Thank you all for responding to my query re. wearing red. I was interested
to read most responses save the vituperative attacks from right-wing zealots
with e-mail addresses of “Petronet.” I wonder, is there some connection
there? My query was motivated by the desire to see the possible geographic
distribution of this e-mail. Unfortunately, I received no data to help with
that original question. I received a number of off-list responses that seem
to support the veracity of the original tradition and additional data that
is both interesting and enlightening. Of particular interest were
recommendations for contacts and additional research opportunities.

I am glad that some felt that the question posed was appropriate for a
museum site, and feel sad for those whose definition of the museum world is
so narrow as not to allow folkloric questions (I did pose a similar query on
the folklore list) . It may be of interest to some, that folklore museums,
particularly “folklife” museums, exist in our country and are quite popular
overseas, especially Europe; therefore, folklore questions automatically
fall under the purview of a museum list, just as art, history, etc..

Although intrigued by the suggestion, I am not ready to relegate the
narrative regarding the wearing of red and red, white, and blue clothing to
the category of “urban legends.” And I am definitely not ready to cede any
expertise to website such as snopes and the like as authorities on “urban
legends.” In general, the term has been grossly overused and misapplied, and
in practical terms has become the equivalent of “old wife’s tales.” It has
very limited usefulness in determining genre classifications, if for no
other reason than that Jan Brunvand (whom I know for more than twenty
years)—the greatest popularizer of the term and the tales themselves, is
self-contradictory in his definitions. If anyone is seriously interested in
legend study, I would highly recommend the book by Linda Degh called “The
Legend.” In general, any book by Linda Degh would be authoritative and
educational.

Thanks for the responses and the suggestions for further study.


Cheers, -Nicholas






-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Candace Perry
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2004 4:14 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Adaptation of a tradition?

I agree with the urban legends thing, generally becuase there's a some sort
of moral lesson/call to arms being backed up by a "fact."
It's like the Mr. Rogers was a former Navy SEAL or Special OPS guy tall
tale...I won't elaborate in respect of that great man...but some of you may
know it.
Candace Perry
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