IT’S HISTORY LIKE IT OR NOT

There is a tendency on occasion to sweep unpleasant happenings under the rug as if it never happened.  Out of sight out of mind is often adopted.  While past happenings may be unpleasant it is important to capture the past, analyze the event, evaluate how we can better handle similar situations and then evoke change into our society.

Reenactments are fun to either view or be a participant.  A reenactment is an activity where participants dress in historic uniforms to recreate a historical event.  Participants are usually amateurs and not professional actors. However, most are extremely historically knowledgeable and they all desire to let history be told in a factual manner.

While history can be painful it is still our history.  Over the past several years we have seen statues torn down or hidden because it offends someone.  If a person visits the  American Museum of Natural History the presence of Theodore Roosevelt is within the walls of the museum.  Not only was he a President of the United States, a winner of the Congressional of Honor and a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize; Roosevelt was a naturalist, a conservationist and a humanitarian.  His contributions are around the museum but one glaring omission is prevalent. 

There used to be a large statue of the president sitting atop his horse.  On each side clutching his legs are two children.  One is an American Indian and the other is a black child.  The figure is intended to represent the benevolence of the president and depict his effort to protect all citizens of a great nation.  Unfortunately, during the riots several years ago the statue was viewed as a symbol of white supremacy and an American president dominating the minorities of a fledgling nation.  How sad that instead of removing the statue and sending it to North Dakota it was instead used as a teaching moment.  A moment to help heal a needy country, remove stereotypes and reinforce the need to show love and not oppression.

Reenactments are not new.  The Romans used reenactments in the amphitheaters and the great coliseum to show how battles had been fought. One movie, Gladiator, had a scene where the battle involving the Roman General Scipio at the battle of Carthage was reenacted in the Roman Colosseum.   Reenactments continued through the centuries and by the early 1800s sea battles were recreated. 

Americans enjoyed reenactments to a point that within 1 year of General Custer’s Last Stand a reenactment was being performed.  Like other major conflicts, America’s Civil War provided many opportunities to have reenactments.  At the 50^th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg over 50,000 Union and Confederate veterans attended the reunion of the battle.  Pickett’s Charge and other parts of the Battle were reenacted.  This helped to provide understanding of the greatest battle of the Civil War as both Union and Rebel forces fought in mock fashion.

Enactments of one type or the other can spur conflict that have ultimately ended up in the American judicial system.  In Shreveport in 2019 the Sons of the American Confederacy submitted an application to march in the Old Soldiers Day Parade.  The group was granted approval to participate but without displaying the Confederate Battle Flag.  Suits were filed by the group and the 1^st and 14^th Amendments were identified as justification to display the flag.  In this case the display of the flag was deemed as not justified.  This is a drastic consequence of an enactment but highlights how a teaching moment of understanding both sides of an issue has been lost.

As the world has matured and we have more insight into key issues, why not hold a non-emotional round table discussion where specific aspects of a reenactment can be discussed and perhaps a better understanding can be gained. 

In the meantime, lets take the time to see what it was like to be a member of a Union or Southern unit during the Civil war.  Then, lets stand back and watch the two armies go to war.  This can be witnessed at the battle of D’arBonne Landing at the Lake D’arBonne State Park this week.  Camps will be set up on March 8^th, with battles taking place on March 9^th and 10^th.  An added aspect to the re-enactment will be the performance of The Last Confederate Widow at 12:00 noon on March 9^th at the pavilion adjacent to the battlefield.  Let us hope that we walk away with a respect for the two armies as the two different and warring militaries find a mutual respect for each other’s sacrifices.