Museum of the Nondescript

There are some organizations and individuals arguing that the Museum of the Confederacy should change its name by dropping any reference to the "Confederacy." (!?!?!?!) Uhh . . . say again? Yes, its true. George Orwell was most certainly a prophet. Those who claim to be marketing experts, and who further believe that anything associated with the Confederacy is just "too offensive", are beating the drum for the name change. We are definitely living in strange times. After all, isn't it in fact the Museum of the "Confederacy"?! Perhaps Southern Living should change it's name to Not-Northern Living, as another recent study suggested The University of the South - Sewanee, should downplay the "south thing" as it was potentially "offensive." Unless you haven't figured it out by now, these silly ideas are fueled by concerns over political correctness. But, since visitors and revenue have been falling for a number of years at the MOC, there has to be some reason. One article cites parents from public schools concerns over "racism" associated with the name of the museum. Anyone who has ever visited the MOC knows that the museum goes out of its way to present a balanced, non-partisan view of the Civil War and that any charge of racism is totally unfounded and uninformed. (Personally, if I had a child in a public school, I'd be more concerned about the violence prone kid in the trench coat that "the system" can't do anything with, than I would about some innocuous name of a museum but, that's another subject.)

I have been a member and vocal supporter of the MOC for a number of years, and will continue to be (unless, of course they change the name). They have a collection that most museums would drool over and their staff is nothing less than suberb. But the simple fact is that the MOC's problem has been their location and MCV's never-ending construction that makes the museum difficult and troublesome to find. Also, I believe the MOC could have done a better job marketing what they have to offer. I hate to be critical of an organization that needs help and which seems to be taking it on the chin from all sides, but changing the name of the MOC is an utterly ridiculous idea and one that reveals the extent to which political correctness and "historical presentism" has infected our Nation's study of history. With the continued and growing interest in the Civil War, along with the upcoming Sesquicentennial, there is no reason that the MOC should not be flourishing. Furthermore, the MOC should be on the front line battling political correctness' assault on the study of our Nation's history, not kowtowing to pc's suppression of historical truth. Not that the MOC has given any indication that they will "kowtow", but a strong frown from those who see history being suppressed by pc concerns might be a good idea. Count me a frowner.