One of the biggest problems with the lack of representation is it feeds on itself. The powers that be want to give (white) patrons a vision of the past they expect to see, but those patrons expect to see that vision because that is what they have always seen in the past. Those patrons won't "expect to see" actually historical realism until we give it to them.
So the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future existed in Victorian London, but POC didn't? I'm sorry about your and everyone else's experience, places like that deserves to be safe and comfortable for everyone.
@Emmanuel Goldstein Maybe, if you ignore the statement that every life matters, but then still they are now in big enough numbers that they are a significant part of the community, and they need to be seen and included.
Not so. Africans have resided in Britain since Roman times. I humbly suggest that you conduct a bit of research on this subject. A good starting point would be the article "The black British history you may not know about” by BBC News. The reason why you don’t see black people featured in historical England is the status-quo racism that is a legacy from the transatlantic slave trade. It’s high time that it was done away with.
I’ll admit that I’ve avoided even trying to get involved in (what very little) historical reenactment is around in my area, because my wheelchair isn’t HA. And I just don’t see people who look like me at those reenactment events. I, until last week (when I started watching The Nevers) hadn’t ever seen a historical tv show with a character who was also a wheelchair user. And it sucks, to not see people like you. It sucks worse though be outright told (either explicitly or implicitly) that you don’t belong here, and that’s something I know that POC have had to deal with in historical reenactment for years and years. The likelihood of me ever attending the Dickens Faire is nearly zero, given that I live in Australia and I’m poor (also I shudder to think of how painful the plane ride would be, I’d I ever did manage to get up the money to visit). But I’m more than happy to email them. People need to take a stand, and I really hope that as Red Barn falls (either they lose out organising the event to someone else, or they actually work to be anti racist), other reenactment groups around the world sit up and take notice. Because unfortunately, this is not a singular issue with this one event. I know that many POC would love to take part in many different reenactment events, but don’t because they just don’t see themselves there. Because white people everywhere really want to hold on to their white washed, white supremacist history.
Among the many stories I've heard about Dickens Fair's ableism : A castmate of mine was temporarily disabled and needed to use a cane. To keep participating, she had to purchase a Victorian-looking one rather than using the modern one her doctor had given her. And no, Dickens Fair did not cover any part of this purchase. It's an absolute travesty, and it's not even close to the worst. Thank you so much for e-mailing!
There were wheelchairs in the 1800's that is a weird statement. Alas, in 2022, I've seen NO wheel chairs used by anybody. Canes are all over the place.. some modern ones used by public.
This is gross! I'm not even American, and very new to looking at historic costuming, and even I have heard of this event. It's big and well known. What they choose to do can set the tone for many similar events around the US and even the world. And that they choose to dig their heels in instead of sharing the joy of history with as many people as possible is bewildering!
I feel like I was just scolded by a Victorian school marm, in a good way. Thanks for all the info and links. People in power need to realize things cannot go back to before. (And now I have Ragtime stuck in my head.)
Thanks for being an ally. This is why normally we choose not to participate in these types of things. Its hard to enjoy when you always have to fight to exist, when you always have to fight.
Dickens faire sounds like my cup of tea...except for the whole racism thing. I hope they can get their sh*t together so that it's something everyone can feel safe and included in.
Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria's Black African goddaughter; Mohammed Abdul Karim, Victoria's tutor in Hindi (a language in which she became highly competent); Henry Fawcett, blind Postmaster General; Dadabhai Naoroji, first MP of Indian descent; Oscar Wilde... Just a few of the (real) people Red Barn presumably don't want turning up at their right little, tight little, white little (Un)fair - along with Tiny Tim, at a guess, unless he can be portrayed by a good little white boy with full use of his limbs. That whirring noise I can hear must be the sound of Dickens turning in his grave; for all his faults, he was a lifelong champion of oppressed & marginalised people, and would be sickened by the hypocrisy of Red Barn. I shall not be attending, but I will be writing!
I believe we have a few of those characters (LaToya plays Miss Forbes), but certainly not enough, and also not enough regular "Londoners" who aren't white/cishet/abled/et c. Marginalized people are made to scrabble for tons of historical justification for their roles, much of which was erased because, well, marginalization! Meanwhile white people can invent any backstory they please. Thank you for writing!
As a (former) long-time resident of the Bay Area, the Dickens Fair was one of my favorite events. I knew a few people who worked there, and went every year, usually with one or more friends who did full period dress. I generally wore something I’d cobble together that suggested the period (just couldn’t go whole hog!) and except once, always went in men’s clothes. It’s an amazing event, for sure. Sadly, not at all surprised about the racism, though it’s frustrating that folks in the Bay Area don’t do better…
@@literaterose6731 Wow I never even knew this one existed! (I'm a new sub to this channel too.) I've worked at historical fairs for years (Mediaeval or Renaissance; they're the ones for which I have costumes for myself and also some cunning, period-appropriate accoutrements for my Certified Service Dog). But I did go to one Victorian Christmas fair in the Midwest for a few years, so I cobbled together a period-appropriate dress that's good enough for a patron 😁💁🏾♀️ I love these! -- both as a cast member or as a patron. I'm sometimes in San Francisco, so I'm surprised I've never even heard of this one! Also the events where I've worked have been welcoming and inclusive; I've never felt marginalized. ☺️ ❤️
WOW!! It took me a minute to grasp that Blacks were around during time. Then hearing the back and forth between the Red Barn and the Black cast, who gave more than needed to clear this up.... Thank You for this post.
There at least 10,000 Black Britons by about 1800, mostly in London. In the middle of the 1600s, it had been only a few hundred. This isn't a huge group in a big city, but it is substantial enough that the traditional exclusion of Black Londoners in portraying Victorian London is misleading.
And the latest DNA analysis of Hernry VIII ship the Marie Rose showed that half of those tested were either African descent in Britain or from north Africa or the Mediterranean. The crew was not homogeneous white English. Neither was Victorian England. Nor were the Vikings for that matter. I love how DNA is destroying the white supremacists stories. I can only hit the like button once, I want to mash it 1000 times.
Ironically if you even look at where the Norse have been, there would be no way they were all white. They were literally everywhere, and if you go by standard human behavior, would have likely had members that mated with other groups and brought their offspring back to Scandinavia. I actually posted a whole discourse on Facebook in my heathen group lambasting all the ways that white supremacists have distorted the idea of what the Norse were like just to justify racism in the heathen community, and it actually sickens me that people are doing this. I'm actually happy that the DNA tests were done, since it proves we weren't as isolated as people think we were back in those times.
Oh, wow. I’m not particularly surprised to hear that there was this environment of racism and bigotry at the Faire, but Red Barn’s response has been absolutely appalling. Thank you for helping shine a light on this.
I came to this late (obviously) as I only just found your channel and I’m not local. But I’d love to know if there has been any change? Has the fair management team made the 10000% necessary changes?
I didnt thinking was possible to like you more than I already do but dang... this was so appreciated. This is ally ship and I am sending all the positive vibe/ virtual highfives/hugs ever.
Emailing Dickens Fair sounds like the perfect task for when I am at the laundromat later. For LoAD, for disabled cast and for my ex g/f... a Scottish Jew who was forever being told she wasn't a 'real Scot' or a 'real MacDonald' because she was Jewish.
Important links, now in a pinned comment for easy finding! Sign the petition! But don't donate, the money doesn't go to LoAD : www.change.org/p/red-barn-productions-end-racism-and-injustice-at-the-great-dickens-christmas-fair-bb1b5e22-028b-4e9c-87e2-68f511f61136?signed=true LaToya Tooles' Instagram post : instagram.com/p/COvMsnRgiJy/ LoAD's statement to the Dickens Fair community : mailchi.mp/5186d3e5f70a/thank... LoAD's Statement of No Confidence to Red Barn : drive.google.com/file/d/1TBy0... A timeline of requests around casting practices : drive.google.com/file/d/1eEj-... LoAD's Anti-Racism Initiative : blackatdickens.wixsite.com/load
This is... *chef's kiss* Not the situation, of course, cuz that's absolute bullshit, and I clearly have some emails to write, but the video is on point and minces zero words. Brilliant, and thank you
I need this to be on replay all night without skipping ads! I knew nothing about Dickens Fair untill I entered the world of costuming. Living in scandinavia I'll propaply never attend the DF in San Francisco, but this video was very informative!!! Everyone needs to watch this!
@@SnappyDragon I'm jumping on the Scandinavian bandwagon and just shot them an email. (Just in case I visit.... Which will not happen - but then you never know...)
I am sharing your definition of ally. Thank you for passing along the statements so I can read LoAD's words. I will send a letter. Thank you for using your channel to pass along this important message.
I live under a rock and I didn’t know about this event (🥺) but signed the petition and shared LaToya’s post on Instagram. These issues need to end. Great work!
Thank you for speaking up about this. I always wanted to go to a historical re-enactment event,but was afraid to because of potential racism. I dip my feet in lolita and steampunk. While I haven't had any negative experiences in those worlds,re-enactment event seem to be really out of touch. Like Dandy Wellington says "vintage style,not vintage values". We deal with enough-isms in the world. Everyone should be allowed escapism.
Even if there was never a single black person in victorian england, who cares its a fair and people deserve to see themselves in the event and the people working deserve better treatment than theyve gotten.
Ikr! I'm pretty sure there weren't many (if any?) people of my ethnic DNA in Mediaeval/Renaissance England, but I've always been welcomed as a cast member at the fairs where I've worked. *Tahitian/Japanese/Roma
This EXACTLY! Let's be real, here; even though faires of all types do their best to make sure they stay historically accurate wherever possible, it's still escapist fantasy. Stop being ableist, racist, and homophobic and hiding behind "historical accuracy" in something that's all make-believe, anyway! If the cast member isn't trying to represent a famous, easily-recognized person, then stop nitpicking them for who they are and let them be included! This is part of why I didn't know that one of my favorite authors in history - Alexander Dumas - was a black man until VERY RECENTLY!
Living in New Zealand I'm not sure my voice would be of much help, but I've posted your video to Facebook so that it can be heard wider - hopefully it will be spread a long way and Redbarn get their act together so everyone can be represented
I was absolutely shocked and horrified to find out about this. Thanks for spreading the word! This needs more reach in the Bay Area locally, for those of us not on Instagram or similar.
There were Indians in London in Dickens time too. I was born in Bombay and bought up in London and New York. In "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." Dickens unfinished novel there are Anglo-Indian brother and sister missionaries in the story. Being Anglo-Indian myself I was Proud. I have been going after redbarn for awhile. Thanks for putting this up.
Very glad to hear your voice on this! More novels and other works are being written that acknowledge South Asian presence in the UK both in the past and a future (particularly in genre works), but for some reason the real world events that are meant to be the most...I don't know what I should say...relaxing? frivolous? fun? sometimes seem to hang on to these artificial and ahistorical barriers the most. I mean, there are samurai at the MD Renfaire. And at times, Starfleet officers. It's a game, let people PLAY! (There's a Renfaire in Massachusetts that just collapsed due to one of the owners embracing supremacy and anti-Semitism. The entire cast, who'd been there, established, for years upon years, quit, and are trying to find new "home" faires. This is sad and completely unnecessary.) This is the first I'm ever hearing of a Dickens faire, just in time to get super excited and then heartbroken in minutes.
At first, I was heavily disappointed that I had missed out on knowing Dickens Fair existed despite living many years in the Bay Area (and reading a lot of Dickens there, but not getting out much or knowing many people). Now I'm disappointed. I no longer live in the Bay Area, but I expect better from my home state. I signed the petition and will be writing them notes (if I find they haven't changed in the past 2 months) and my friend in Alameda may know where to put some pressure on as well. Thanks for letting us know.
Thank you for saying what you did about displaying trauma. Too many times I’ve had to explain things in detail which made me uncomfortable and sometimes caused me mental breakdowns in order for people to even take my feelings into account. I really appreciate you recognizing that. Love your videos! I’m new to ze channel~❤️
Thanks for bringing this issue up. I'm a Bay Area native and have gone to Dickens Fair a few times. I shared your video to raise awareness. Great content btw!
Do you have any updates? I actually went to opening day and didn’t notice any royal characters. And in reading the illustrated London chimes noticed no mention of them at Fezziwig’s. I’m curious if RBP removed the family so they wouldn’t have to have to amend portraiture casting.
I have seen a few of your videos, but for this I subscribed. Thank you! I had hoped to go to Dickens Fair one day, but I won't under these circumstances and I will tell them so.
Thank you for explaining all this. I saw people referring to it on Instagram and didn't have enough context to know the full story of what was going on.
I've been going to the Dickens Christmas Fair since I was a kid, but definitely won't be going until they sort themselves out. Thank you for bringing attention to this issue and standing up to the management!
I grew up as a Ren/dickens fair brat because my mother used to be the booth and costume director for both, and I am zero% surprised by this. I love both fairs, and growing up with them has made me who I am, but this kind of action is not acceptable.
I was so not aware of this. As someone who has spent many years going to the OG RenFaire and Christmas Faire, having met the "inventors and developers" of the same, I am horrified. Thank you so much for the eye-opening video. When the Christmas Faire reopens next year, I will be very much in tune. Again thank you.
I only heard about this a couple days ago, after I saw a friend's FB post that mentioned these issues. Longtime patron of DCF from back in the day, but not anymore, not after this. Maybe performers could sound out the production company that took over the SoCal Ren Faire; they seem to have remade the Pattersons' limited vision into something inclusive and creative. DCF may have some IP around their production but they don't own Dickens or Christmas. Take all that love and put it someplace where it can grow. Keep us posted!
It's really bizarre to me that people seem to think that Black and brown people didn't exist in Europe and England even 155 years ago, like??? We know that there have been PoC in Europe dating back to at least the Roman empire. But here's the thing: even if they/we didnt exist anywhere near Victorian England at the time, that's not a good reason to be exclusionary today. And I really appreciate that there is an increasing number of allies who are actively working to make historical costuming and reenactment communities and events more welcoming to PoC. ❤️
I just happened to see the # about this on Facebook and a Google search brought me here. I had no idea what an issue this was. Are the actors and support staff supported by a union? Has it been discussed to try attaching to AEA and IATSE?
I was not expecting this to hit so hard. I'm black and was adopted and have lived by entire life in a white family. When V was talking about not needing proof of trauma to believe LoAD members that made me tear up because I have always been asked to explain and justify my experiences, even by my family. Thank you V for talking about this.
@@SnappyDragon Historical clothes are a peek into the everyday lives of people who lived in the past, so of course history and social justice should follow. 😊
Emails sent hope this helps. I probably will never be able to attend the fair myself being too far away and poor but dang if I’m going to tolerate racism in my costuming community 😡
I always wondered why I never saw hula dancing. After all, Hawaii was a British protectorate at the time and there are dozens of excellent hula dancing groups in the area. It’s always the same old performances. I danced hula for 10 years and wanted to see some performances that I think work within the time period. I wouldn’t have performed because my skills weren’t quite good enough for the large public performances, but I knew dozens of women who were that good.
Thank you for sharing! I've gone to Dickens for a while and even worked a few times (only for vendors though) and totally wasn't aware of what was going on, which means there are likely a lot of well-meaning folks that just didn't know because they weren't involved. Thanks for helping to spread the word so we can help make some positive changes.
who cares if it's "historically accurate", its a fantasy thing, its a bunch of people from modern times wearing historical costumes and making an idealized past, why drag the bigotry of the past into the present?
Yes. If we have a "Vikings Faire" in the Bay Area, POC should feel comfortable attending. I must say- though- as a Latina, I never felt uncomfortable at the Dickens Faire (I even bought a costume)- even though Latinos did not have significant representation in Victorian England. We are all cos-playing history at these faires- be them Renaissance Faires, Dickens Faires, or recreations of feudal Japan (who says that a Latina cannot wear a kimono and go?) Make the faires welcoming to everyone.
I’m local and have a bunch of friends who’ve worked Dickens Faire, including named characters (both historical figures and Dickens characters), performance groups, and vendors. At least one of them showed up in your montage at the beginning. A bunch of them have now made public statements like this, and I support them 100%. (I’ve been pleased to NOT see any friends posting in opposition to LoAD, but I’m bracing for it.) While I’ll be sad to skip Dickens for the foreseeable future unless real change is made, meaning that I won’t get fun times dressing up with my friends, I won’t support the company by going as an attendee. It’s literally the least I can do to show my support, as someone outside the cast.
Ugh. It sometimes feels so hard to be Black in this nation. And like you, I was also raised in an "alternative religion". Double dosage of hate. Right now, though, SnappyDragon, you are inspiring me to dive deep into my historical fiction collection and review fashions from the past. Who knows. Maybe this African American can spearhead her own historical reenactment fair.
It definitely depends on the event. I've never been to this one, but I've been to many others where I've been welcomed. It depends on the people, and I love the fairs where I can show off my historical costume skills and feel welcome as a BIPOC woman.❤️
More comments, more views, more ears/eyeballs on this important topic (side note: I've lived in the bay area my whole life, I didn't know we had a Dickens Faire).
Fun fact: we're not sure what their publicist does? Red Barn has *no social media presence* like, at all, besides a cast and crew fb group. So if you know about it, or you read the news articles about it, you know it. But there are *so many local folks* who have literally no idea that this exists in their backyard.
I mean, the event is absolutely freaking magical. But TPTB bank on this. They know the performers love it so much that they're willing to put up with INSANE hours, no pay (performers literally have to pay to participate) and utter disregard from management. I worked it for years and after five years away, I still ache for it. I was treated like a joke when a friend of one of the founders physically assaulted me, but I still went back and worked 12+ hour days because when it was magic, it was magic. If they get their act together, you should definitely go see it.
I don't know what this event is until now, never attended it, and it seems I won't be going anytime soon. While I'm a part of a historically oppressed group, I'm "good enough" to avoid racism of this kind... but it still pisses me off. I could understand a lack of POC casting and their proper inclusion in an event set in a country like ours, since we historically didn't really have POC. However, London was multicultural since the Tudor times at least and by the 19th century had Irish, Scottish, Roma, Jewish, Slavic, African, Indian and even East Asian communities, and not just small or insignificant ones by any means. It makes zero sense to exclude them, both if they're trying to somewhat emulate the history and in modern context. I don't have social media really, and I'm not sure I feel confident enough to write an email like this in English, but you have my full support and I'm going to rewatch the shite out of this video to increase the reach so other people can spread it.
Yes yes! The idea of a whitewashed historical reenactment isn't just racist, it's *inaccurate.* But of course there are plenty of people who only care about historical accuracy when it suits them.
Fascinating video! Tbh, I've never really understood the "medieval people were smelly and filthy and never washed" idea, because like. Miasma theory of disease was so popular. They literally thought bad smells caused potentially deadly diseases up to and including the plague. So like, of COURSE they didn't want to smell bad??
I’ve attended several times and before last year was well, last year, I was hyping myself up to finally try and look into participating or volunteering in some way, as I adore history and improv acting. I had made one of my goals to look forward to be continuing to look into it and prepare myself for it. But I will not take part in this community if it isn’t an anti racist one! Posting to boost this!!
The litany of escalation here sounds eerily similar to what went down with my city's Pride festival in 2019 (which was eventually cancelled when the Society had a hissy fit). It's the same damn thing, rinse and repeat. Why is it so hard to do even the bare minimum?
I've noticed (white) people really don't like being told that the not-even-bare-minimum they're doing is not the amazing above-and-beyond allyship they think it is.
I. have lived in san francisco for my whole life and though tabout going here this year... but I kind of dont nkow if I would like being there. Im Chinese
The population of England in 1841 was around 15 million people; of that number, 15k were of African descent. As a percentage that is one-tenth of one percent. So a historically accurate representation at the Dickens Fair would be one Black actor for every thousand White actors.
Thank you for this! I've signed their petition and fully stand by the cast striking. I've wanted to attend this event for a while and have never been able to, but I won't be planning to attend without a change in leadership, now.
I’ve heard that People think Bay are is so progressive… it’s not. It’s just another place full of rich white entitled people event though Chinese and Asian are 1/3 of the population and hold swaths of real estates they still think they are better. I’ve met many wonderful people there. And I loved my 11 years there and am grateful for what it offered me. But I am Not delusional. Performance activism, entitlement are strong there. They live in a bubble in that area.
The 2022 Great Dickens Fair has had huge crowds.. lots of built up energy. About 1/15 person wearing masks... help protect against Cholera (that was sweeping London in the 1840's). Many of the public dress up in semi-accurate attire and their energy was quite high. I bow to young (age 7 to 10) wearing princess consumes. Public is getting into the spirit and quite attentive. The weekend of Dec 11th was sold out and I heard Dec 17 and 18th also sold out. With a "boycott" there are less "actors" and no Doc Ladies "applying their trade" and no window animatronics (steam powered no doubt) of ladies in state of undress. No queen, no soldiers, a few "pellers", Fezziwig members are few... so many person under 35 are missing. No "R" show in the Victorian and Albert theater.. the ladies are not present in sufficient numbers. The event (I'm an unpaid actor there in 2022) seams to be a huge success. There was lots of sexual harassment training and I read the LoAD's list of grievances. Some have been addressed and they have valid points but I think the Fair would fail if all the points were enforces. I've attended the fair since 1980's but 1st year "behind the curtain" so I was not evolved in the issues in 2019. There was no fair in 2020 and only an drive though in 2021.
As a stagehand with several friends who worked at DCF over the years, this is sadly the latest of a list of problems I’ve heard about actually participating in DCF and with Red Barn Productions, one of many reasons I’ve never tried being crew there. I hope in great earnest they put their wallets ahead of their prejudices, suck it up, and takes steps towards evolving with the times and stop cherry-picking the parts of history they want to see. A Christmas Carol was published 11 years after Britain outlawed slavery. Calling any person of color a slave, aside from being deeply emotionally damaging and rude, is also inappropriate, even historically. Ugh, people sometimes...
Wow. I’m so disappointed in Red Barn. I was hoping this would be the year I finally made it, but as long as they’re pulling this garbage they won’t be getting my money.
@@SnappyDragon I’ve added my signature and am drafting an email to Red Barn directly. I’m actually shocked that this behavior has continued for so long, especially in an area as diverse and inclusive as the Bay Area is.
Thank you for using your privilege and platform to amplify these voices! This is why I appreciate you and your videos V! Thank you.
Doing my best!
@@LarryLeeMoniz that doesn’t even make any sense
One of the biggest problems with the lack of representation is it feeds on itself. The powers that be want to give (white) patrons a vision of the past they expect to see, but those patrons expect to see that vision because that is what they have always seen in the past. Those patrons won't "expect to see" actually historical realism until we give it to them.
So the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future existed in Victorian London, but POC didn't? I'm sorry about your and everyone else's experience, places like that deserves to be safe and comfortable for everyone.
And fairies, and fictional Dickens characters . . .
@Emmanuel Goldstein Maybe, if you ignore the statement that every life matters, but then still they are now in big enough numbers that they are a significant part of the community, and they need to be seen and included.
@@laartje24 no they don't
The U.K. only started getting a significant number of non-white immigrants after Empire Windrush in 1948
Not so.
Africans have resided in Britain since Roman times.
I humbly suggest that you conduct a bit of research on this subject. A good starting point would be the article "The black British history you may not know about” by BBC News.
The reason why you don’t see black people featured in historical England is the status-quo racism that is a legacy from the transatlantic slave trade.
It’s high time that it was done away with.
I’ll admit that I’ve avoided even trying to get involved in (what very little) historical reenactment is around in my area, because my wheelchair isn’t HA. And I just don’t see people who look like me at those reenactment events. I, until last week (when I started watching The Nevers) hadn’t ever seen a historical tv show with a character who was also a wheelchair user. And it sucks, to not see people like you.
It sucks worse though be outright told (either explicitly or implicitly) that you don’t belong here, and that’s something I know that POC have had to deal with in historical reenactment for years and years. The likelihood of me ever attending the Dickens Faire is nearly zero, given that I live in Australia and I’m poor (also I shudder to think of how painful the plane ride would be, I’d I ever did manage to get up the money to visit). But I’m more than happy to email them.
People need to take a stand, and I really hope that as Red Barn falls (either they lose out organising the event to someone else, or they actually work to be anti racist), other reenactment groups around the world sit up and take notice. Because unfortunately, this is not a singular issue with this one event. I know that many POC would love to take part in many different reenactment events, but don’t because they just don’t see themselves there. Because white people everywhere really want to hold on to their white washed, white supremacist history.
Among the many stories I've heard about Dickens Fair's ableism : A castmate of mine was temporarily disabled and needed to use a cane. To keep participating, she had to purchase a Victorian-looking one rather than using the modern one her doctor had given her. And no, Dickens Fair did not cover any part of this purchase.
It's an absolute travesty, and it's not even close to the worst. Thank you so much for e-mailing!
There were wheelchairs in the 1800's that is a weird statement. Alas, in 2022, I've seen NO wheel chairs used by anybody. Canes are all over the place.. some modern ones used by public.
This is gross! I'm not even American, and very new to looking at historic costuming, and even I have heard of this event. It's big and well known. What they choose to do can set the tone for many similar events around the US and even the world. And that they choose to dig their heels in instead of sharing the joy of history with as many people as possible is bewildering!
Oh wow, I didn't know they had an international reputation! All the more important for them to do what's right.
Same, I am writing them right now to tell them even people from France are not pleased whith their BS...
@@zmeikailievna6568 Thank you so much!
I feel like I was just scolded by a Victorian school marm, in a good way. Thanks for all the info and links. People in power need to realize things cannot go back to before. (And now I have Ragtime stuck in my head.)
School marm? Oof. I'm getting older 😂
@@SnappyDragon It's more an air of authority than age.
@@historiansrevolt4333 So true. Made me want to correct my posture!
Some irony : I don't have a corset that fits right now so my posture while filming was a *mess*. Do as I say, not as I do!
Okay, this I can accept
Thanks for being an ally. This is why normally we choose not to participate in these types of things. Its hard to enjoy when you always have to fight to exist, when you always have to fight.
Well said!
Dickens faire sounds like my cup of tea...except for the whole racism thing. I hope they can get their sh*t together so that it's something everyone can feel safe and included in.
It really is magical! . . . except for the racism et c. Thank you!
Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria's Black African goddaughter; Mohammed Abdul Karim, Victoria's tutor in Hindi (a language in which she became highly competent); Henry Fawcett, blind Postmaster General; Dadabhai Naoroji, first MP of Indian descent; Oscar Wilde...
Just a few of the (real) people Red Barn presumably don't want turning up at their right little, tight little, white little (Un)fair - along with Tiny Tim, at a guess, unless he can be portrayed by a good little white boy with full use of his limbs.
That whirring noise I can hear must be the sound of Dickens turning in his grave; for all his faults, he was a lifelong champion of oppressed & marginalised people, and would be sickened by the hypocrisy of Red Barn. I shall not be attending, but I will be writing!
I believe we have a few of those characters (LaToya plays Miss Forbes), but certainly not enough, and also not enough regular "Londoners" who aren't white/cishet/abled/et c. Marginalized people are made to scrabble for tons of historical justification for their roles, much of which was erased because, well, marginalization! Meanwhile white people can invent any backstory they please. Thank you for writing!
I know that this is 2 years later, but I would love an update.
I have NEVER heard of this event or it's problems but HELL YES. *I'ma do my research now *
Yay research! LoAD has so much important info in the links.
As a (former) long-time resident of the Bay Area, the Dickens Fair was one of my favorite events. I knew a few people who worked there, and went every year, usually with one or more friends who did full period dress. I generally wore something I’d cobble together that suggested the period (just couldn’t go whole hog!) and except once, always went in men’s clothes. It’s an amazing event, for sure. Sadly, not at all surprised about the racism, though it’s frustrating that folks in the Bay Area don’t do better…
@@literaterose6731 Wow I never even knew this one existed! (I'm a new sub to this channel too.) I've worked at historical fairs for years (Mediaeval or Renaissance; they're the ones for which I have costumes for myself and also some cunning, period-appropriate accoutrements for my Certified Service Dog).
But I did go to one Victorian Christmas fair in the Midwest for a few years, so I cobbled together a period-appropriate dress that's good enough for a patron 😁💁🏾♀️
I love these! -- both as a cast member or as a patron. I'm sometimes in San Francisco, so I'm surprised I've never even heard of this one!
Also the events where I've worked have been welcoming and inclusive; I've never felt marginalized. ☺️ ❤️
WOW!! It took me a minute to grasp that Blacks were around during time. Then hearing the back and forth between the Red Barn and the Black cast, who gave more than needed to clear this up.... Thank You for this post.
You're so welcome!
There at least 10,000 Black Britons by about 1800, mostly in London. In the middle of the 1600s, it had been only a few hundred.
This isn't a huge group in a big city, but it is substantial enough that the traditional exclusion of Black Londoners in portraying Victorian London is misleading.
We were there since the Greek and Roman Empires, in addition to monumental ruins still viewable in Zimbabwe and elsewhere!
And the latest DNA analysis of Hernry VIII ship the Marie Rose showed that half of those tested were either African descent in Britain or from north Africa or the Mediterranean. The crew was not homogeneous white English. Neither was Victorian England. Nor were the Vikings for that matter. I love how DNA is destroying the white supremacists stories. I can only hit the like button once, I want to mash it 1000 times.
This is so cool! I love how the more we learn, the more whitewashed ideas about history get broken down.
@@hi-ve1cw maybe you need to learn to read. Take your racist glasses off.
Ironically if you even look at where the Norse have been, there would be no way they were all white. They were literally everywhere, and if you go by standard human behavior, would have likely had members that mated with other groups and brought their offspring back to Scandinavia. I actually posted a whole discourse on Facebook in my heathen group lambasting all the ways that white supremacists have distorted the idea of what the Norse were like just to justify racism in the heathen community, and it actually sickens me that people are doing this. I'm actually happy that the DNA tests were done, since it proves we weren't as isolated as people think we were back in those times.
Oh, wow. I’m not particularly surprised to hear that there was this environment of racism and bigotry at the Faire, but Red Barn’s response has been absolutely appalling. Thank you for helping shine a light on this.
Not surprising, but infuriating all the same. Thanks for supporting change!
Thank you for this. I've never been to DCF and I definitely won't go until RB gets their act together!
If RBP does get their act together, I'll bring you if you ever visit? 💚
Don't go. House/Barn always win.
I came to this late (obviously) as I only just found your channel and I’m not local. But I’d love to know if there has been any change? Has the fair management team made the 10000% necessary changes?
I didnt thinking was possible to like you more than I already do but dang... this was so appreciated. This is ally ship and I am sending all the positive vibe/ virtual highfives/hugs ever.
Aww, thank you! Send e-mails to Red Barn too!
Emailing Dickens Fair sounds like the perfect task for when I am at the laundromat later. For LoAD, for disabled cast and for my ex g/f... a Scottish Jew who was forever being told she wasn't a 'real Scot' or a 'real MacDonald' because she was Jewish.
Thank you for e-mailing! I'm so sorry to hear that happened to her, that's awful.
Maybe I'll dig into the history of Irish Jews for my next character!
Important links, now in a pinned comment for easy finding!
Sign the petition! But don't donate, the money doesn't go to LoAD : www.change.org/p/red-barn-productions-end-racism-and-injustice-at-the-great-dickens-christmas-fair-bb1b5e22-028b-4e9c-87e2-68f511f61136?signed=true
LaToya Tooles' Instagram post : instagram.com/p/COvMsnRgiJy/
LoAD's statement to the Dickens Fair community : mailchi.mp/5186d3e5f70a/thank...
LoAD's Statement of No Confidence to Red Barn : drive.google.com/file/d/1TBy0...
A timeline of requests around casting practices : drive.google.com/file/d/1eEj-...
LoAD's Anti-Racism Initiative : blackatdickens.wixsite.com/load
This is... *chef's kiss* Not the situation, of course, cuz that's absolute bullshit, and I clearly have some emails to write, but the video is on point and minces zero words. Brilliant, and thank you
Thank you, and thank you for writing e-mails!
Thank you for talking about this situation so publicly and boosting the signal!
We love a vocal ally!!!
You're so welcome!
I need this to be on replay all night without skipping ads!
I knew nothing about Dickens Fair untill I entered the world of costuming. Living in scandinavia I'll propaply never attend the DF in San Francisco, but this video was very informative!!! Everyone needs to watch this!
Thank you so much! You should totally e-mail them, y'know, just in case you visit :D
@@SnappyDragon I'm jumping on the Scandinavian bandwagon and just shot them an email. (Just in case I visit.... Which will not happen - but then you never know...)
Dejligt at se andre danskere her. Jeg må lige se dine videoer 😃
@@whiteedk Tusind tak.
Det er skønt at andre danskere også er aktive i costube :D
There may be non Dickens historical events in different countries.
Signal boost comment! This is too important to be missed. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you!
I am sharing your definition of ally. Thank you for passing along the statements so I can read LoAD's words. I will send a letter. Thank you for using your channel to pass along this important message.
Thank you for writing that letter!
Hello there, Edgar Allan Poe here. I wouldn't say things are completely better quite yet but they're getting there. And we're watching. Closely.
I live under a rock and I didn’t know about this event (🥺) but signed the petition and shared LaToya’s post on Instagram. These issues need to end. Great work!
LoAD have done a ton of great work. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for speaking up about this. I always wanted to go to a historical re-enactment event,but was afraid to because of potential racism. I dip my feet in lolita and steampunk. While I haven't had any negative experiences in those worlds,re-enactment event seem to be really out of touch. Like Dandy Wellington says "vintage style,not vintage values". We deal with enough-isms in the world. Everyone should be allowed escapism.
Even if there was never a single black person in victorian england, who cares its a fair and people deserve to see themselves in the event and the people working deserve better treatment than theyve gotten.
Very true! Red Barn's attitude is wrong on so many levels.
Ikr! I'm pretty sure there weren't many (if any?) people of my ethnic DNA in Mediaeval/Renaissance England, but I've always been welcomed as a cast member at the fairs where I've worked.
*Tahitian/Japanese/Roma
This EXACTLY! Let's be real, here; even though faires of all types do their best to make sure they stay historically accurate wherever possible, it's still escapist fantasy. Stop being ableist, racist, and homophobic and hiding behind "historical accuracy" in something that's all make-believe, anyway! If the cast member isn't trying to represent a famous, easily-recognized person, then stop nitpicking them for who they are and let them be included!
This is part of why I didn't know that one of my favorite authors in history - Alexander Dumas - was a black man until VERY RECENTLY!
Living in New Zealand I'm not sure my voice would be of much help, but I've posted your video to Facebook so that it can be heard wider - hopefully it will be spread a long way and Redbarn get their act together so everyone can be represented
Thank you for sharing!
I was absolutely shocked and horrified to find out about this. Thanks for spreading the word! This needs more reach in the Bay Area locally, for those of us not on Instagram or similar.
Doing our best! LoAD is even talking about how to get it in local newspapers if the strike goes ahead.
There were Indians in London in Dickens time too. I was born in Bombay and bought up in London and New York. In "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." Dickens unfinished novel there are Anglo-Indian brother and sister missionaries in the story.
Being Anglo-Indian myself I was Proud.
I have been going after redbarn for awhile. Thanks for putting this up.
Very glad to hear your voice on this! More novels and other works are being written that acknowledge South Asian presence in the UK both in the past and a future (particularly in genre works), but for some reason the real world events that are meant to be the most...I don't know what I should say...relaxing? frivolous? fun? sometimes seem to hang on to these artificial and ahistorical barriers the most. I mean, there are samurai at the MD Renfaire. And at times, Starfleet officers. It's a game, let people PLAY! (There's a Renfaire in Massachusetts that just collapsed due to one of the owners embracing supremacy and anti-Semitism. The entire cast, who'd been there, established, for years upon years, quit, and are trying to find new "home" faires. This is sad and completely unnecessary.)
This is the first I'm ever hearing of a Dickens faire, just in time to get super excited and then heartbroken in minutes.
At first, I was heavily disappointed that I had missed out on knowing Dickens Fair existed despite living many years in the Bay Area (and reading a lot of Dickens there, but not getting out much or knowing many people). Now I'm disappointed. I no longer live in the Bay Area, but I expect better from my home state. I signed the petition and will be writing them notes (if I find they haven't changed in the past 2 months) and my friend in Alameda may know where to put some pressure on as well. Thanks for letting us know.
Thank you for saying what you did about displaying trauma. Too many times I’ve had to explain things in detail which made me uncomfortable and sometimes caused me mental breakdowns in order for people to even take my feelings into account. I really appreciate you recognizing that. Love your videos! I’m new to ze channel~❤️
Welcome! 💚
Yes!! Thankyou. Any progress for this year's fair?
Thank you for bringing attention to this and for adding your voice.
💚💚💚
Good for you! I'm in the UK and never likely to go to Dickens Fair but I totally support what you are saying.
Thank you! (e-mail them anyways? they don't know you won't visit 😂)
I’m in Norway, so ditto other than the location.
Possibly the best description of allyship ever! Frankly I'm not sure I'd want to give these people my custom now considering how they've behaved.
Certainly not now! We're pushing for new leadership that you can feel good about.
@@SnappyDragon my husband and I may well be visiting the States this year, I’ll keep a close eye on this.
Also are there any associated hashtags? I try to make sure I use the same stuff everyone else is
I believe #BeAnAntiRacistCostumer and #ChangeDickensFair are being used!
This is such an important message! I'll stop lurking for once to give you some engagement, this video needs to be seen!
We like engagement!
Thanks for bringing this issue up. I'm a Bay Area native and have gone to Dickens Fair a few times. I shared your video to raise awareness. Great content btw!
IDK who you are but I just subscribed just because of you're words. Thanks for the realness
Aww, thanks!
Do you have any updates? I actually went to opening day and didn’t notice any royal characters. And in reading the illustrated London chimes noticed no mention of them at Fezziwig’s. I’m curious if RBP removed the family so they wouldn’t have to have to amend portraiture casting.
I have seen a few of your videos, but for this I subscribed. Thank you! I had hoped to go to Dickens Fair one day, but I won't under these circumstances and I will tell them so.
Welcome! Thank you for e-mailing them, it really will make a difference.
Is there an update on this?
Thank you for posting this! I support the critical changes LoAD has put together and won't be attending Dickens Fair if they are not adopted.
Thank you for helping push for change!
This was a great and concise summary of the situation! Also it's fun to see myself in my old frock (2014-2016), dancing the Congress of Vienna Waltz.
Thank you friend! It was a really good picture
Thank you for explaining all this. I saw people referring to it on Instagram and didn't have enough context to know the full story of what was going on.
That's what I'm here for!
I've been going to the Dickens Christmas Fair since I was a kid, but definitely won't be going until they sort themselves out. Thank you for bringing attention to this issue and standing up to the management!
Thank you for doing the same!
Thank you so much for boosting this message!
💚💚💚
I grew up as a Ren/dickens fair brat because my mother used to be the booth and costume director for both, and I am zero% surprised by this. I love both fairs, and growing up with them has made me who I am, but this kind of action is not acceptable.
How many more times willwe have to be "not surprised, just disappointed" by things like this? Too many.
wow--who knew?? thank you so much for bringing this to our awareness. i hope rbp gets their act together--there's no reason for them not to. yikes!
The phrase "people not profits" may factor into it, but that's a *whole* other spiel.
Thank you for this, I've been seeing posts but had never heard of DCF before so I'm glad to have more info and sources.
You're welcome!
I am so grateful for this video! I will happily support LoAD!
Thank you!
Thanks for your video. I was cast member for one year and it honestly ruined DCF for me
They really need to do better by their cast! They have no show without us and that's why we're willing to strike.
Hugs! The wheelchair access as a guest was awful too. You are wonderful!
So any updates since this protest?
I was so not aware of this. As someone who has spent many years going to the OG RenFaire and Christmas Faire, having met the "inventors and developers" of the same, I am horrified. Thank you so much for the eye-opening video. When the Christmas Faire reopens next year, I will be very much in tune. Again thank you.
How can I be made aware of a strike? I would not cross that picket line for the world.
I am not in the area nor have I heard of this event, but YES! Stand by with you and LoAD 100 percent.
Thank you for supporting us!
I only heard about this a couple days ago, after I saw a friend's FB post that mentioned these issues. Longtime patron of DCF from back in the day, but not anymore, not after this.
Maybe performers could sound out the production company that took over the SoCal Ren Faire; they seem to have remade the Pattersons' limited vision into something inclusive and creative. DCF may have some IP around their production but they don't own Dickens or Christmas. Take all that love and put it someplace where it can grow. Keep us posted!
It's really bizarre to me that people seem to think that Black and brown people didn't exist in Europe and England even 155 years ago, like??? We know that there have been PoC in Europe dating back to at least the Roman empire.
But here's the thing: even if they/we didnt exist anywhere near Victorian England at the time, that's not a good reason to be exclusionary today. And I really appreciate that there is an increasing number of allies who are actively working to make historical costuming and reenactment communities and events more welcoming to PoC. ❤️
I just happened to see the # about this on Facebook and a Google search brought me here. I had no idea what an issue this was.
Are the actors and support staff supported by a union? Has it been discussed to try attaching to AEA and IATSE?
That's disgusting....in total support of change and safety and inclusion of all...thanks for letting us know about this trash company
Thank you for supporting LoAD!
I was not expecting this to hit so hard. I'm black and was adopted and have lived by entire life in a white family. When V was talking about not needing proof of trauma to believe LoAD members that made me tear up because I have always been asked to explain and justify my experiences, even by my family. Thank you V for talking about this.
Wow😒
I subscribed for the costumes,but I had no idea. Thank you so much for this very informative and enlighting video.
Show up for the costumes, get history and social justice for free?
@@SnappyDragon
Historical clothes are a peek into the everyday lives of people who lived in the past, so of course history and social justice should follow. 😊
This is absolutely atrocious. Here's hoping the other cast members walk out to the picket line as well.
Thank you for e-mailing! So far it looks like half the cast and crew is willing to strike, at least.
Emails sent hope this helps. I probably will never be able to attend the fair myself being too far away and poor but dang if I’m going to tolerate racism in my costuming community 😡
Every letter helps. Thank you!
I always wondered why I never saw hula dancing. After all, Hawaii was a British protectorate at the time and there are dozens of excellent hula dancing groups in the area. It’s always the same old performances. I danced hula for 10 years and wanted to see some performances that I think work within the time period. I wouldn’t have performed because my skills weren’t quite good enough for the large public performances, but I knew dozens of women who were that good.
Thank you for sharing! I've gone to Dickens for a while and even worked a few times (only for vendors though) and totally wasn't aware of what was going on, which means there are likely a lot of well-meaning folks that just didn't know because they weren't involved. Thanks for helping to spread the word so we can help make some positive changes.
Absolutely! Everyone involved including the patrons deserves to know.
who cares if it's "historically accurate", its a fantasy thing, its a bunch of people from modern times wearing historical costumes and making an idealized past, why drag the bigotry of the past into the present?
Yes. If we have a "Vikings Faire" in the Bay Area, POC should feel comfortable attending. I must say- though- as a Latina, I never felt uncomfortable at the Dickens Faire (I even bought a costume)- even though Latinos did not have significant representation in Victorian England. We are all cos-playing history at these faires- be them Renaissance Faires, Dickens Faires, or recreations of feudal Japan (who says that a Latina cannot wear a kimono and go?) Make the faires welcoming to everyone.
I’m local and have a bunch of friends who’ve worked Dickens Faire, including named characters (both historical figures and Dickens characters), performance groups, and vendors. At least one of them showed up in your montage at the beginning. A bunch of them have now made public statements like this, and I support them 100%. (I’ve been pleased to NOT see any friends posting in opposition to LoAD, but I’m bracing for it.)
While I’ll be sad to skip Dickens for the foreseeable future unless real change is made, meaning that I won’t get fun times dressing up with my friends, I won’t support the company by going as an attendee. It’s literally the least I can do to show my support, as someone outside the cast.
Commenting and sharing for boost! This is unconscionable. (Also I lurve you 💜🐉)
I lurve you too!
Thank you for bringing this to the attention of those who more than likely would never have known, myself included.
💚💚💚
As a POC, I don't even like going to Dicken's Faire. 😬
Ugh. It sometimes feels so hard to be Black in this nation. And like you, I was also raised in an "alternative religion". Double dosage of hate.
Right now, though, SnappyDragon, you are inspiring me to dive deep into my historical fiction collection and review fashions from the past. Who knows. Maybe this African American can spearhead her own historical reenactment fair.
...a-a-a-a-and e-mailed. all of them. i sure hope it helps because i'd love to go someday!
Yay e-mails! I hope you can go someday too.
Honestly I have always wanted to go to an event like this in costume but worried if I would feel welcomed. I am glad people are talking about this.
It definitely depends on the event. I've never been to this one, but I've been to many others where I've been welcomed. It depends on the people, and I love the fairs where I can show off my historical costume skills and feel welcome as a BIPOC woman.❤️
I went over to the fair's website, first time ive been there, are the front page antiracism statements new? Is it just showboating?
Yup, those came out right after LoAD's statements.
I meaaaaan. They're...not....NOT showboating?
@@sorchasswans 🤣🤣🤣
More comments, more views, more ears/eyeballs on this important topic (side note: I've lived in the bay area my whole life, I didn't know we had a Dickens Faire).
I hope they get their heads on straight so you can go!
@@SnappyDragon absolutely! I'll be keeping my ears open and fingers crossed
Fun fact: we're not sure what their publicist does? Red Barn has *no social media presence* like, at all, besides a cast and crew fb group. So if you know about it, or you read the news articles about it, you know it. But there are *so many local folks* who have literally no idea that this exists in their backyard.
I mean, the event is absolutely freaking magical. But TPTB bank on this. They know the performers love it so much that they're willing to put up with INSANE hours, no pay (performers literally have to pay to participate) and utter disregard from management. I worked it for years and after five years away, I still ache for it. I was treated like a joke when a friend of one of the founders physically assaulted me, but I still went back and worked 12+ hour days because when it was magic, it was magic. If they get their act together, you should definitely go see it.
It’s such a shame; I was really hoping to come back to Dickens after the pandemic. But I just can’t be part of it the way it is now.
Yes! Thanks for speaking up and bringing this issue to a wider audience
💚💚💚
I don't know what this event is until now, never attended it, and it seems I won't be going anytime soon. While I'm a part of a historically oppressed group, I'm "good enough" to avoid racism of this kind... but it still pisses me off.
I could understand a lack of POC casting and their proper inclusion in an event set in a country like ours, since we historically didn't really have POC. However, London was multicultural since the Tudor times at least and by the 19th century had Irish, Scottish, Roma, Jewish, Slavic, African, Indian and even East Asian communities, and not just small or insignificant ones by any means. It makes zero sense to exclude them, both if they're trying to somewhat emulate the history and in modern context.
I don't have social media really, and I'm not sure I feel confident enough to write an email like this in English, but you have my full support and I'm going to rewatch the shite out of this video to increase the reach so other people can spread it.
Yes yes! The idea of a whitewashed historical reenactment isn't just racist, it's *inaccurate.* But of course there are plenty of people who only care about historical accuracy when it suits them.
Fascinating video! Tbh, I've never really understood the "medieval people were smelly and filthy and never washed" idea, because like. Miasma theory of disease was so popular. They literally thought bad smells caused potentially deadly diseases up to and including the plague. So like, of COURSE they didn't want to smell bad??
And they're using Charles Dickens, an advocate for minorities, disabled people, and the working class to do it. He would be disgusted by this.
I'm so glad the algorithm blessed me with your channel. This is the first I'm hearing of this. Thank you for speaking up.
So frustrating to still see this kind of BS. Thanks for the info!
You're so welcome! Better to see it and stop it than not see it.
@@SnappyDragon Too true! I'd rather know and make an educated choice on how to react and how to help, than have my head in the sand.
I’ve attended several times and before last year was well, last year, I was hyping myself up to finally try and look into participating or volunteering in some way, as I adore history and improv acting. I had made one of my goals to look forward to be continuing to look into it and prepare myself for it. But I will not take part in this community if it isn’t an anti racist one! Posting to boost this!!
Thank you! Hopefully this push for change will succeed and you can participate in a much better Fair.
Came here via Cassianne's (sp?) video. Very informative!
Cassiane's video is excellent! I did the short version and they did the longer one.
Just learned about the fair yesterday and the racism today. Emailing to let them know this isn't going away until they make real change.
The litany of escalation here sounds eerily similar to what went down with my city's Pride festival in 2019 (which was eventually cancelled when the Society had a hissy fit). It's the same damn thing, rinse and repeat. Why is it so hard to do even the bare minimum?
I've noticed (white) people really don't like being told that the not-even-bare-minimum they're doing is not the amazing above-and-beyond allyship they think it is.
@@SnappyDragon We certainly do not! And that's important to keep in mind, lest we think ourselves immune to such shortcomings.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes! :D
I. have lived in san francisco for my whole life and though tabout going here this year... but I kind of dont nkow if I would like being there. Im Chinese
The population of England in 1841 was around 15 million people; of that number, 15k were of African descent. As a percentage that is one-tenth of one percent. So a historically accurate representation at the Dickens Fair would be one Black actor for every thousand White actors.
I’ve been to dickens fair multiple times in the past decade and will not go back until they fix their shit.
Thank you for supporting LoAD!
Thank you for this! I've signed their petition and fully stand by the cast striking. I've wanted to attend this event for a while and have never been able to, but I won't be planning to attend without a change in leadership, now.
Thank you for supporting LoAD!
Thank you for sharing and boosting visibility!
You're so welcome!
I’ve heard that People think Bay are is so progressive… it’s not. It’s just another place full of rich white entitled people event though Chinese and Asian are 1/3 of the population and hold swaths of real estates they still think they are better. I’ve met many wonderful people there. And I loved my 11 years there and am grateful for what it offered me. But I am
Not delusional. Performance activism, entitlement are strong there. They live in a bubble in that area.
The 2022 Great Dickens Fair has had huge crowds.. lots of built up energy. About 1/15 person wearing masks... help protect against Cholera (that was sweeping London in the 1840's). Many of the public dress up in semi-accurate attire and their energy was quite high. I bow to young (age 7 to 10) wearing princess consumes. Public is getting into the spirit and quite attentive.
The weekend of Dec 11th was sold out and I heard Dec 17 and 18th also sold out. With a "boycott" there are less "actors" and no Doc Ladies "applying their trade" and no window animatronics (steam powered no doubt) of ladies in state of undress. No queen, no soldiers, a few "pellers", Fezziwig members are few... so many person under 35 are missing. No "R" show in the Victorian and Albert theater.. the ladies are not present in sufficient numbers.
The event (I'm an unpaid actor there in 2022) seams to be a huge success. There was lots of sexual harassment training and I read the LoAD's list of grievances. Some have been addressed and they have valid points but I think the Fair would fail if all the points were enforces. I've attended the fair since 1980's but 1st year "behind the curtain" so I was not evolved in the issues in 2019. There was no fair in 2020 and only an drive though in 2021.
As a stagehand with several friends who worked at DCF over the years, this is sadly the latest of a list of problems I’ve heard about actually participating in DCF and with Red Barn Productions, one of many reasons I’ve never tried being crew there. I hope in great earnest they put their wallets ahead of their prejudices, suck it up, and takes steps towards evolving with the times and stop cherry-picking the parts of history they want to see. A Christmas Carol was published 11 years after Britain outlawed slavery. Calling any person of color a slave, aside from being deeply emotionally damaging and rude, is also inappropriate, even historically.
Ugh, people sometimes...
Oh gosh, the list of complaints is longer than my arm. Let's hit them in their wallets where it'll actually hurt!
Thank you! Twitter confuses me . . . 😵
@@SnappyDragon
@@TheFalconoflight you think I have Twitter? You have much more confidence in my social media skills than I do.
@@SnappyDragon Twitter is an odd place, I don't blame you for not using it.
Wow. I’m so disappointed in Red Barn. I was hoping this would be the year I finally made it, but as long as they’re pulling this garbage they won’t be getting my money.
Keep pushing for change, so we can have a Dickens Fair you feel good about going to!
@@SnappyDragon I’ve added my signature and am drafting an email to Red Barn directly. I’m actually shocked that this behavior has continued for so long, especially in an area as diverse and inclusive as the Bay Area is.