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ORIGINAL: E2Sweet
I strongly feel BDSM related activities don't have any place in the general public. BDSM is still viewed as taboo for the most part, and not every Joe Blow you pass in your day-to-day is going to be accepting of D/s related displays carried out in plain view of the populace.

Edited to add:
If one is going to play in public, the very act itself often involves outsiders directly or indirectly. Anyone doing this had better be willing and prepared to accept the consequences of drawing unsuspecting participants into their shall we say out-of-the-ordinary lifestyle...

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ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth
Except for one very special day, the last Sunday in September, on 13 blocks of Folsom Street in SF. There, on that day, "BDSM related activities" not only "have a place" but are common to view and, if you so desire, participate. 

"Joe Blow" gets to live up to his name.

http://www.sisterbetty.org/film/folsomvideo.htm 

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Is it because we care what they think? Or is it because we regard it as none of their business? Or is it because we are realistic enough to understand that there are some things that are simply beyond others understanding and acceptance, meaning that the hardship it would impose on us, for them to know, isn't worth it?

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ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth

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...The children of indentured servants - from my recollections of history - were not bound legally to those who held their parents' contract...

this slave's ancestor ran away, stole a boat and hid out, which was slightly easier for him to do...being white and all...when he inherited the remainder of his deceased parent's contract.

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and not every Joe Blow you pass in your day-to-day is going to be accepting of D/s related displays carried out in plain view of the populace.

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ORIGINAL: IrishMist

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and not every Joe Blow you pass in your day-to-day is going to be accepting of D/s related displays carried out in plain view of the populace.

I disagree.  Not a day went by that we did not publicly display our dynamic.

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ORIGINAL: rabinyaZharovna
Todays woman is expected to be self sufficient and strong.  Deviating from that expectation, in expressing my desire to follow, is seen as weakness and only invites scorn.  If I were a Domme, it would be easy to express those things, and in fact most women would cheer for me.   "His house, His rules" just doesn't carry the same connotation that your statement does.  Yours denotes strength, to be respected, while mine shows weakness to be ridiculed.

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ORIGINAL: OrionTheWolf

Many just do not understand girl. My dynamic happens every day as well, just like going through shopping today. My girl calls me Master, even in public. She walks just behind me and to my left, and a whole host of other things that represent my dominance and mastery over her. Hell there was even a time when she had her skirt pulled up in the car, while in a parking lot, while she got her ass spanked for having an attitude. Never once have I had someone say something to me.

Sir has taken me out in public on occasion on His lead, and while no one ever said anything to us, watching their expressions was entertaining

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As a result of our natural roles, we come at this from a fundamentally different perspective.  Regardless of the gender of the dominant partner, a position of strength is always more respected than that of perceived weakness.  Slaves/subs often, or must, hide their true nature because that is not an accepted norm in western society.  To operate effectively in that society, it is difficult to be entirely true to our nature in all situations.  Especially in situations, like mine, where one gender is disproportionately represented, to go against those cultural norms invites a stigma that causes more problems than it's worth to be true to my nature.  With my Master, I have the freedom to be what I am, but with those that could never understand the position that I have chosen, nor could I explain that feeling to them, it would be impossible to even exist within that society while expressing who I am.

Todays woman is expected to be self sufficient and strong.  Deviating from that expectation, in expressing my desire to follow, is seen as weakness and only invites scorn.  If I were a Domme, it would be easy to express those things, and in fact most women would cheer for me.   "His house, His rules" just doesn't carry the same connotation that your statement does.  Yours denotes strength, to be respected, while mine shows weakness to be ridiculed.

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ORIGINAL: AquaticSub

How the children of slaves were treated under law in a new system would be one of my primary concerns as I definately want to be a mother and I never want to lose the right to care for my child - or have them sold/given away.

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ORIGINAL: Jagnarok
It helps to define the terms "submission" and "slavery". Slavery in the legal / state-coerced sense might make for some interesting fantasies, but the reality of it in a historical sense has never been very erotic. If anything it has fired the inner spirit of the enslaved to rebel any chance they got, if it did not in fact crush their spirit.

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ORIGINAL: lynn1947

If the government brought back real and legal slavery, would you sign yourself over to your Owner as his/her slave?

:: smiles ::       in the life we have, it helps to have everything squared away as far as paperwork goes,,, so yes, i'd do if only to simplify and let the government know what was in my heart. that's why i have a marriage license. and perhaps i did. i was married as a minor, and the military said that i could not been viewed as an
adult until i was 18, and they made Master my legal guardian until i was of age... does that count?
:: smiles ::


< Message edited by CFslaves2 -- 12/12/2008 3:51:33 AM >

_____________________________

Master and M'Lady's pet
slrn 391-315-872

(in reply to lynn1947)

quote:

Sir has taken me out in public on occasion on His lead, and while no one ever said anything to us, watching their expressions was entertaining