It was a piece in which the "journalist" asked the natives and tourists what they thought of the con. The answer was unanimous. We were "freaks." To me the article immediately became a virtual version of a carnival sideshow. All these people in downtown Atlanta became the gawkers who stare in fascinated horror at the unfortunate people who had been put on display. To say I felt insulted is an understatement.
Why did they call us by this completely politically incorrect name? They called us "freaks" because so many of us were in costume. For those who don't know, Dragon*Con is the largest science-fiction/fantasy/comic/gamer convention in the southeast. It is our version of, say ComicCon. Dragon*Con is an Experience. If you don't go in costume, you really don't fit in. It's a way for thousands (yes, thousands) of people to show their appreciation for the things that they love. Star Wars, Dr. Who, comic books, anime/manga, and even skeptics all have a place in the con. Unlike many of the people out there who pride themselves on the fact that they're "normal," we aren't afraid to show the world that we love.
We not only recognize the personal journey of Han Solo from out-for-what-he-can-get to galactic hero, we obsess over the obscure characters who only show up in episode five for a total of two seconds. We take changes to our favorite hero's costume personally. We play the beta versions of video games, and we put the science in science-fiction. We are students, parents, friends, doctors, lawyers, and engineers. We are not 30 year old overweight men who don't have real lives. For most of the year we live among you undetected. We are your friends and your neighbors. We break out the costumes for one weekend a year, drive, fly and bus to Atlanta, GA, to have a good time with people who think like we do. Isn't the goal of every person - to make a personal connection with someone else? To share their likes and dislikes? To be? We are not freaks. We are brave men and women who do not fear jeering catcalls and funny looks. Dragon*Con 2010 is only a month away. I will be my wearing my costume with pride and, hey, maybe I'll see you there.
