:: Edgeliving: Master Jim and slave marsha ::

:: Sunday, December 21, 2003 ::

What Is a Leatherman? Master Dean Walradt: A Tribute

Many of our readers may have known Dean Walradt of Dallas, Texas. Master Dean passed away on December 15th after a lengthy illness. I knew Dean for a long time. We served together on the National Leather Association- Dallas Executive Committee, we co-founded and produced both the boys' Training Camp and the Masters' Retreat. Master Dean and Leather by Boots sponsored me and slave marsha in the International Master and slave Contest. Most importantly, we were friends. This post is written as a tribute to Dean Walradt.

Developing a definition for the term "leatherman" may best be done by process of elimination. One does not become a leatherman by buying and wearing leather, although leathermen do wear leather. One does not become a leatherman by assuming a certain identity in the community -- Master, Daddy, Top, bottom, boy, slave, or switch -- for a leatherman can be any of those. One does not become a leatherman by frequenting the local leather bar or leather events, although many leathermen do both. One does not become a leatherman by developing and using SM skills, although many leathermen are accomplished practitioners of the art of SM. And one certainly does not become a leatherman by self-proclamation, for leathermen have no need to tell others who and what they are.

Being a leatherman is a state of mind, an identity, a being. Just as the wearing of full leather---combat boots, chaps, harness, vest, and, if appropriate, a Master's cover--- does not make one into a leatherman, taking off those leathers does not take away a leatherman's identity. Once one becomes a leatherman that is who he is whether he is wearing full leathers, a simple leather vest over a black tee-shirt with 501s and boots, or a suit and tie as he goes on a business trip.

Being a leatherman means that one is "old school." A leatherman has a knowledge and sense of leather history. He acknowledges and honors the traditions of the past, without being tradition-bound. He is attracted by formality, order, and discipline. He knows who the leather forefathers were, he knows who the elders in the community are now, and most of all he honors and respects his history and those who made it. He know the leather pride flag, the hanky code (even if he can only remember a few of the colors), and what IML stands for. He understands what protocol is and what it is not. He knows that the "old guard" is both fiction and reality.

Being a leatherman means that one has an awareness and understanding of the leather community. A leatherman knows that he is not alone, that he has leather brothers and sisters who come together to make a whole that is far greater than the sum of its individual parts. A leatherman knows that in some way he must give something back to the community through his involvement in it and that he cannot live in isolation.

Being a leatherman means that you have been accepted by the leather community, for it is the community that defines a leatherman. A leatherman demonstrates through words and deeds who and what he is and the community takes him in.

Who then was Dean Walradt? As we all are, Dean was many things. He was a father, grandfather, partner, lover, friend, and mentor. He was outspoken, bullheaded, and ornery. He was kind, friendly, and quiet. I knew all of these sides of Dean Walradt and I called him my friend, I called him my leather brother, and above all else, I called him what he was and still is --- a leatherman.

In leather and with respect,

Master Jim

:: 11:01 AM [+] ::
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