Well, I heard the National Public Radio report on the Slave Auction reenactment at colonial williamsburg, which was essentially an interview with the director of African American programs there (I think that was something like her title.) She also played a pregnant slave in the reenactment. She was an obviously earnest and thoughtful woman, who said that the experience of playing the slave was life transforming for her, and she described how all the feelings "past and future" were suddenly in her. It sounded like a kind of mystical experience for her. She certainly made a very compelling case that this reenactment was not trivializing the "african american holocaust," but instead was paying respect to this story which is not always clearly understood. It sounds as though the audience was kind of stunned by the power of the presentation, as they were generally completely quiet. The protesters were relatively few in number, it was reported. The interviewer asked her how african american history was portrayed at Williamsburg "10 or 20" years ago. She replied that 20 years ago, there was simply no representation of a community that occupied the settlement (40% of the settlement, 50% of the town). All in all, I think her case was very well presented, and I was convinced that it was a good thing. It kind of reminds me of the reaction in some circles to Schindler's List. I haven't gone to see the movie for various reasons (like I've only seen 2 movies in as many years since I have 2.5 yr old twins...), but also because I have always had such nightmares about the holocaust that I think it might be too harrowing to watch. Many people who were involved in the 1935-44 period in Europe also felt that the film trivialized the reality. Anyway, I say bravo for the Williamsburg people's courage, and the women who was responsible for it presented the case with candor and conviction. Eric Siegel [log in to unmask]