The real question we really should be asking is WHY AREN'T THERE MORE OF US? It's the same question I've asked when in garb, hawking at Big Southern Ren-Faire, headbanging at the Kamelot show, attending sci-fi/comic/anime conventions, and windmilling at Bar Sinister. Where are we?
The answer to this question is uncomfortable and few of us want to talk about it, but it needs to be said. Many of us have internalized the negative images from the dominant culture to the point where anyone in our group who goes against those internalized images is considered a "sell-out". It's a vicious cycle--the dominant culture reinforces these stereotypes of thugs, rappers, drug dealers and baby mamas--and some minorities buy into it, and sadly have no problems with stereotyping themselves.
I was raised with an attitude that I could be anything I wanted to be, go anywhere I chose, and education was the one great equalizer. So when I decided to go to my first Journey concert (Steve Perry, yum), I went, with my cousin Malinda. It was at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and while I could count the number of black faces I saw in the crowd on one hand, that didn't faze me one bit. Hell, I wasn't there to impress anyone. I was there to rock out and lust over the man whose voice did wonderfully tingly things to my pre-adolescent nether parts.
All my life I've been one of the few faces of color in many subcultures--punk, goth, metal, EGA and Steampunk--and I embrace that role. Why? Because I have always done my own thing and I've never cared about standing out (hell, I'm damn near six-feet tall). Has it ever been uncomfortable to me to sometimes be the lone chocolate chip in a sea of vanilla ice-cream? Not at all. Yes, I did get "the look" sometimes, and yes, sometimes people will ask me why I'm there and I answer because I want to be and leave it at that.
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The way I see it, Steampunk is about ALTERNATIVE HISTORY, which mean the British Empire doesn't get to colonize the world and that other cultures can (and should) come to the fore and participate. It also means that we geeks of color shouldn't feel strange because we might be the only one at any given gathering. If Steampunk provides us anything, it's an impetus to really look into history and see that people of color weren't always victims and that we have great people whose names should be tought alongside the usual cast of historical characters. That's the best reason of all, I think, for more people of color to participate--to tell and even re-imagine our vibrant history, and perhaps educate the poor fools who still think Paul Revere made that famous ride.
He didn't, by the way.
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One of the main tenets of the Civil Rights movement is the right of self-determination. For me that means the right to not be limited by my skin color, to determine for myself what blackness is. I don't allow white people to determine that for me because they always get it wrong. I don't allow blacks to determine that for me because THEY always get it wrong. I define me and that definition is subject to change without notice.
Thankfully, I've been seeing a wonderful change, especially in the anime scene. At last year's Pacific Media Expo, I saw a lot of young black girls in full gothic Lolita and in cosplay mode. It's awesome to see us coming in and staking our claim in the fun pie and not be hung upon other people's expectations.
So when I dress as a wench, or in my Regency gothic velvets, or decked out in riding skirt, polonnaise and goggles. I'm just asserting my right to self-determination. A right that too many of my people fought and died for. To limit myself in any way because race is an outright rejection of the sacrifices they made.
Apocalyptica
Sexy men with stringed instruments...what's not to love???
Sexy men with stringed instruments...what's not to love???
