I sit here contemplating how much I have enjoyed being here at the Library. It's one of the few communities that you can find for BDSM where you actually have such an outlet without paying money to get into the forums. The more I consider what we have here, the more I can't help but feel that something is lacking in an already great environment. That something is true education. One could say that since I have found a mentor for myself, that I should be happy with that. As a Dom, I cannot be satisfied at simply finding my own mentor. There are too many people coming into our lifestyle on a daily basis to content myself with my own selfish needs. It is and, will be to a greater degree once I am properly experienced in R/T, to make certain that I aid young Doms and subs in their growth.

For all that I have found here, in the people and in the information present, I find that the mentality by which a lot of ideas are expressed is one of "sink or swim". That just does not work. How can we educate others who are coming into the lifestyle, a lifestyle that may be completely alien to them, by throwing the most profound concepts at the youngsters all at once. We often leave them more confused than when they started.

How can we be satisfied explaining simply that there is a difference between a submissive and a slave, and leave it at that? How can we be satisfied with simply going off on a young Dom who is playing "cock of the walk" as my mentor is fond of saying, and not setting him straight on the responsibilities of being a Dominant. How can we tell a submissive that their responsibility is to obey, without educating them in the fact that they have a right to have their needs met as well?

The problem here is that the effort is not being made. The forums would not be so prolific were it the case. No, the effort IS being made, but it is misguided. We don't step into a Physics class without first being availed of the knowledge of Basic Math and Algebra, do we? Swimmers are not taught to do so by simply throwing them into the deep end and saying "swim or drown". We must take a more thorough approach here, and we must do so soon. It is time to introduce the newcomers to the basics FIRST, before we throw them into the deeper waters. We in the online community are being watched by the true Old-Schoolers out there, and as such, if we want their participation, we cannot allow ourselves to be found wanting or we will remain alone. Alone and without the guidance of the people who laid the foundation of the lifestyle we enjoy today.

To further this, in our lack of competent education in the lifestyle, we leave ourselves open to those who would crusade against our right to practice this lifestyle by branding us as sexual deviants who's practices should be outlawed forthwith.

I, for one, do not intend to stand idly by and watch opportunities pass, and see our rights further taken away through adding fuel to the fire. Brothers, Sisters, and submissives, what will you do?