It strikes me as odd to describe the Holocaust Museum as a "popular tourist attraction," as if it were Six Flags or something. The fine art of journalism just isn't what it used to be.
While this is strictly true, I would feel more comfortable if we had different words to describe it. "Popular tourist attraction" makes it sound like people go there for entertainment, for fun, and that thought gives me a vaguely queasy feeling, because my inner cynic suspects that -- in some cases -- this might be an accurate description.
We (Americans, in particular) tend to make everything into a spectacle for our enjoyment, for our personal shock value, even really horrible things like 9/11 and Katrina. I think we need to start using language that discourages this practice. Treating other people's suffering as entertainment is one of the vilest things I can think of.
What other term would you suggest for it? I admit that I'm scratching my head trying to think of a term that clearly states that a lot of people from outside DC go to the museum every day.
I've been to the museum once (actually, Lori Taylor got us tickets for that visit). It was a very powerful and moving experience, also sobering and depressing. I don't think anyone would confuse it with entertainment.
The problem is, I don't think there is an alternate term for what you're looking for. Either that or we need to redefine what the phrase "popular tourist attraction" means (which is, of course, an uphill battle).
I understand what you mean. A few years ago I was waiting for a train and I was listening in to a woman describing the things she'd done when she was in New York, and the list was something like, "we went to the Empire State Building, Broadway, Ground Zero and Macy's". I found it kind of disconcerting that 'Ground Zero' was on someone's happy fun time itinerary.
That said, it doesn't mean places like the Holocaust Museum shouldn't be visited as part of one's holiday; it just feels like it should be treated differently, some how.
Your use of the word "only" bothers me for some reason. I know that you probably mean to indicate relief that more harm did not occur, but I feel that somehow it diminishes the fact that harm did occur at all.
Of course, I might be a touch sensitive at the moment, as I work in a national law enforcement building only 5 blocks from the museum, and have just been insulted by a co-worker on an entirely unrelated subject...
BTW, I think flying or broken glass injured a third person.
I meant "only" mostly to reassure friends of mine worried about school children from our area. It is not in any way meant to diminish the tragedy and horror of what happened.
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mabfan
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no subject
Date: 2009-06-10 07:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-10 07:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-11 02:02 pm (UTC)We (Americans, in particular) tend to make everything into a spectacle for our enjoyment, for our personal shock value, even really horrible things like 9/11 and Katrina. I think we need to start using language that discourages this practice. Treating other people's suffering as entertainment is one of the vilest things I can think of.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-11 02:08 pm (UTC)I've been to the museum once (actually, Lori Taylor got us tickets for that visit). It was a very powerful and moving experience, also sobering and depressing. I don't think anyone would confuse it with entertainment.
The problem is, I don't think there is an alternate term for what you're looking for. Either that or we need to redefine what the phrase "popular tourist attraction" means (which is, of course, an uphill battle).
no subject
Date: 2009-06-12 01:52 pm (UTC)If I come up with something brilliant, I'll let you know ;-)
no subject
Date: 2009-06-10 07:25 pm (UTC)That said, it doesn't mean places like the Holocaust Museum shouldn't be visited as part of one's holiday; it just feels like it should be treated differently, some how.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-10 08:14 pm (UTC)Of course, I might be a touch sensitive at the moment, as I work in a national law enforcement building only 5 blocks from the museum, and have just been insulted by a co-worker on an entirely unrelated subject...
BTW, I think flying or broken glass injured a third person.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-10 08:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-10 08:25 pm (UTC)May his soul be bound up with the Eternal.