Pat

A NAACP group in Louisiana has come out for making Civil War re-enactments illegal in Louisiana and there are stirrings that the national NAACP might follow suit. Is this a good idea? Any thoughts from Fodors posters would be appreciated.

Cindy

A ban would probably violate the First Amendment guarantee of free speech.

X

My family has been in the South since before the Revolutionary War. My mother's family had more money than my dad's family. She grew up with an old woman who had been a slave living in a small house in the back yard. Mary was simple minded (in other words, mentally retarded). The change in political structure didn't change my family's obligation towards the woman.

Slavery was not a good thing. But let's keep in mind a few things. Slavery is still on-going in parts of Africa. Yes, slavery was more prevalent in the South. But it was Yankee ships that transported the slaves. And it was other black Africans who captured and sold their fellow Africans into slavery. There's enough blame to share among EVERYONE!

That said and off my chest. The question is: Doesn't anyone read their history books? The Civil War was not fought over slavery. It was fought over STATES RIGHTS!

dan woodlief

The Civil War was fought over states rights, but ask yourself, would the South have gone to war if not for slavery? Slavery was the key "states right" in the conflict. Anyway, to set the stage for my own opinion, I am a Southerner, and all ancestors of whom I am aware fought for the Confederacy. I am quite liberal in my political leanings and was all for removing the Confederate flag from the SC capitol. However, as someone deeply interested in history, I do get quite annoyed with those who try to deny the Civil War happened, which the NAACP would seem to be doing in this case. I have been to a Civil War reenactment and found it quite interesting, especially in learning about the lives of the soldiers and for photo ops. There were two sides in the war, so are they opposed to any recognition of the war's historical interest, or should the Southern troops carry a different flag? I think the reenactments do serve a purpose by teaching and creating interest in arguably the most important episode in our nation's history. I have known one Southern reenactor who goes out there somewhat imbued with "the cause," but I have a feeling most just do it out of an interest in that period of history.

X

You're right. Most of the people who participate in reinactments would be just as comfortable on one side of the field as the other. THey get their kick out of the history involved.

I'm a moderate. Am not ashamed of my ancestry. It made sense to have the Confederate Flag displayed during the Civil War Centenial. But after the observance, it should have been removed. THat should happened almost 40 years ago.

One way or another it's ridiculous to ban reenactments. Hey, my daughter just went to a play about the Underground Railroad. It should be a ban on all or nothing.

sceptic

History, Smistory. I've known a couple of "men" that loved to participate in these types of "reinactmants". They were overgrown little boys who loved to dress up and play soldier. Period.

dan woodlief

Sceptic, I am sure that is true for some. I am sure people do it for different reasons: history, an identification with the Confederacy, a love for playing with guns, or it just seems like something fun to do. Afterall, why do people play paintball? I think you would find, however, that most of those involved are real Civil War history buffs, whether that interest came before or after their involvements in reenactments. Just a guess. I know something about reenactments, but I haven't been in one or met that many people who have. It certainly is an interesting phenomenon. It is quite amazing how many people participate in some of these things. Lots and lots of women participate in the encampments too.

H.H.J.

Just because some women participate doesn't mean that it isn't rather juvenile to do this. Re-enacting history is one thing, but you just don't see a lot of re-enactments of legislation, court decisions, discoveries of cures for things, etc. Just battles. And it's not accidental that re-enacting battles having to do with states' rights is so popular -- it's all the pre-adolescent "you're not the boss of me" "let's have a club" mentality.

I think the NAACP is wrong on this one, however. Didn't they see "Glory"? Would they have prohibited that had it been done in person, in "real time"? I don't like who does the re-enactments in Louisiana any more than they do, nor the real emotions that run behind the games, but it really is a free-expression issue. Next could easily be prohibitions on re-enacting MLK's I Have a Dream speech on the Lincoln Memorial.

Gee

For what it's worth, I thought the Dutch bought the first slaves over here.

As for the re-enactors-why don't you see them reenacting World War I and II? I personally know someone who is involved in this and he is definitely an immature moron.

Faye

And I have a friend who was born in Florida, and is a re-enactor for the Union. He is also an author of numerous books on the Civil War. In numerous conversations with him, I have learned that he has a fascination with the era and this is simply a hobby for him. Like woodworking, chess, golf, etc. Good grief, talk about intolerance!

dan woodlief

I think there are actually reenactments of other wars. I was looking at Civil War photo sites not long ago and ran into a guy who does WWII and the Civil War. I also saw a site that mentioned Civil War recreations of speeches by a woman from some temperance society, and I have actually seen recreations of the Lincoln-Douglas debates on tv (at their original locations), so not all are battles. Is there a real difference between Civil War reenactors and those who dress up at colonial Williamsburg and other historic sites? Just curious about opinions on this. I am not trying to defend the reenactors, but keep in mind that a lot of them come from Northern states and represent Union troops. There are also lots in California. The Civil War is a fascinating time period for people all over the world. Certainly it was a very sad time in many ways, but it is hard to find a more complex and stimulating topic in American history.

Sara

Here in New England, Revolutionary War encampments and reenactments are more common. A lot of people get into this in a big way, and everything they use must be authentic to the period, even down to their underwear, for the more zealous (and must be hand made, using only the technology that was available then!). Most towns around here (in Easten Massachusetts) have a Minuteman contingent that marches in parades on Patriot's Day (a State Holiday, April 19, the anniversary of the battle at the North Bridge in Concord), July 4th, and other holidays, and they try to be historically accurate.

And then there are groups like the Society for Creative Anachronism, the New England Role Playing Organization (NERO), Realms, and probably others, that are into recreating medieval and renaissance societies, complete with swordfights, jousts, banquets - some of their members forge chainmail, swords, andsuits of armor, and create really beautiful, authentic clothing for both men and women. There is a Renaissance Fair, King Richard's Faire, in Carver, MA, that takes place every weekend between the beginning of September and the end of October, which emulates a renaissance village, not terribly accurately, but it's a lot of fun.

I don't know much about Civil War reenactments, but, clearly, interest in recreating historical events is not limited to that era.

Larry

Just some thoughts....
To the person who says you only see reenactments of battles: untrue. I have been to several reenactments of the signing of the declaration of independence, the first continental congress, etc.
As to this whole thing being a "free speech issue", I think the point the NAACP makes is that if you want to glory the Confederacy by a reenactment of a battle, do it on private property, and not tax-payer supported land (i.e., most state/national park battlefields).

xxx

What the NAACP wants is the obliteration of white history. Furthermore, they want whites to live their lives in abject shame of who we were, who we are and who we might become unless we conform to their view of life. Not for me, folks. Long live the Old Republic.

Larry

Sorry for continuing this off-travel thread, but isn't it ironic that the above poster isn't ashamed of the "old republic", but won't post a name and e-mail? Too funny!

Jeanette

When in Rome, I have seen enactments of gladiators etc. In many Midwest colleges there are reenactments of many other eras and issues. We have one in real time where Adam Smith, Ben Franklin and Karl Marx, among others, debate economics. They tramp around campus, eat lunch or teach class as if they were the historical character. The Civil War had many causes besides states' rights and slavery. There was an industrial and cultural disparity based on economics that still echoes. More Americans died than in all the other wars combined- and it happened not only because of the terrible reality of slavery but because people felt disenfranchised. I don't particularly like reenacting battles myself, but I sure hope that we don't start censoring. As a newer American with no ancestor here before 1930 and with my father coming here when he was 12, I have no personal ax to grind. What scares me is when people act as if the current "correct" way to think is the ONLY way to think, or else they will forbid or outlaw it. That is our first and most valuable freedom. Where I travel, what I read, and what I choose to do for recreation, in a better world, would not be government's business. If they do not harm public property, or persons- what right does any third party have to be a nay sayer in a republic? Read the constitution.

Many people do not put their real name on posts because of the name calling and mindset that can only villify what they disagree with. And this definitly does relate to travel because in the Central and Southern USA these battlefields and reenactments are huge draws. Many, many people are interested in dress, housing, and general modes of living in recent USA history.

Snidely

Why do people want to ignore, ban or rewrite history? Should we all ban things that we don't agree with throughout history? Should hats with X's be banned from public attire? Many brave young men died in this civilian war. In my opinion it is assinine to bitch and gripe about actual events that took place in this great country of ours. The Confederate flag is already being disallowed throughout this country. Since this is also a reality, shouldn't all flags and banners be removed from public display? Where does this stupidity stop?

Why

I don't understand why we have to apologize for something that happened 200 years ago, not only to the victims of slavery but the Indians, Hawiians etc.

And why is history getting watered down or rewritten to appease a few select groups? Have you read high school history texts lately? It is shocking!

Mr. Rat

My ancestors were Anglo-Saxon serfs 1500 years ago. I want an apology from the Queen Mum on down to Wills and Harry. Viking raiders probably raped some female ancestors of mine in the 900s. I want an apology from the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal families, Bjorn Borg, the rock and roll group Abba and Dante Culpepper and Randy Moss of the Minnesota Vikings. I want some apologies NOW damn it!!!!!!!

Randy

Mr Rat:
I sincerely apologize for the rapine perpetrated by vikings, but mostly I apologize for our collapse in the playoffs.