Black re-enactors

[Crispvs]

I agree with those who feel that it is because many people think that it is a 'Western' thing. More to the point, many black people over here (especially those who have never studied history) take the view that any history which has been written will automatically have excluded them and that therefore any evocation of history, such as re-enactment, is culturally skewed and almost inherantly racist. Often these views are so entrenched that no amount of explaining that the involvement of black people might help to acknowledge their part in history will have any effect whatsoever. Most others simply express indifference to anything historical (like most of the population). Many black people here also see themselves as part of an 'urban' culture and do not look at much which happens outside the cities. Some of the same things could be said about the 'Asian' population.
About four years ago a young man of Pakistani origin, but who looked quite Middle-Eastern, wanted to join the R.M.R.S. as one of our Hamian archers. We were very enthusiastic about his wish to join, partly because we are always keen when someone wishes to join us, partly because most of us felt it would be a positive thing to have a member who could demonstrate in a practical way that re-enanctment is not just a 'white thing' and particularly because he would actually have looked believable as an auxiliary archer from Syria, which most of our other 'Hamian' archers do not. Unfortunately, his parents reacted with horror at his wish to join a re-enactment group and swiftly moved to prevent him being able to be involved. I don't know - perhaps they saw it as a 'white thing'.

About three years ago my wife (who is of Jamaican extraction) joined the group as a civilian. This was mainly so she could prevent herself from being a 're-enactment widow' for yet another year. However, she was made very welcome in the group and has always been popular, partly of course because her presence allowed the civilian section to demonstrate something of the cosmopolitan nature of the Roman empire. However, in truth the subject matter does not really interest her (prefering music and singing) and since an unfortunate event in Rome nearly two years ago she has rarely attended events and has not shown any desire to wear period clothing. Her presence was (and is) appreciated but at the end of the day, she really is not interested. She is not opposed to the hobby - it just does not interest her. Maybe this is the typical attitude amongst most people. Maybe it is stronger amongst 'ethnic minorities'. I'm not sure.

Crispvs :?