Hi All:

    As a member of two different 'minority groups', I find
the notion of a so-called "politically correct" version of
reality sickening.
    In many cases, the participants celebrated by a monument
are unknown.  Most monuments, as another article (by
Kimmelman, forwarded by Indigo) indicates, are not erected
until long after the event(s) unfolded.  By that point,
truth gets clouded.  That monuments are seldom historically
accurate implies, sadly that our society values and chooses
to commemorate falsehood over truth.  [Should we accept
that?]
    Now is an inappropriate time to debate the 'subjectivity
of truth' as, in this case, everyone knows who raised that
flag.  Let the monument be truthful in representing the
three who performed this act.  If people are offended by a
realistic -- not "politically correct" -- monument, they
ought to be shown a photograph of the event.  That's
undeniably true.
    Additionally, there will be no negative result to
African-American or Hispanic firefighters in representing
the truth.  Three firefighters, who happen to be Caucasian,
performed this patriotic act.  It's an open and shut case .
. . clouded, as is so often the case, by those who wish to
be "politically correct."

Sincerely,

Jay Heuman, Visitor & Volunteer Services Coordinator
Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68102
342-3300 (telephone)     342-2376 (fax)      www.joslyn.org


  -----Original Message-----
  From: Museum discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Piper
Severance
  Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2002 7:33 pm
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Subject: Re: Bronze statue a moving tribute or PC run
amok?


          While it is easy to see PC run amok in the
creation of this statue, we must remember that images such
as this are seldom historically accurate (at least not in
that way). The image of the flag raising on Iwo Jima was
staged and restaged. It was entered into the popular lexicon
and been manipulated endlessly and yet for most Americans it
retains an authenticity.
          While I personally find the reworked statue a bit
sickening, it reveals far more about our nation and our
society during the time of tragedy then the photo does.

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