I recently received the message below from a Quaker friend. As a folklorist
I wonder if this is an adaptation of the older Scandinavian tradition, or a
new phenomenon. Has anyone else received this message, and if so, from what
source?
Cheers, -Nicholas

My name is Nadia Jensen and I have an idea for a quiet revolution.
> Please take 5 minutes to read my email, then help if you can:
> Here's some history behind this idea: When Norway was occupied by Germany
in 1940, Norwegian women began to knit RED caps for children as a way of
letting everyone know that they did not like what was happening in their
country, that they didn't like having their freedom taken away by the Nazis.
> My great aunt, Karin Knudson Myrstad, was one of the women who knit red
caps for her children and others. Similarly, in Denmark, women knit
red-white-and blue caps (colors of the Allies) for the very same reason.
> The result was that whenever Norwegians and Danes left their homes -- to
go to the store, to work, etc, they could see that THE MAJORITY opposed what
was going on in their country. As you know, both countries organized
effective Resistance efforts and changed history -- everything that happened
began simply by wearing red! (or the colors of the Allies, in Denmark).
> I believe, as many of us do, that at the very heart of our democracy is
our right to oppose certain policies of our government. Increasingly, our
government is redefining "freedom" in ways that make too many Americans
perceive that it is risky to oppose its policies -- and in particular,
current inroads about individual freedoms and policies in the U.S. and
abroad.
> However, many of us DO oppose what our government is doing to individual
rights -- and I have an idea that will allow all of us to recognize each
other very easily.
> SO... I have been thinking that it's time to take action in a way that is
effective and easy for all of us to do: Just wear red every Friday between
now and election day.
> Wear a little or a lot -- just be sure that when you leave your house to
go about your day -- to work, to school, to the store, to the gas station,
wherever you go in your daily routine -- that everyone who sees you will see
that you are wearing red because you believe in freedom and you don't agree
with our current administration's policies at home or abroad. I'm certain
that we'll see lots of us wearing red for freedom -- because WE ARE THE
MAJORITY. We just need a way to show each other who we are! Between now and
election day, ask everyone you know to wear red for "Freedom Fridays".
> I have already spread the word to friends and have had a very enthusiastic
response. This email has been forwarded around the country by many who
receive it - feel free to send it on to your friends and co-workers.
> --Nadia Jensen


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