Isn't there some way that we can retool the storyline of the Winter Carnival? Seems like with the culture of the Vulcans, we keep coming back to a storyline that ends up subtly promoting sexism, and at times results in some outright misbehavior. The specific problem is the Vulcan "mark" (see definition at bottom), and the way it is initiated.
Seems like a strong Carnival leader (or for that matter a leader concerned with the City's image--hello CVB?), would find a way to recreate the festival. I like the storyline of the Vulcans is in some ways very cool, but has a history of leading to counterproductive activity.
Let's start with the parades. When I have attended, they have been fairly corporate. They had some good music and entertainment, but were disappointingly bland. Lots of cars draped with radio station logos. Could have been better. Far better. Look to Holidazzle, or to the May Day Parade for examples.
MY SUGGESTION? Talk with In Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre, the incredible minds behind the wildly popular May Day parades. (www.hobt.org) They are experts at legend, storyline, and translating that into parade format. They could help reimagine this part of the event, and could do a heck of a lot to change the parade from the moderate attraction it is now to a regional or even national draw, much the way the May Day Parade works (which routinely draws over 60,000).
The Winter Carnival could be a truly defining event for our City, or just a contented little festival tied to a counterproductive tradition or two. I choose the forward looking vision. How about you?
Bob Spaulding Downtown
THE VULCAN MARK: Specifically, (from http://www.winter-carnival.com/legend/vulcans.html). The mark started in 1940. The mark was originally imparted on ladies of the realm as a sign of their willingness to demonstrate their allegiance to the Vulcans and to forsake forever Boreas and his followers. In more recent times, the mark has been extended to male members of the population in this manner: a Krewe member will draw a "V" on the cheek or forehead of the individual.
Bob Spaulding Downtown
On Feb 9, 2005, at 2:48 PM, james wilkinson wrote:
_____________________________________________In 1975 or so, an acquaintence reported that she was volunteering alone at a counseling center in midway area one winter evening. She related that the drunken Vulcans came into the office, chased her and groped her body in various ways.
Can you imagine what must have run through her mind and what a terror it must have been as these masked and drunken men embarked on an outrage that might have, but fortunately did not, end in an even more serious sexual assault?
That instance should have been charged as a crime, as the most recent event has been. My recollection is that this woman filed with the St Paul Dept of Human rights or maybe it was the state, and that the case was concluded with an agreement that the Vulcans would no longer grope and would restrict their "markings" to people who invite this kind of "fun."
Is that restriction enough? I say "No."
First, because the rule evidently is not followed. How many other women have been assaulted?
Second, because the very essence of this part of the Vulcan story is emblematic of rape, of male dominance over women through violence. The masking, the phallic bulging on top their uniform cap, the carousing, the chasing, the "marking" with black, all seem inherited from Celtic fertility rituals in which versions of these activities can be clearly understood as barely disguised symbols of pursuit and rape.
Is this a culture we should be celebrating in St. Paul?
Let V. Rex and his "Krewe" (don't get me speculating about why this clan is spelled with a K.....) continue but let them do symbolic battle with the cold and death of winter and herald the return of spring and warmth and life.
Leave the women and children alone and leave aside forever the celebration of rape.
from Mac Groveland.
===== Shalom, Salaam, Peace .... Jay Wilkinson
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