Forum Posts: Welcoming a New Member

Despite the elitism suggested by some of the forum posts, I found a similar number of posts that actually show the steampunk community as being very welcoming and accepting of new members, which contrast with the elitist examples. This variety of different responses suggests that elitism in steampunk is something that is not a universal issue, and instead depends on individual situations. The following posts come from steampunkcanada forums:

User Relic Raider openly admits to being "new and... just a tad new to Steampunk," looking for advice on making a steampunk Lara Croft outfit. However, instead of apprehension or rejection on not being a member of the community, she is met with advice, compliments and a welcoming atmosphere. User Stuart responds by complimenting her outfit, calling her hat "lovely," and then giving her some advice on how she can improve the outfit. Later in the forum, he also directs her to the Vernsians, a steampunk community in Halifax, therefore openly welcoming her into the community.

Through this example, it is clear that steampunk is not a homogenous group, as he is very welcoming and friendly towards the new member. Stuart provides a contrast to elitism that suggests that looking at the variety of different types that make up steampunk is essential to a discussion of elitism, as it is not an issue that exists in all members of the community.

This is not, however, to say that the particular thread I discuss is entirely devoid of elitism. User Grande Queen Wanda offers a bit of gendered advice that criticizes the sexuality of Relic Raider's idea:

Wanda's advice is more reminiscent of the elitist representation shown in other media, as she critiques the sexualization of Raider's costume: "I know it is nice to be the chick in a corset and hotpants... you will be surprised how much more becoming and amazing your costume will look by rather than sexing it up to our tastes, doing so to Victorian standards."

Raider is critiqued for her outfit not matching Victorian standards of sensibility, taking on a tone of Victorian elitism, rather than one of acceptance or welcoming. The response of Grande Queen Wanda undermines the welcoming atmosphere shown by Stuart, and writes off outfits that are not Victorian enough for her as being "the chick in a corset and hotpants." This hostile depiction of sexualized outfits is one that suggests an "elite" element to the steampunk community.

The differences between Stuart's reaction and Grande Queen Wanda's reaction once again demonstrate how elitism in steampunk is neither universally present or absent. Instead, elitism differs depending on individuals within the community.


Source: http://www.steampunkcanada.ca/apps/forums/topics/show/6034557