There is a newly forming bdsm group here in Atlanta that thinks anyone over the age of 39 is too old to be in the Scene. The group calls themselves Whippersnappers and they are all over LJ and other venues trying to drum up participation for their little event.
I'm not over the age limit arbitrarily set by these people, but I find it offensive that the little bitch who runs the LJ community feels that it's perfectly fine to ask people to leave the LJ community if they so much as DARE bring up the subject of ageism or question why there is an age limit in the first place.
The fact of the matter is that it IS ageist to ban anyone from an event because of AGE. Period. Just as it would be racist to ban blacks or Asians or whatever. Duh. The attitude shown by that little bitchy GIRL who moderates the LJ community is the very reason that there is very little legitimate bdsm activity in Atlanta in the first place.
It's not the AGE of the people, it's the attitude. No one, and I do mean NO ONE ever believes me when I tell my age. I look about 10 years younger than my drivers license and I damned sure don't prejudge anyone by how they look or their chronological age. I'd rather go to a play party with 10 people in their 50s who have a great attitude and like to have fun than go to the same party with a bunch of sniveling, whining 20-somethings who all look terrific but have shitty attitudes.
Who would feel comfortable in a bdsm environment where looks and attitude is more important than following the rules of play?? I certainly wouldn't and I have experience! How can there be a solid bdsm scene here in Atlanta when the "Old School" folks are banned from passing along their knowledge and skills? Did it occur to anyone in this new group that perhaps there aren't that many 20-ish experienced bdsm people in Atlanta? I mean, it's not like the ATL is the hotbed for bdsm and other "unusual" lifestyles! I personally know several people who are interested in the Scene but have been put off by these young Fantasm/Whippersnapper types, so I know this is an issue.
It's this little group of 20-something poseurs who dominate Fantasm and have made it intolerable due to their hipper than thou attitude. The Whippersnappers LJ community had a few posts about the age limit, citing the reason for it as 'people in their 20s and early 30s don't want to party with OLD people'. Bullshit. The real reason is that this little group is so immature and insecure that they are afraid they will be shown up by older, more experienced doms, subs and switches. And the truth is that they WILL be shown up by more experienced folks. Isn't that the point??
The point of having an active bdsm group (like PEP was) is to introduce people to the Scene and have an open dialog about the various forms of bdsm. Well, if you have a room full of newbies who all look FABulous DAHling but know nothing, who will do the teaching? As usual, this crowd of young poseurs is much more worried about how everyone looks and how hip they are than how much education is going on.
Personally, I'd choose Master Chuck (who is at least 50) to teach me about anything, anytime over ANY of the young poseurs from Fantasm. There is a lot to be said for appreciating a person for their experience rather than how good they look in vinyl.
It's a shame that these people are allowing their own immaturity and prejudices get in the way of forming a group with a good cross section of the Scene. For me, it's the wide variety of people who are in the Scene in the first place that fascinates me: young, old, big, small, dom, sub, you name it. I like the diversity!
Have these people not been to play parties before or what? I mean, one of the basic rules of any play situation is that you can say 'No, Thank You' and no one will be offended. I think if any of these people were really educated in the first place they would not feel that they needed to exclude anyone at the door.
So, needless to say, Nick and I will not be attending any of the Whippersnappers events nor will we attend Fantasm at the Crackhouse. Rather, I'd like to start up my own little circle of friends who want to have play parties. We'll have it at a different home each time and we'll call it Dinner and a Spanking!
If you know us (as in NO STRANGERS) and would be interested in creating a safe, inviting, FUN environment for play parties, please email me or comment here.
as soon as dru gets here for good (he exists i swear, russell has seen him), we wanna play. rather i wanna watch dru play...and then i will.
*snicker*
i hate poseurs. of all kinds. but it's shit like this that's why i generally don't participate in anything that could be fun.
but that's why i agree. we should have our own event. anyhoo. talk at you soon.
Posted by: caroline at January 14, 2004 06:13 PMHi Angela:
I hope that you know me well enough to know that this is in no way posted as a flame. I do feel a need to correct a few facts in your post, and only in regard to the relationship between Whippersnappers and Fantasm.
The two have no official connection. Only one of Fantasm's four directors had any involvement in Whippersnappers, and she is in her 30s. I am a Fantasm (and Whippersnappers) organizer, and I am 35 (turning 36 very soon). Fantasm's directors are all at least in their 30s.
Anyway, just wanted to make those notations and, as always, I hope you and Nick are doing well. I look forward to seeing you two again sometime soon.
Posted by: Andrew Greenberg at January 18, 2004 09:50 PMYes, Andrew, I know that the two events are not connected officially. What I said was that Whippersnappers was DOMINATED by the youngsters who DOMINATE Fantasm. I didn't say that the groups were run by the same people. I know that they are not. I got a really wonderful email from Oz about this as well.
And, I didn't take it as a flame, dear. I know you wouldn't do that!
::hugs and spanks::
Posted by: misangela at January 20, 2004 04:02 PM