Hypersensitive topics

ariel · 17th March 2009, 05:55 PM

Recently, a thread discussing a KKK sword was closed, because of its sensitive nature.
Understandably, some people are very sensitive to this part of American history, whereas there are some who espouse KKK views to this very day.
Personally, I have very little love for ,or interests in, KKK, its practices, symbols, weapons, history etc.
But what makes me puzzled is the selectivity of our choices: why does the mere mention of KKK provoke such violent reactions , with words cringe, repulsive, shudder being necessary introductions to many responses?
Why Nazi memorabilia can be discussed and collected?
Can we discuss a "hamidie" Ottoman dagger despite its emotional associations with murder of Armenians?
What about Quing dynasty swords? Any sensitivity to 20-30 million people slaughtered during Taiping rebellion?
Qajar dynasty swords? Agha Muhammed Qajar and the sack of Tbilisi, with every woman raped and hamstrung and every man castrated?
Japanese Gunto swords? Rape of Nanjing, anyone?
US weapons? Moro wars?
Many of us would give theiir right arm for a sword of Ghengiz Khan or Timur... Need I say more...
Which topics should be off the table of discussion and why?
Perhaps, none.
After all, this is the site of sword collectors. As long as we limit ourselves to the discussion of material objects and historical facts, and refrain from political/racial/ethnic prejudices ( as is only proper!), we should be OK to diiscuss any weapon of all times and countries.
Any disagreements?

17th March 2009, 05:55 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Hypersensitive topics Recently, a thread discussing a KKK sword was closed, because of its sensitive nature. Understandably, some people are very sensitive to this part of American history, whereas there are some who espouse KKK views to this very day. Personally, I have very little love for ,or interests in, KKK, its practices, symbols, weapons, history etc. But what makes me puzzled is the selectivity of our choices: why does the mere mention of KKK provoke such violent reactions , with words cringe, repulsive, shudder being necessary introductions to many responses? Why Nazi memorabilia can be discussed and collected? Can we discuss a "hamidie" Ottoman dagger despite its emotional associations with murder of Armenians? What about Quing dynasty swords? Any sensitivity to 20-30 million people slaughtered during Taiping rebellion? Qajar dynasty swords? Agha Muhammed Qajar and the sack of Tbilisi, with every woman raped and hamstrung and every man castrated? Japanese Gunto swords? Rape of Nanjing, anyone? US weapons? Moro wars? Many of us would give theiir right arm for a sword of Ghengiz Khan or Timur... Need I say more... Which topics should be off the table of discussion and why? Perhaps, none. After all, this is the site of sword collectors. As long as we limit ourselves to the discussion of material objects and historical facts, and refrain from political/racial/ethnic prejudices ( as is only proper!), we should be OK to diiscuss any weapon of all times and countries. Any disagreements?