RichmondLiberty.org

by Robert Russo

Being employed in the museum trade I have sometimes had the privilege to design exhibits and meet true professionals who have given their lives to studying the past (a job no one does for profit or political advancement), so it is their opinion I wonder most about when there is news of a museum in Tallahassee, FL displaying the rebel flag hanging from a gallows entitled "the proper way to hang a confederate flag". The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science has refused to take down this defacement of the flag despite public outrage, saying its purpose is to "promote dialogue and conversation". Robert Hurst of the Sons of Confederate Veterans replies "There are some people who have great talent, and they rely on that talent to be successful. There are others who don't have great talent, and they have to rely on a gimmick.".*

It's a fair bet if this happened in Richmond it would be taken down, as our own Museum of the Confederacy is choosing to drop the name of the very subject it exhibits. This "comfortizing" of history follows in the footsteps of creationists cutting references to evolution, Native Americans objecting to the display of personal items, and of course atheists removing any signs of religion. I'm reminded of a Doonesbury strip in which the George W. Bush presidential library will house a "belief tank" ("like a think tank only without the doubt").**

The sciences have been reduced to political tools manipulated for the hateful purposes people have against each other. As interest in science and the arts diminishes a provider is forced to ally itself with something that sells. Without purpose there is no study, so the question is who gets to decide what that purpose will be? Science is political. I myself have called mainstream scientists a monopoly, but when it comes to funding they are small prey for the true priorities of society.

I've spoken before of my young friend who likes snakes, knives and guns, all because in his world what matters is impressing your peers. Every living thing seems to evolve toward this posturing. Dominant animals in the wild develop excessive traits and behavior to fight and entice each other instead of survival skills. Writers and actors say "it's not what you know, it's who you know", and young people furthering their knowledge only grow to learn the ever-growing importance of face. It is no wonder then that the thirst for knowledge has been replaced by a lust to control the information. There is no moral majority as there once was, not that we libs don’t object to that concept, but people of all creeds and opinions are capable of getting along if there is simply good will. If you don’t like something, don’t look at it. The major cities of the south will divide between those that encourage controversy and those that fear it, and not for any good reason like the city’s political leaning or the population of one group over another, just the question of whose attitude will be the next sensation. I read this story at http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/confederate-flag-exhibit-ignites-uproar/20070317223509990002?ncid=NWS00010000000001.

*http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/confederate-flag-exhibit-ignites-uproar/20070317223509990002?ncid=NWS00010000000001
**http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/index.html?uc_full_date=20070128

Question of the Week: Do you believe it is more unifying to display all cultures so they are represented equally, or to remove culture from public view so it represents no one? Send your opinions to henrico@richmondliberty.org.

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