend various functions, accepting a bit of possible awkwardness in the beginning but continuing on until they are accepted by the rest of the community.  By the way, I meant no chauvinism in mentioning females, it's just that there are MANY more women involved in fandom now as opposed to when I began.  It was mostly just us smelly boys.  I hated it.  ;-)

2) As larger varieties of people participate in activites, those who were already established have naturally grown more accustomed to the variety, making them feel more at-ease and welcoming.

TAG, you're IT.

~A.Brass~

Milady,

MY deepest apologies for taking several days to respond, my work hours are late and I've been a bit distracted.

To the question/topic at hand...

(I include the original statement, mostly to assist my own memory):

" I asked my mother her views and her response was something along the lines of, ‘well we don’t have as much of a culture and community as strong as a lot of people of other ethnic backgrounds, so maybe that’s why we are more likely to be attracted to sub cultures like Steampunk.’  "

Speaking only for myself, I'll say this.  My observations have led me to a theory that people all have very varied backgrounds/histories and (overall) have had a lot of time to develop a magnificent variety of interests and sub-cultures.  It doesn't have to be odd to be a sub-culture, and I'm picturing examples ranging from sports-based clubs, to political parties, to tobacco/pipe clubs, and the list goes on.

My theory of "sub-cultures" is that we (ALL of us) have a need to revert to the TRIBES of all of our ancestors (no matter the culture).  Why?  Because the idea of the tribe represents, at it's core, a fairly small gathering of people that can be trusted and relied upon (in whatever manner, for whatever reason).  I believe that humans constantly make small groupings which are comforting and enjoyable as a need to return to the tribes that all of us once knew.  It's just a theory.  I'd love to know your opinions.

Many thanks,

~A.Brass~

My apologies, I didn't know that I could not send a message after issuing a friend request.  So, to bypass that obstacle, I comment here.  My message was that I saw your post/question in the forums here: http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/forum/topics/steampunk-a-domain-only-for

I thought that I might offer my assistance and viewpoint on the matter.  I am willing and thick-skinned, you may ask me what you will, boldly and honestly.

Regards,

~A.Brass~