Should certain re-enactment groups be banned?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph....olocaust-victims.html

It is obvious that asking a Jewish couple to act out the roll as Holocaust victims would be totally wrong, but should certain uniforms be banned in case they cause offence?

Why these re-enactment groups choose to dress up and take part in these re-enactments is yet another question, but I suppose they do attract audiences.

But ban one,and where does it end, ban the Sealed Knot lot, in case it offends certain Royalists or Puritans?

Ban re-enactments of the Battle of Waterloo in case it offends the French?



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[sp1814]

By the way - here's a question...

You know historical re-enactment societies generally recreate famous battles? Well, exactly what was this sociert re-enacting???

[Mosaic]

To bring a bit of understanding about the event - the railway has been lovingly saved and is run by volunteers who give their time. They have jazzed up their annual shindig by introducing a kind of Brief Encounter theme, because dressing up is good fun, good for the crowds and attracts a niche audience as well as families.
Therein lies the problem - it also has attracted a small number of troublemakers who are fully aware that their gear will cause upset. Its hard for the organisers to police all areas and deal with them.
But you are correct, they need to stop this neo-nazi element from showing up - maybe we could offer practical suggestions on how they can do this 'on the day'?

[emmie]

sp, ok how is this, have a jungle themed party, and ask some black people to dress up as slaves, that wouldn't go down to well would it. If you think that is rather extreme, then perhaps that is how some might view having fat tw*ats parading around as Nazis.

[Baldric]

I think is a case of thoughtlessness and stupidity on the part of those dressed as Nazis in the same way as it was when Prince Harry dressed up for that party.

[emmie]

take the miscreants to Auschwitz, or if they can't do that show some of the harrowing footage of bodies being loaded into the ovens. That might make them have second thoughts.

[Mosaic]

Em, reign it in a bit.
Nobody asked anyone to cause offence at this event - these people have deliberately chosen to exploit the weak points of a volunteer-run event.
BTW what's being fat got to do with the adult debate?

[emmie]

sp, no one seems to know what they are supposed to be doing, except making fools of themselves and offending others.

[anotheoldgit]

I once attended a Steam Rally, and there was a WW2 re-enactment group on display there, complete with their Nazi emblem tracked vehicles, there was also an American GI enactment group with their Wiliys Jeeps and other vehicles.

No one seemed to be offended that day, in fact they attracted a huge amount of interest.

[humbersloop]

I don't remember how strongly Nazis featured in Brief Encounter....

[andy-hughes]

I actually think it is more sinister than that Baldric.

The notion of a Nazi uniform confers a sense of social power and attention being focused on the wearer that would otherwise be absent.

It therefore falls to inadequate individuals whose concept of the feelings of stranger is dangerously warped, or even absent, to want to march around dressed as a section of history that everyone, including the nation concerned, regard as a blot on humanity.

The station are at fault for giving these individuals a platform for their odious posturing. A notice advising that anyone wearing any German uniform from any era would result in the police being called would have soon sorted out the situation.

[Mosaic]

No, don't think they did Humbersloop. Which was kinda what I posted.

[emmie]

Brief Encounter was a love story, nothing to do with these people.

[emmie]

Andy i totally agree.

[humbersloop]

I was agreeing with you mosaic.

[Mosaic]

(climbs off high horse and begs Humbers pardon) why not have a look at their website - I've posted the 'about' page just to illustrate how completely depndent on volunteers they are:
http://www.eastlancsr...y.org.uk/departments/

[humbersloop]

no offence taken mosaic. :-)

[naomi24]

No, I don't think any re-enactment should be banned - or the wearing of any uniform. We can't - and shouldn't - attempt to erase history however distasteful.

[andy-hughes]

naomi - this is not about erasing history, it is about the presentation of history in an inappropriate fashion in an inappropriate setting - which has nothing to do with the importance of remembering history, which everyone would agree is vital to our culture and future.

[andy-hughes]

Mosaic - I have quickly scanned the page you posted, and I can't seem to see where it says the bit about volunteers being welcome to indulge their own woeful ego-trips by wandering about the place pretending to be Nazis and looking like idiots in the process.

I fail to see how anyone could conclude that voluteering to assist on a railway somehow qualifies you to parade your dodgy fantasies in public - there is no obvious connection as far as I can see.

[cathfromsaron]

to educate in schools? yes

to strut around in nazi costume for no reason? no thanks