Freaks in Eureka! (So, what else is new?)

A band of merry freaks, the "999 Eyes," showed up to Chelsea's June 25. Though the show was not widely advertised, the house was packed to the rafters with an appreciative audience who, by all accounts, count the freaks as cool.

And why not? In many quarters, people who are "different" (read: people who are not white, slender, culturally attractive, heterosexual, rich, able-bodied and young) have had to make their way and reclaim their beauty in spite of, or perhaps because of, what makes them different. It is cool to become strong, confident, centered, wise and loving in a culture that tries to suppress or oppress you because you don't fit the norm.

But those who don't -- and never will -- fit the norm do a balancing act (no pun intended on the circus-history of freak shows) to present themselves as beautiful and cool without tipping over into the exploitation arena of becoming "exotic" (as in, "Wonder what it would be like to ...." well, you know).

999 Eyes "celebrates genetic diversity." Even though they bill themselves as "politically un-correct," they follow a long tradition of marginalized and oppressed groups: putting themselves out there in public view, risking disdain to celebrate and educate people about what makes them not only unique, but human. And there's a curious phenomenon in our society among the politically correct: it becomes "cool" to hang out with marginalized people. So that begs the question: If this person were not a member of a group whose star has risen in the politically correct sky of diversity, would you think they were cool? Would you seek them out? Would you want to hang out with them? And if not, why not?

These are uncomfortable questions to ask yourself. What if you're just as shallow for overly accepting someone because of their group status as for not accepting them at all because of it?

All that said, the 999 Eyes put on a great show. Not only did they pay tongue-in-cheek homage to carnie freak shows of bygone eras with their Vaudeville-style costuming and acts, they educated the audience about the history of freaks (they make a very convincing case for what's on Egyptian papyrus) and the freak shows. They also talked about how social reformers banned the shows because they thought it just wasn't right to exploit people like that, which put freaks out of work and made it nearly impossible for them to make a living.

But the fact that they came to Eureka shouldn't surprise anyone. Where better for the freaks to come than Eureka, "where the misfits fit"?

Here's a few highlights from the show, with thanks to my husband, who edited this video: