Dissertation on Re-enactment - a plea for aid!

[P. Clodius Secundus]

1) What gender are you?
Male

2) What is your age group?
Under 25
25-35
36-45
46-55
56-65
Over 65

3) What period do you portray?
Prehistoric (including Iron Age)
Roman
Dark Ages (post Roman – Saxon/Viking etc)
Medieval (1066 to 1485)
Tudor/Elizabethan (1485-1603)
English Civil War
American War of Independence
Napoleonic Wars
Victorian
First World War
Second World War
Post WWII
Other (specify)
American Civil War Union & Confederate
Also working on kit for Polish Hussars

4) What role do you play?
ordinary soldier when I can, NCO when I must

5) Why do you take part in living history activities? Which is the most important reason?
Hobby
Research
‘Live’ the past
Educate the public
A job
Other
All of the above except "A job". The last time I made a living "living" history was Desert Storm. In Civ War we tend to differentiate between Living History/Educational and re-enactments. Around home there aren't many big battles so I tend to focus on publilc interaction. At bigger national events I get selfish and focus on the "period rush".

6) Are potential ethical or moral issues something you would take into account when participating in an event?
When playing an Imperial Roman, Confederate, or German in one of the most nauseatingly politically correct gun hating self righteous states in my country there are always concerns or necessary compromises. Many schools don't allow weapons on campus. In that case I change my character into a field musician and bring fifes, drums, bugles, etc. It allows me to talk about the battles and the soldiers lives but at a little distance from the more violent aspects. I some ways it helps, especially with pre-teen kids. When I tell them that kids their age served as musicians in the thick of the battle and were killed and wounded too I have their undivided attention.

7) If yes, what issues would you consider? What is the most important?
Seen as glorifying war/violence
Violence as entertainment
Sensitive time/locality
Need for authenticity I won't let my own kids play with guns unless they're good replicas. Other…………………………………………………………………….

8) Which would be of more importance to you in an event?
Education Entertainment

9) At what point would you consider an event unethical or inappropriate?
Always unethical
Period too recent
The group/unit portrayed
The location
Violence too graphic
Violence with no educational purpose
Inauthentic display
Timing (e.g. during real war)
Never inappropriate
Other

10) Have you any other comments?

Thank you so much!

David

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