What It Means to be Klingon
By: Thought-Admiral K'Lay epetai K'Onor-Chang
Klingon Strike Force C in C

When Thought Admiral Kethas epetai-Rustadzh asked me to write an article on "What it means to be Klingon" for the IKF newsletter, I was honored and I accepted the opportunity almost immediately. Like most fans, I'd read my share of Star Trek books, I'd seen all the movies and series, and I was confident I knew what it meant to be a Klingon warrior. I could quote the Final Reflection, have attended dozens of conventions, once spent the entire electric bill money on a steel bat'leth, and have a room in our apartment devoted to Klingon memorabilia, games, weapons and books. Having been in fandom, in costume and in character frequently over the past decade, I was sure I could write a passable article on what it means to be Klingon, some of it even in tlhIngan Hol! It was only after I'd embraced the task and began to write that I realized there were hidden depths to the question, some of which I didn't have ready answers for.

I was fairly certain Kethas wasn't asking for a two dimensional answer on what Paramount thought a Klingon might act like, but rather on what it means for us to live the values portrayed in the Klingon culture, to describe the "Komerex" of how "being" Klingon affects not only our actions, but who we are as people. (Leave it to Thought-Admiral Kethas to ask the deep, complicated questions!)

To answer that, I think I've got to compare the basics of what I think epitomizes the Klingon culture, with what we've done, as Klingons, in fandom. First off, and the simplest to explain, Klingons are warlike and inclined to expand territory. We don't take insults lightly, we offend easily and stepping on the toes of others seems to be as natural as breathing. Worse, we're political, and tend to be both confrontational and volatile. That's all well and good for confronting Romulans, but it makes it harder to exist in harmony on Terra, and perhaps it explains why we've all run into Klingons and Klingon clubs who, in spite of a reputation for being an honor loving species, just can't get along with others. But hey, everyone has a few skeletons in the bulkhead, right? Most of make the attempt to respect even those who hold different beliefs, and failing that, can "agree to disagree" and let them go their way, without a blade in the back.

On the good side though, Klingons are also fiercely loyal to the members of their Line House, their Allies, their Empire and anyone else who has been given their protection. And it is in these endeavors, SuvwI'pu', that I think we tend to show the best side of what it means to be Klingon. Many Klingons and Klingon clubs that I am familiar with, for example, give their collective "protection" to the poor, giving time and money to a wide variety of charities. On a more personal level, our loyalty to our own manifests in the many ways Klingon clubs help their individual members. We may fight with each other and anybody else who throws down a gauntlet, but I have also seen Klingons in many different clubs, including my own, teach other "Klingons" to read....and write, known them to provide relocation help, emergency travel aid, job assistance and recommendations, and even temporary homes. I've seen them travel several states away to help others move, lend money and give money to members in need, with no contracts for repayment, give comfort to the dying and companionship to those who mourned afterwards, as well as provide a shoulder and a sympathetic ear for myriad problems, including health, financial, marital, abuse and other issues too numerous to mention. If our actions define us, then these actions surely define the best of what it means to be Klingon.

But finally, to be Klingon means that we must understand Ford's concept of the Komerex- Khesterex, and we must realize that the structure that does not grow, dies. And if we are to survive as Klingons, as a viable fan group, then we must continue to grow too, or die out. Some might say this is inevitable. (After all, how many Cylons do you see running around?) But I predict that we will adapt and continue to thrive. After all, we are KLINGON! Kai Kassai to us all.

Thought-Admiral K'Lay epetai K'Onor-Chang
Klingon Strike Force Commander in Chief
Klingon Strike Force High Command
tlhIngan HIvbeq ra'ghomquv