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No to PC

Posted by Rob Mears on Wed Sep 18, 2002 03:59:06 AM

In reply top Authenticity vs. Political Correctness posted by Ryan Keough on Tue Sep 17, 2002 10:00:26 PM

It's not the artwork itself that is the problem. Ultimately it's what each individual projects onto the artwork that culminates into their making a personal quandary out of the situation. I find the whole act most interesting as it's far more telling of those who choose to be overtly judgemental of what is ultimately nothing more than the truth of artistic expression borne in a time of war. In my opinion, authentic artwork applied to these aircraft is just as profound of an educational aid as are the planes themselves as long as the owner/operators see and respect it as such. Personalized artwork was a reflection of where the "rubber met the road" in the minds and hearts of the soldiers of the time. If you've painted this B-24 to reflect that fact, it would be pathetic to now subject it to censorship for fear of 'reduced snocone sales' or the like. There are psychological and sociological lessons to be learned that would ultimately be lost on far too many contemporary witnesses to past truths.

If the shock value demands an explaination of why such things were allowed on military aircraft during that time of war (and why they are important now) then so be it. I think those men who've died to help maintain our personal liberties have earned the right to have all responsible free men take five minutes to explain to their child that war is not always a 'Disney moment'. The array of (authentic) artwork on these planes is a direct reflection of the mindesets of men under extreme stress in the reality of war. These little reminders are the building blocks of understanding that might help keep one's children from having to unnecessarily endure the battlefields of the future.

In 3rd Grade I was taken to a nude art display at the downtown art gallery as part of a field trip. It was my first overtly uncensored experience with adult nudity in many forms and it made a lasting impression to say the least. It was one of my first real indoctrinations into the adult world and it required responsibility on my part - that was the unspoken lesson of the day. I think the lesson is different in this instance, but no less valuable. The trick is tact in the expression of the lesson.

People shouldn't be afraid to be challenged with new reckonings, and definately not on a trivial level such as this. Keep the "Dragon & His Tail" - just add a portable display for the airshows that delves into the concept, scope, detail, and diversity of WWII nose art, its cultural and social symbolism and signification, and the role it played in helping to balance the psyche of men who were suffering through a vivid "death for a cause" reality on a daily basis. Free citizens have earned the privelege of higher learning because of these men's sacrifices - so give it to them. Any sacrifice they are making is negligible in contrast. Next time someone feels uncomfortable because their kid has just been exposed to a painting that depicts female breasts, have them imagine the artist being blasted to bits for the preservation of his own children's freedom. That's the hard truth surrounding the mistique planes, and the reason for our fascination. It's also the reason they haven't been relegated into humdrum extinction like so many obscure Cold War era civilian transports.

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