A Modern Scottish View of Clans (and Gathering)

[Phil]

I am sure many present-day clan chiefs have little or nothing in common with their predecessors and can appreciate why they may find their role nowadays to be thankless. Why anyone would feel the need to "bend the knee" to them, however is completely beyond me, particularly as so much social change has taken place in this country to reduce the relevance and influence of people derived solely from an accident of their birth. In a country such as America where success is based principally on ability, reverence for inherited influence seems totally incomprehensible. I can only assume that there is a latent desire to look up to such people much in the way the late Princess Diana was revered as a fairy tale princess.

[macwilkin]

I am sure many present-day clan chiefs have little or nothing in common with their predecessors and can appreciate why they may find their role nowadays to be thankless. Why anyone would feel the need to "bend the knee" to them, however is completely beyond me, particularly as so much social change has taken place in this country to reduce the relevance and influence of people derived solely from an accident of their birth. In a country such as America where success is based principally on ability, reverence for inherited influence seems totally incomprehensible. I can only assume that there is a latent desire to look up to such people much in the way the late Princess Diana was revered as a fairy tale princess.

Believe me, America is far from the classless egalitarian paradise you paint it in such romantic terms. Perhaps we Yanks aren't the only ones to buy into myths, eh?

And again, I feel you are being very unfair and making generalizations regarding all Americans and their attitudes towards clan chiefs. Like it or not, the Chief historically is the "father" of a clan, and therefore, is at least entitled to that respect. I respect my clan chief and his efforts to promote the clan's history.

And for the record, the only place I "bend the knee" is in church before and after the Eucharist.

T.

[slohairt]

Believe me, America is far from the classless egalitarian paradise you paint it in such romantic terms. Perhaps we Yanks aren't the only ones to buy into myths, eh?

And again, I feel you are being very unfair and making generalizations regarding all Americans and their attitudes towards clan chiefs. Like it or not, the Chief historically is the "father" of a clan, and therefore, is at least entitled to that respect. I respect my clan chief and his efforts to promote the clan's history.

And for the record, the only place I "bend the knee" is in church before and after the Eucharist.

T.

That's true, Todd. People from everywhere sometimes fall for the myths they or others perpetuate. Here's a story of something that happened to me years ago:

I used to work at a tourist information booth and one day a nice elderly Scottish lady came to the counter and asked where the closest Native Reservation was. I asked her why she wanted to go there. She replied she wanted to see some 'Red Indians' and hopefully witness some traditional ceremonies. Unfortunately, there were some, uh, heated political activities going on there at the time, so I had to dissuade her from going. I also had to explain that Reservations were not always nice places to visit and didn't exactly match up to the myth of Wild West movies. It was an awkward moment, to say the least.

[macwilkin]

That's true, Todd. People from everywhere sometimes fall for the myths they or others perpetuate. Here's a story of something that happened to me years ago:

I used to work at a tourist information booth and one day a nice elderly Scottish lady came to the counter and asked where the closest Native Reservation was. I asked her why she wanted to go there. She replied she wanted to see some 'Red Indians' and hopefully witness some traditional ceremonies. Unfortunately, there were some, uh, heated political activities going on there at the time, so I had to dissuade her from going. I also had to explain that Reservations were not always nice places to visit and didn't exactly match up to the myth of Wild West movies. It was an awkward moment, to say the least.

That wouldn't have been the Oka Crisis would it?

T.

[slohairt]

That wouldn't have been the Oka Crisis would it?

T.

No, it was Ipperwash!

[gilmore]

I am sure many present-day clan chiefs have little or nothing in common with their predecessors and can appreciate why they may find their role nowadays to be thankless. Why anyone would feel the need to "bend the knee" to them, however is completely beyond me, particularly as so much social change has taken place in this country to reduce the relevance and influence of people derived solely from an accident of their birth. In a country such as America where success is based principally on ability, reverence for inherited influence seems totally incomprehensible. I can only assume that there is a latent desire to look up to such people much in the way the late Princess Diana was revered as a fairy tale princess.

That's pretty much it.

Americans of Scots and other British descent are by and large so far removed from that. We also are used to self-autonomy and creating ourselves, creating our own identities, often by appropriating artifacts and identities from other cultures and times as we (mis)understand them and making them our own. We may bend a knee or two, but do so in something of the spirit of a tourist in another country (or a time traveler from another time) who always has the ability, if we wish, to stop pretending and go home to the real world where we really live.

If I were you, I wouldn't complain about it. I would do what others seem to be doing, and try to figure out a way to make money off of us. But that's just me.

[Bugbear]

That's pretty much it.

Americans of Scots and other British descent are by and large so far removed from that. We also are used to self-autonomy and creating ourselves, creating our own identities, often by appropriating artifacts and identities from other cultures and times as we (mis)understand them and making them our own. We may bend a knee or two, but do so in something of the spirit of a tourist in another country (or a time traveler from another time) who always has the ability, if we wish, to stop pretending and go home to the real world where we really live.

If I were you, I wouldn't complain about it. I would do what others seem to be doing, and try to figure out a way to make money off of us. But that's just me.

Probably because I have had to unlearn most of the traditions, beliefs, and some "facts" I was taught growing upwhile having to pay lip service to them. Or at least that is how I relate to what you're saying, Gilmore.

[Freelancer]

That's pretty much it.

Americans of Scots and other British descent are by and large so far removed from that. We also are used to self-autonomy and creating ourselves, creating our own identities, often by appropriating artifacts and identities from other cultures and times as we (mis)understand them and making them our own. We may bend a knee or two, but do so in something of the spirit of a tourist in another country (or a time traveler from another time) who always has the ability, if we wish, to stop pretending and go home to the real world where we really live.

If I were you, I wouldn't complain about it. I would do what others seem to be doing, and try to figure out a way to make money off of us. But that's just me.

Love that last sentence gilmore...spot on!