05-30-2006, 05:30 PM
You never know how things like this play out. Then there might be claims that this was an attempt to justify past slavery in the US by saying "See there were white slaves in Rome." Some might claim a white person has no business portraying a slave because his ancestors weren't brought over here in chains. Some might see it as offensive as "black face" Vaudeville routines.
I just think slavery is the third rail of American culture. Perhaps it shouldn't be, but it is. In Europe this wouldn't be such a big deal. But here in the US? It needs careful consideration.
Since the Romans did not want slaves to publicly appear any different from other civilians, perhaps the best slave reenactment would be simply to reenact being a civilian. If you really want to wear chains then reenact being a criminal or a prisoner of war.
Exploding prejudices frequently explode in your face.
I just think slavery is the third rail of American culture. Perhaps it shouldn't be, but it is. In Europe this wouldn't be such a big deal. But here in the US? It needs careful consideration.
Since the Romans did not want slaves to publicly appear any different from other civilians, perhaps the best slave reenactment would be simply to reenact being a civilian. If you really want to wear chains then reenact being a criminal or a prisoner of war.
Exploding prejudices frequently explode in your face.
Quote:Would be wise to have only "white" slaves then. If you combine it with a "black" auxiliary (Moor with some sub-Saharan ancestry) or legionary ("yup, my family's from upper Egypt, Roman citizens since the divine Tiberius"), it would be a nice way of exploding traditional prejudices... :mrgreen:
>|P. Dominus Antonius|<
Leg XX VV
Tony Dah m
Oderint dum metuant - Cicero
Si vis pacem, para bellum - Vegetius
Leg XX VV
Tony Dah m
Oderint dum metuant - Cicero
Si vis pacem, para bellum - Vegetius
