I don’t see how that is so. Tradition is always in flux and transition
especially as technology changes underlying realities. For example, some narratives
that have been associated with sailing vessels have now become associated with
airplanes while some encounter tales with “angels” have evolved to tales about “encounters”
with UFO’s. As early as the 1930’s Jung published a monograph delineating this
phenomenon.
In the case I posted there are a number of interesting questions that
immediately come to mind: 1) Is the behavior described true—did Norwegians and
Danes actually have a protest dress code?; 2) If this tale is true, then the question
is: did the letter originate in Scandinavia or in the US, or even another
country?; 3) If the referenced custom is not true where and how did it
originate?
I think, that all these are important questions when we are
experiencing the internet phenomenon that has replaced the village square for
gossip and communication. Given the global reach of this list and its size I am
hoping that answers to the posed questions can be found.
Cheers, -Nicholas
-----Original
Message-----
From: Museum discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Ron Twellman
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2004 9:44
AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Adaptation of a
tradition?
Nicholas,
The first sentence of your response is at odds with the second.
RT
Ron Twellman, Curator of Collections
EAA AirVenture Museum
P.O. Box 3065
Oshkosh, WI 54903-3065
920-426-5917
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Nicholas Neylon
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2004 8:33
AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Adaptation of a
tradition?
Seems to me
like this is just another, far more creative attempt for frustrated
anti-Americans to spread their anti-war sentiments. Keep political
agendas at home, and not on a MUSEUM discussion list.
----- Original Message -----
To: [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
Sent:
Thursday, May 20, 2004 8:13 AM
Subject: Adaptation of a tradition?
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
=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information
about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
"help" (without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please
send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of
the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information
about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
"help" (without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please
send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of
the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).