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mstrjx -> Ambassadors for WIITWD (7/23/2006 12:10:23 PM)
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Ladies, Gentlemen,
Members of CollarMe and other similar corners of the web are members of a subculture. The InSomeWayWeLikeKink organization. We don't all do things the same way, we don't all have the same likes and dislikes, and sometimes we find other members of the organization fascinating enough to date, marry, or just beat.
Now, it turns out that those people who aren't in our organization, call it, oh I don't know, the vanilla community, have heard of what we do and for some of them it seems like an interesting place to visit, hang out, or stay. Not all vanilla people come to find out about us in the same way.
Do we really want to be a subculture? Do we really wish to be underground? When I finally acquiesced to my thoughts, feelings and fantasies quite some time ago, I realized that what I was experiencing were things that we all should come to embrace and know. My experience tells me that, by our nature, we communicate at a higher level than vanilla people. We tend to, again by nature, trust those around us who earn that trust. Some of our relationships can become flawed as any can, but what we start seems to be purer in some ways than those in the vanilla community. If vanilla people took to heart communication, trust, a varying level of power and control not to mention respect, and simply a completely different view of 'self' and 'others', what would happen to the divorce rate? I for one think it would plummet.
So, how do we get the word out? Or, are we already? I think of 'BDSM' as something that's bigger than me, always has been and always will be. I, as an individual, need to respect the traditions, the activities, and all that this world stands for, above all else. Therefore, everything that I do that is seen or heard, not only serves as a reflection of myself as an individual, but reflects on the community as a whole. If I do something of value, perhaps the Lifestyle (or whatever you wish to call it) is enhanced. If I do damage to others by my actions, then an inherent risk is taken to malign everything we believe in. I could not live with myself if that were allowed to happen.
So, I put it to you that we are all ambassadors to what we believe in. What we do and say as a representation of our selves and our beliefs are liable to be heard. This is a CollarMe forum, so it is apparent I am speaking to people within the community, the organization, but it is also a public forum, and my words can be viewed by anyone. I've never been afraid to tell my stories and give my views, and I believe that if some smarmy talk show found me to represent WIITWD, I would acquit myself, and all of you, well. I take responsibility for myself, and as an ambassador (whether I really want to be or not), all of you as well.
Can you say the same?
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