Changing the names of bases named after Confederate officers? Removing the statues of Confederate heroes? I understand the motivation, for sure. If we were talking about Fort Himmler, Fort Goering, etc. I too wouldn’t want to be reminded of those who hated me and would take my life as they had the lives of my grandmother and aunts and millions of others of my people.
Added to that is the decision to remove Gone With the Wind from streaming services because the real South wasn’t portrayed honestly. An African-American film critic recently commented that while all the criticisms are correct, the amazingly high quality of the movie should precede its “problems.” The commentator also pointed out the same could be said about Leni Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will, which is believed to be one of the most powerful propaganda films ever produced, albeit propaganda for the Nazis. Instead of elimination, this film critic suggested very strong disclaimers at the beginning of those and other movies. Each could clearly state the reasons there is such controversy, a bit of the history and how the propaganda hid the truth of atrocities. Above all, it would preserve history; it would be a teaching/learning opportunity about racism, anti-Semitism, hatred, and a host of other subjects.
Those Confederate statues?
Perhaps placing them in a museum, a park, some one place that could be dedicated to focusing on the problem, would be the answer. Those less familiar with the history – and that includes more and more people nowadays – could be brought there. “These statues to heroes of the Confederacy were removed from their coveted places of honor, yet we encourage you to learn about that period of time and why it cast such a dark shadow on what otherwise are our values of justice and right” ….something like that.
Let me also state that now is NOT the time to do this under any circumstances.
I know there are those in our community who support the occupant in our White House yet do not support bigotry, violence, hatred that have created such divisions and turmoil in the past few years. Inciting those who do endorse negativity which, I believe, will happen even by the suggestion of erasing those things from our past, will inspire greater enthusiasm for those on all levels of government whose ideas of righteousness aren’t in the mold of the Judeo-Christian tradition. We don’t need that enthusiasm at this time; and if we waited years and years to mess with objectionable history, we can wait a few more months. Indeed, in my opinion, timing is – or can be – everything!
(Speaking of waiting…In the mid-1930s a Jew read that a publishing house in Berlin needed a proofreader, and he applied for the job. The foreman said, “We don’t employ Jews here. However, if you’ll agree to be baptized, I might make an exception in your case.” The applicant said, “Oh, no, I could never do that.” “Then get out,” demanded the foreman. “As long as I am alive no Jews will ever be employed by this firm.” The Jew replied, “Ok, I’ll wait.”)