Thursday, December 10, 2015

Reaching the Next Generation Panel at FaerieCon

R to L: Chris Orapello: Moderator, Ivo Dominguez Jr, Raven Grimassi

     In the heart of Maryland lies a small suburb of Baltimore, called Hunt Valley.  Annually a convention and conference takes place there.  Within this convention lies a metaphysical conference hiding beneath layers of tulle and glitter.  It's called, FaerieCon.  (http://faeriecon.com) 

     I've attended every year since the first, in more recent years it appears that organizers are catering to the Pagans that are attending.  In response the Mythic Track has really taken off.  Now this track has really started to stand on its own, it's attracting more and more familiar faces and  taking itself more seriously.  It's not all glitter and face-paint, don't get me wrong, you won't see a seven foot tall Satyr sitting in on panels on most any other conference. 

     One of the panels that really caught my eye on the schedule was discussing how to reach the next generation of Pagans, Wiccans, and Witches.  The moderator, Chris Orapello came prepared with some great questions and allowed the talk to evolve naturally.  The guests on the panel included Ivo Dominguez Jr., Raven Grimassi, David Salisbury, H. ByronBallard, and Michael Smith.  After each guest was given a chance to introduce themselves, we dove right in.  (Please note: These are notes I took on my iPad as quickly as I could while being respectful to both the panel and the folks sitting on either side of me.  Please forgive any errors.  For the complete audio, see the link at the bottom.)

Mod: Are there any noticeable positives or negative in the generation gap?

Ivo: I don't believe generational differences are primary in our time. It's the limited amount of energy given to people given leadership roles. Think 7 generations ahead. This is not about age, portal of entry into Paganism. This is less a problem of age than about inflexibility of entry than allowing everyone a chance at the steering wheel. 

Raven: I feel it's community resistance. Misunderstanding about the purpose of community. You don't tell people how to live in the house. You only provide the foundation of the house. They think it robs them of individuality. Instead it provides something when the storms come. Show them it doesn't take away from their individuality.  

David: There's an idea that young people don't want to be involved in community. There a trope about this generation being lazy. They really crave community. They want to contribute. Use us.

Byron: There are so many issues. We all remember being 18. Anyone over 30 was stupid. They didn't know anything. We tend to be a religion of converts. Children raised in the religion are a rarity.  We are dealing with a non-binary. It isn't us vs them. 

Michael Smith: It's rare in American culture period. Where the connections between their generation are lost. It gets broken again and again. We don't have a culture of engagement. I am my own person. I will do what I want. We are very individualistic. Quid pro quo. We view our transactions as like for like. 

Mod: What is the problem?

Ivo: People talk about community. Family is the source of community. I had the pleasure and displeasure of 80 blood relatives in 3 block radius. What's missing is how to form relationships of accountability. The real problem isn't pitting generations together. We have families of choice in our personal lives. We need that in Paganism. 

Michael: People can leave. Get a fit and leave. There can be no growing and evolving if people can leave. It doesn't allow to force the change needed. 

Byron: Witch wars arise in part due to Internet facilitated clan/ family skirmishes.

Raven: (Raven begins relating a story about visiting Italian family, a young lady of the family is leaving for a date and explains to everyone in the house, oldest to youngest where she is going, and with whom she'll be.)  Everyone is important enough to say good evening to. No one should ever have to say I don't know where she is. The idea of connection. Elders can come off as elders telling you what to do. The relationship is an honor. Seeing a ways to integrate. See if that doesn't have value. 

David: The youth want that connection but elders feel they don't. It was we want to talk to them. We feel like we're in a bubble and can only talk to each other. Access is denied. 
R to L: David Salisbury, H. Byron Ballard, Michael Smith

How do you fix it?

David: We fix it with youth ambassadors. 

Byron: Affinity groups, I have a few. Smashing patriarchy. 80's to 14. Talk about the differences. Find the things we are interested in. Work face to face. 

Ivo: I often have to repeat out loud and often. Please bug me. They assume because of my years they are reluctant to bug you.  They assume to separation rather than connection. 

Michael: We hear horror stories of people who abuse the power. We want to hear. We want to help. We can really. We don't have to go extinct. I'm busy doing the work that I think is important. That includes listening to you. Self reliance is going to destroy us. This idea that you shouldn't need anyone is going to destroy us.

Byron:"...is destroying us."

Mod: In regards to this future we aren't going to be around. How do we foster the next generation?

Byron: One thing we have to do is be honest. It's not all calling a beautiful quarter; it's scraping candle wax off the floor. It's taking beloved crones to the hospital. It's finding a way to be honest with your practice models for others. Publicly honest about that. It's hard.

David. Tell your community what you want and need. If you want to diversify. They're likely to step forward. 

Ivo: Stone soup. A lot of time we have had problems getting people to step out of their shell in public. Create the holes to be filled. Intentionally leave segments half formed. This has to feed community and they have to feel that what they're doing matters. If you don't expect greatness they'll slack off. Kids do as well in school as teachers expect. If you don't create that space with expectation, it never happens. 

Raven: People think, "I could never do..." That which created all things created you. We are all Seeds of light. 

Michael: As we encourage people to take those roles we have to be prepared to help them and we have to be ready to bite our tongue. "Here is the outcome we are going for". Make yourself approachable. 

Byron: A sense of humor will take you far. We love each other foibles and all. Egalitarian love for each other. 

David: Give them a platform! 


Feel free to check out the fabulous Chris Orapello's audio recording of the panel in its entirety. 

http://www.infinite-beyond.com/datc-062-reaching-the-next-generation-panel-at-faeriecon-2015/

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