Politics is an Ugly Thing
Some of you know by now that I am no longer part of the 49th. Some are learning this fact just now as you read this. I have been nice and silent about this situation, but now I am going to speak my mind.
The facts of my departure are simple. I told the unit, via a submitted article to the newsletter at the start of 2006, that we were moving into the New Year and it was time to leave the old uniform coat behind and to strive for authenticity. This change was PREVIOUSLY APPROVED 2 years ago by the soldiers in an open meeting and voted on by the general membership. Thus my statements were based on decisions made by the membership and NOT an invention of mine. The reasons to make the changes were based on the constant loss of good members who wanted to belong to a realistic Civil War Reenactor unit. With Manassas coming up, and if we are to attend as a blended unit, our coat would finally have to be scrapped.
The coat was not the only issue as I also addressed our general erosion of enthusiasm for the hobby and an appearance issue in camp. All of these facts had been talked about by the board and membership, kicked around and discussed at countless meetings. We all knew both in discussion and print that these changes were coming. My email also stated we had a good crew and needed to make changes. This was said while not singling out a single person for fault. No politics here, just plain facts.
When I made this statement of the obvious problems and solutions, elements of the 49th, who object to any change in the state of things, pushed back with a vengeance. My email was twisted and an active campaign was launched not only to stop my comments, but to also silence ANY voice that wanted change. Any communications or views I had were censored and cut, without any approval or consultation with me from the newsletter. Anyone supporting me was attacked and called “stupid”.
Who are these members? The people who led this attack stay at home, seldom are part of the active membership, are never there when we need logistical help, dress in modern clothing at events and never carry a musket. They know how to tell how things should be done but do nothing to help when needed.
To the guys who contacted me and adhered to the rules, I apologize for the personal attacks of these people, and I thank you for the support. I further apologize to anyone who for some reason did not pick up on the fact that the email was saying that your appearance was OK and that we wanted to look for future improvement. Since my comments were edited and never shared by the crusaders, you never would have known of my thoughts.
Some were uneasy with my comments as an attack on their personal impression even though they are perfectly fine. Again no one was singled out in my statement. I have emailed those people personally, and all are just fine. Those people are the leaders by example and again, if they feel slighted, I am sorry, but you need to read the message again. I asked we change and improve where you can. Lead if you are correct. That was the message. Those who got the message are leaders. Those who argued with it are the ones that need change and are dragging the 49th into the gutter.
As for the few who can’t change, they missed the point entirely. They were told that we expected them to be Reenactors in a Reenacting unit. Is that some sort of odd concept? This is their obligation to look right, act right and to be authentic. What was good in 1974 is not good enough in 2006. Deal with that and don’t make excuses. I have pictures or Reenactors dressed in khaki armed with WWII M1 rifles reenacting Manassas. Just because they did it them does not mean its OK now.
Politics has been the bane of this hobby. It decides where you go and whom you fight. Some seek personal boosts to the ego by seeking rank or command. All of us who do work in the 49th know this all too well and hate it with a passion. We avoid politics and we are open to all voices.
There
are no politics involved when asking a Reenactor unit to be a Reenacting unit by
looking like one.
Politics occur when individuals, with self-centered goals fail to see the benefit to all and seek to drag everyone to their level.
The politics of this whole thing has been created by the few who will not change and are unwilling to let the majority be what they are supposed to be, reenactors. In this case, they want you at their level, thus the unrealistic attacks on myself and other members.
My goal in all the years of being with the 49th was to grow members either by encouragement and / or through this website. Regretfully, I see no other answer than to go. While the departure of these self centered individuals would make the changes easier, it would force me into personal confrontation with people I know and like as friends. This I will not do. That is the reason I am shutting the site down as well as my membership in the 49th. I wish the 49th well. I am not leaving the hobby. I will be seeking out a new unit that has a level of professionalism and authenticity that the 49th once had, but has since lost. With all those interested in achieving a higher level of involvement and still believe in the hobby, I now take my leave of the unit.
Jim Hazen