May be representative for Celtic cultures

[NewKilt]

Well I went to the park this AM for my usual kilted walk and noticed rather large group of people leaving the pavillion. I started down the pathway when I heard a women yelling Sir! Sir! I turned around and some of the men and women from the group were coming my way. One woman said, "excuse us, but we would like to talk to you." As it turns out, they were the officers of the Jefferson City Multicultural Forum. They are a nonprofit organization that promotes multicultural understanding in the community.

I had a rather lengthy discussion with them about by Scot/Irish ancestory, told them that I wore kilts full-time and why. To make a long story short, they want me to become a member. This would involve talks and presentations to local groups of people from different cultures, businesses, annual events and festivals, etc. I told them I would be more than happy to join them.

Darrell

[Big Dave]

That's awesome, anytime you can help educate people is a great thing.

[Livingston]

Wow....a chance to ed-u-ma-cate the masses. Seriously, have fun and good luck.

[macwilkin]

Darrell,

You might also let them know about the Mid-Missouri St. Andrew's Society, which has members in Jefferson City and Columbia. PM me and I can probably get you some contact information for them. I do know that they had some folks at the state capitol this past week for Tartan Day, along with some folks from the Kansas City and St. Louis Scottish communities.

Cheers,

Todd

[Kilted KT]

This begs the question...

Do they want you to join to learn about your ancestry, or to see you in a kilt?

being a group of women, I'd say more of the latter...

[pdcorlis]

NEVER underestimate the power of the kilt...

[Robin]

Just great Darrell!

Congrats

[GMan]

Way to go Darrell. Those are always such great things. Knock their socks off.

[James]

Well done.

However do remember that much which was thought to be Celtic is in fact Teutonic/Nordic: and that in much of the highlands there is stronger evidence of Teutonic/Nordic culture than Celtic.

Much of this comes from Viking settlements, and is evidenced by such things as place names.

There has been quite a lot on this in Scots Magazine of late, and on British TV. With such things as the Celtic cross showing Scandinavian artwork-and it can be quite amusing to see in museums-castle & cathedral shops etc, stuff displayed as Celtic: that in fact has a heathen significance.

So whilst saying as above -'well done', and meaning it: I would suggest that you temper the Celtic aspect.

James

[ckelly327]

With all due respect James.

I think that there hasn't really been a debate that the Celtic culture, holidays and festivals haven't evolved over years of cross cultures. There are as many stories of evolution from the Basques as the Nordic influences. It is what has made our culture. As an Irish Catholic I have come to understand the Pagan influences in our celebrations. I don't think there is any need to play down the influences when discussing our diverse culture. If Darrell has the chance to express some of that in educating his constituents then he should use all of it.

Darrell, I hope all goes well and you can especially get the youth in your area to understand that it's not just wearing a kilt but it's honoring a heritage in so many ways.