In the last series of posts on this subject, one of our contributors mentioned the occasionally heard complaint that reenactors glorify war. Probably most folks in the hobby regard this as being unfair and misguided and slough it off as a as another example of ignorance on the part of the general public. This is probably accurate enough as far as it goes, but how do you respond to this sort of thing? It would be easy to say something sarcastic and move on to the next visitor who might be actually interested in what you are demonstrating. But if we are trying to educate the public, shouldn’t we at least make some kind of constructive response that might nudge some of these critics out of their knee-jerk attitude? I don’t think any serious living historian actually glorifies war. Wars happen and we portray people who in one way or another, get caught up in them. The impact on history and consequently, nations and people, is often huge. There are all kinds of reasons for remembering these people, their cultures and their times.
At the Old Bedford Village living history in August, I found myself giving my presentation to a young well-dressed yuppie lady who seemed very critical of the concept of living history. ‘How many reenactors are veterans?’ she asked. I hazarded a guess based on what I knew about our group. ‘I’m surprised they would want to continue to do this.’ she sniffed, and moved on to the next display, frowning all the way. I don’t know her personal story, but she didn’t give any evidence of being associated with the military herself. She seemed to be one of those folks who just resent everything associated with military subjects and just wish they would go away. (Makes me wonder why she paid to get into OBV for the event). She kind of caught me off guard, so I didn’t get to get into the whole area of memorializing the bravery and sacrifices of the historic people we portray. I don’t know if she would have bought it anyway.
I have a friend who is a bit on the blond and ditzy side, who occasionally gives me the devil for being so interested in what she calls ‘death and destruction’ and I call ‘history.’ “Why do you want to think about that stuff?” she says. “You are right”, I say, ” We should have let the Nazis win WWII. “That’s not what I mean,” she says, “You don’t have to dwell on it.” “Oh, I say, “We should just forget about all the men and women who gave up everything to beat the bad guys?” “You’re just being difficult!”
She may be right about me being difficult (not that I would ever do that), but it is tough to be logical with someone who isn’t even trying to reciprocate.
True believers, of whatever persuasion, don’t make good listeners. The best we can probably do is try to educate the ones who do have an open mind. So my question to you, dear readers, is this: Have you dealt with this particular issue, and how do you recommend fielding such charges? (I suspect there is more than one way to skin this cat.)
Leave a Reply