Well, I heard the National Public Radio report on the Slave
          Auction reenactment at colonial williamsburg, which was
          essentially an interview with the director of African
          American programs there (I think that was something like her
          title.) She also played a pregnant slave in the reenactment.
          She was an obviously earnest and thoughtful woman, who said
          that the experience of playing the slave was life
          transforming for her, and she described how all the feelings
          "past and future" were suddenly in her. It sounded like a
          kind of mystical experience for her.
 
          She certainly made a very compelling case that this
          reenactment was not trivializing the "african american
          holocaust," but instead was paying respect to this story
          which is not always clearly understood. It sounds as though
          the audience was kind of stunned by the power of the
          presentation, as they were generally completely quiet. The
          protesters were relatively few in number, it was reported.
 
          The interviewer asked her how african american history was
          portrayed at Williamsburg "10 or 20" years ago. She replied
          that 20 years ago, there was simply no representation of a
          community that occupied the settlement (40% of the
          settlement, 50% of the town). All in all, I think her case
          was very well presented, and I was convinced that it was a
          good thing.
 
          It kind of reminds me of the reaction in some circles to
          Schindler's List. I haven't gone to see the movie for
          various reasons (like I've only seen 2 movies in as many
          years since I have 2.5 yr old twins...), but also because I
          have always had such nightmares about the holocaust that I
          think it might be too harrowing to watch. Many people who
          were involved in the 1935-44 period in Europe also felt that
          the film trivialized the reality.
 
          Anyway, I say bravo for the Williamsburg people's courage,
          and the women who was responsible for it presented the case
          with candor and conviction.
 
 
          Eric Siegel
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