With regard to the comments below, present controversies may indeed be
germane to the ongoing historical discussions on this and similar lists,
particularly if part of the controversy involves differing
interpretations of the past. Or, as another poster points out, aspects
of the historical landscape. In these cases, bringing our historical
knowledge (and not just our individual opinions) to bear on the topic
can be helpful and instructive. But this should not cover all cases.
That a particular institution has been around a long time does not mean
that everything that goes on there is relevant to a historical
discussion. All places have a history, after all, however long or short.
The W&M Cross controversy certainly involved many aspects to which
historical knowledge could contribute. The same cannot be said about
this latest episode. There is simply nothing I or anyone on this list
can contribute other than our political views on the matter. And that,
in my unhumble opinion, should not be the point of VA-Hist.

Bland Whitley
LVA


"This List is not a blog, as you  say, however, it does seem to me that
certain aspects of current events do pertain to Virginia history and
therefore qualify for inclusion and submission to this List; i.e., the
ongoing controversy at the College of William & Mary (an historical
institution) regarding the removal of an historical artifact (the cross
from the chapel) and, now, a sex show being presented, again, at the
college under the guise of art.
That is cultural history in the making, in my humble opinion."

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