Old Blood vs. New Blood The Divide Between the Generations.

The generational division is not a new predicament that is just stuck in the realm of the mundane; it is a reoccurring issue within the Vampyre community as well. Generational division occurs from different lived experiences, political influences, values, and perspectives. Each generation is shaped by the historical context it thrived in, which leads to a shift in perspectives as time moves forward. This division is rooted in fundamental differences in how each generation pursues and defines identity, values traditions, and responds to social changes.

How does this Correlate to the Vampyre Community?

In the Vampyre community, this division becomes particularly more apparent because of the polar opposite values of traditionalists and modernists. I also believe the difference in age and the stigma that's tied to it will also cause this divide. For Vampyres, this divide is not just about differing life experiences but also about what political climate the VC is in. Yes, we all hate to hear about it; politics unfortunately tends to invite itself into various VC issues. Not only are there politics within the mundane, but also in the nightside.

The Older Generation:

Older generations of Vampyres often grew up in an environment where Vampyrism was more secretive, there were closed communities (also known as houses), hierarchies, and terminologies and labels were far more different. As with anyone who grows closely attached to a set of ideals, they tend to stick with more traditionalist values or even nostalgia. I would like to separate these values based on toxic traditionalist and your more friendly traditionalist values, which I will get to later. Within this generation, loyalty and secrecy came hand in hand when it came to vampyre ethics, especially the older morals stated in The Black Veil.

Toxic traditionalists and traditionalists often get mixed up, especially by newer members that can’t tell them apart. From my personal experience and time within the VC, there is a stark contrast between the two.

Toxic traditionalists are like your average traditionalist; they like to follow “the old ways” or their own interpretation of them. But the difference is they may begin to exclude, shame, and control others; hoard power; and be intolerant towards identity fluidity.

Your good traditionalist may structure themselves, honor and preserve wisdom, and value the old ways while being open or giving a chance to newer ideals. They do this with such grace that it’s admirable and even inspirational for new and young members.

The Younger Generations: Younger Vampyres have grown up in a time when awareness in and out of the VC became normalized, and things were less hush-hush, along with the accessibility that came with it. A lot of it was brought from news articles, the late forum days, online communities, reality TV, and even TikTok. This allowed the younger generation to learn about like-minded individuals while having the right to choose if they wanted to participate in the more traditionalist values of secrecy or the more modernist value of openness. The in-between: There are some people like me who may be stuck in between. Meaning you may be aligned with both values and/or generations. This is induced by a couple of factors: the time you were born and raised, political stance, having a traditionalist mentor, and those who have done extensive research on the VC and felt connected to different periods within the subculture.

So where does the division come in?

Due to these separate upbringings and clashing personalities, there is a disconnect between the generations. This can lead to a mutual disdain for one another or total disagreement.

Here are some examples of what the two generations may disagree with and/or cause tension.

• Tradition vs. Change

• Views on Visibility and Privacy

• Defining the Vampyre Identity

• Ethical Consideration

• Gatekeeping

In what ways can we stop this cycle?

It's hard to say if such a cycle can be broken, as generational wars are so common and deep-rooted since adolescence.But personally, this is what I currently believe can be done to break this cycle.

Promoting open-minded behavior and interconnectivity:

This is something everyone needs to learn, both old and new generations, your traditionalists and your modernist members. We need to stop seeing each other as a burden. As anything ages, there will be the old and the new. Just like how you were once new to the VC and over overtime have been considered an older member. It is part of the natural cycle of evolution of a community. You see disdain between the generations that comes to a point where it is unproductive. We need to set that to the side and think of the future. It can be difficult (since generational hate is also rooted outside the VC), but at least have an open mind when it comes to these two generations and the generations to come. There is a lot you can learn from each other, and both play a special role in the VC. We need to start collaborating and meeting in the middle. Not a single generation is superior to the other. Non-toxic traditionalism should not be mixed up with the mistakes that were made in the past by toxic traditionalists. If you ever met a nice traditionalist, they would wish hope and abundance for the newer generation. “New blood” is what a wise traditionalist once told me. Let these traditionalists tell you about the many stories from the old VC. Let you learn from them. Understand the VC roots. While the traditionalists, especially those who are retiring, need to trust the newer generations that they will do their best to keep the VC afloat. Even if you have doubt, just keep an open mind. Guide, not take control.

As for modernists/new generations, we are at an unfortunate time where the VC, in my opinion, is at an all-time low. It is our turn to do what we can to keep the VC thriving. Be inspired by the older generations, make your own resources, craft your own communities, and never stop fighting for what you believe. If I had ever listened to the people who told me Project V would never pick up and I should let this optimism die, I would not be where I am here today. And most importantly, we would not have all the hope Project V has given to people.

This is where I ask you, what do you believe can be done to break this cycle?