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