As a civil war reenactor this was just a blatant hit piece. Reenactments are not the celebrations of the events that happened, let alone slavery! It's just like the name implies we are reenacting the events that happened as a form of visual history so people can (in a sense) see the history play out. In short reenacting is to show people what the battles were like and how life was like back then. NOT a celebration of the time period or the views these men had.

Re-enactments aren't racist they happen everywhere. Enthusiasts every where celebrate their history. From the Romans, to the Saxons, to the Vikings, to WW2. I come from Europe so I've seen many in the past. Plenty of people suffered at the hands of the Vikings but they still get Re-enacted Enthusiastically with no problems.

2:02. Yes, history needs to be remembered. Stop banning books at schools.

I don’t appreciate the reporters tone of voice and how he’s making them look racist…that’s wrong

My uncle was a Union reenactor, I remember he took me to a "battle" once when I was visiting him on the east coast. It was an absolute blast. I have a great great something grandfather who was a union officer, and I thought it was an awesome way to honor his memory and step into his shoes. Anyways, my uncle was great friends with some of the rebel reenactors in that town. There was no political anomosity between any of them, far from it! They all respected each other's beliefs, and they all knew a ton about history. They recognized that slavery was wrong, and that it was good that the North won. Above it all though, they were a bunch of well in formed, awesome guys with a tremendous love and respect for history. It was one of the more tolerant political atmospheres I can remember ever being in. My point is, reenactment isn't a celebration of the confederacy (or at least it shouldn't be). I think a lot of our problems today would be solved if we were more open and honest with our discussions of the past.

At least they are not burning down stores and businesses.

I know people who re-enacted the English civil war for decades on the monarchist side. They don't support going back to the pre-1689 British constitution where the monarchy had far more power. I know Americans re-enact the war of independence without desiring to install the Queen as head of state.

I have a cousin who is a re-enactors of our confederate Captain ancestor from Ky. My family who fought were mostly Union officers or soldiers. My cousin re-enacts for historical purposes like most re-enactors. My father in law re-enacted his Union Captain officer grandfather. It’s like a hobby for most participants. This has been an ongoing tradition in my neck of the woods since the early 80’s. Their re-enactment has nothing to do with politics as much as it has to do with history.

As part of the Civil War community we are just trying to honnor our history and heritage. We do not celebrate slavery, we are a super kind and loving and friendly community North and South

They most definitely do World War 2 reenactments all over Europe... Hell they do English Civil War reenactments...

Without these "controversial" reenactors there wouldn't have been movies like "Gettysburg", "Glory", et cetera. who donated their free time for often little more than some water and sandwiches (at best money to cover the powder and shot they used).

I'm a civil war reenactor and I'm not racist those people that think we are we are not racist

Man this is biased! I just got my reenactment gear. Im hispanic and Im in the confederate side. I dont care about the whole race stuff its just cool! Like the whole fighting period imo

My wife did a PhD in adult reenactment (medieval reenactors) & learning in another country. The benefits far outweigh the negatives with the participants learning a great deal about themselves & others. And the horrors of medieval times make the 1800s look meek & mild by comparison! Think about it, these people are reenacting & celebrating the greatest physical defeat the institution of slavery has ever suffered! And gallantry does not mean the cause someone is fighting for is just

This reporter definitely is offended. Lol! Keep history alive so we don’t repeat it.

They tried to make reenactors look stupid. The funny thing is, when you go to the events, you meet some of the most knowledgable people on the subject of the civil war or whatever other war they are reenacting.

8:52 … yes there are no statues of Hitler in Germany. However, there is a monument in just about every village/town/city honoring veterans of the local area in both WWI and WWII. European reenactors are Just as passionate about telling history through the eyes of a soldier as Civil War reenactors are.

Media just doesn't want anyone to find enjoyment in anything hands on these days.

“He was out in the open, waving his hat, pointing to a grove of trees, saying… We larp at dawn boys

That’s probably the worst take I have ever herd about reenacting.

I've been to several reenactments in my life and have done living history (interpretive programs) in the past. One of the things that I think most people don't understand about the people who spend their time and money of these and other historical events, is that at the heart of our interest is simply a love and respect for history. We come from every kind of walk of life and have as diverse of beliefs and opinions about our history, and even our political beliefs. My best friend from my former living history group was an atheist who was as progressive of a Liberal Democrat as I am a Christian Republican. In the same group was moderates, libertarians, and every other form of belief. ... We just loved getting together and talking and telling history. No subject was off the table. And we openly talked about slavery, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights movement. Not one person was sad the North won, and the majority of us were all born in the South.

people have been re-enacting the civil war for a lot longer than just since last year. even if last years protests brought a bigger audience to these re-enactments, that doesn’t mean that it’s because they want to celebrate racism. could just as easily mean that the protests sparked a historical interest among people that wasn’t there before. because, as we know, there a lots of people who aren’t super well educated about history, right?

As a reenactor, reenacting is just larping. Thats it, we dont have any political motives other than it looks cool. I know so many people in the reenacting community with a wide array of beliefs that what binds us together is our interest in portraying the past.

It's not shocking and insensitive. It's history that we need to constantly be reminded of so we won't repeat it!

Makes me wonder how people feel on re-enactors of other wars. IE: Revolutionary War, War of 1812, etc.

I live in Illinois and I remember goin to these as a kid. Don’t remember anything racist about it. Thought it was really cool.

Civil war monuments should not be torn down. They should be placed in museums to preserve history. This is sickening to watch

It seems like the reporter forgets that the Civil War ended slavery.

It's hilarious how slanted this "journalism" is, but all the people at the event are super candid and friendly 🤣 😂

I’m a hardcore liberal but come on… this is totally sensationalist…. The teacher’s absolutely right. I really look forward to getting into the reenactment scene when I can afford to, my maternal ancestor fought for the Union in the 53rd Wisconsin.

The reporter could have done a little less of telling us HIS opinion & more of showing us what happens at these events (ie more reporting)

I lost family in the civil war and will never forget them.

Two words for our kind fellas over at ABC, from Australia, with love; grow up.

They say it’s history but don’t want to teacher critical race theory in schools it doesn’t make sense

I have uncles that do civil war reenactments. Super conservative. One used to be a racist, he doesn't seem that way now. I see him post about black people who fought in the military.

I like the material aspect of these re enactments. Kids need to know how we got to where we are today. This was the worst war of its era. What came before WWI & WWII? The American Civil War. To cover it lightly.

No one celebrates the losing side. The south lost, just remember people.

Japan celebrates the lives lost of each side of their Civil war. They even considered the rebel Saigō Takamori to be a great hero even though he took up arms against his government and lost. I see this as no different.

It's just a hobby and more and more people have discovered it... and enjoy it. Nothing else to it. The story is a load of tosh that is just trying to stir up trouble. That's from me, an ACW reenactor... in the Uk!

I always wanted to participate in one of these reeinactments

My brother did civil war games for at least 20 years. He took it very seriously. He made everything himself, completely authentic. He made a mortar that fired bowling balls. Built a cook wagon. Blacksmithed all kinds of things for his unit. He quit when he got to old to sleep on the ground.

low key this event looks cool

I believe in heritage. The Civil War is what made this country. This war defined us for generations to come. To deny re-enactments would deny the war’s importance and, in essence, this country.

I've been to stone mountain many times before, to get rid of that is a prime example of over sensitivity.

How is it "Racist?" It is piece of American history. Growing popularity means this thing is more entertaining than all these non sense stuff on tv these days.

I would like to do a civil war reenactment on both sides of the war

You know what I would've answered had that man said "Do people call you a racist" ? I would've said "Do people call you a criminal" ?. The point I made is that stereotypes is a thing and always will be. People would rather paint a brush than take the time to get to know someone. Because it's less effort doing so.

Stop lying we do have ww2 reenactments in germany!

Don’t disrespect them they are showing what it was like where so many Americans were lost. They are keeping history alive. Get over it

Civil war reenactments are not a celebration, it's a reminder of the past, of what we were once like and what we fought for, we cannot simply just forget it because everybody is so offended.

Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it

It’s important to remember the civil war so that it never happens again and to remember the hero’s of the north

4:43 did you just not listen? its a remembrence of our history. im sure the germans dont just brush the holocaust umder the rug. they recognize it and acknowledge their mistake and learn from it. thats what they do

Have seen videos of ww2 reenacting in Germany so maybe check facts

How do it “controversial?” Because it’s history, and you psychopaths don’t want humans to know their history?

History is awesome. They're just a bunch of old history buffs.

I wasn’t going to comment on here but now after seeing this video I am… I am both a confederate and union reenactor, all we are doing is preserving history. What people REFUSE to believe in this country is if any nation forgets its past they are doomed to repeat it. How can these people even begin to understand something that happened over 160 years ago? It was a different time and place… You’re judging this hobby from a modern political perspective, not of history. Yes we are being judged and attacked for reasons that are simply not true…. We are not white supremacist, nor do we condone slavery…. Never did!!! After lee surrendered in 1865 all confederate soldiers became veterans… So when you take down a monument in there memory for fighting for what they thought was right, your taking down a monument of a veteran… plain and simple…. It’s the KKK and white supremacist who have twisted history and made it into something it really never was…. Most southern soldiers couldn’t afford slaves, much less shoes during the civil war. Am I condoning slavery NO IM NOT…. But twisting the truth to satisfy an agenda to promote off of what has happened recently in this country to that of 160 years ago is not only wrong but a distortion of the truth… plain and simple…. That is not what reenacting is….

Where can I sign up for the reenactment

If anyone knows of an active North Carolina regiment, I am looking.

I used to revolutionary war reenactment in Virginia. It's great fun! Pick an era, find a group. Certain areas are better for certain eras. Civil war is pretty easy to get into East, Middle, and South. Where I moved to is not great for Revolutionary War. Sometimes Civil War is your only practical choice in some States.

I am a longtime reenactor for a Confederate unit. I am not some skinhead or Klan member. In fact, my wife is Chinese and we have a beautiful daughter. Schools don't teach the truth about Abraham Lincoln. He didn't believe in equality and there are documents that prove this. In the Emancipation Proclamation (which was unconstitutional) it only freed the slaves in the Confederate states and not the border states like Kentucky or Missouri because there was slavery in those states and they had many units that fought for the Union. So, he didn't want to piss them off or they would have left too. Not to mention the fact that Lincoln's plan was to colonize the freed slaves in Africa or South America. But yet we have a Lincoln Memorial. Reenacting is not racist. It is an opportunity for people to see what it was like and learn about an important era of our nation's history.

Funny story American Civil War reenactment are very popular in Germany a friend of mine who lives in Berlin only reenacts as a Confederate soldier completely blew my mind

The German argument for why they don't have statues or monuments of the third Reich was because the allied forces went out of their way to destroy anything so there wouldn't be a resurgent of Nazi ideals in Germany which if I remember correctly Lincoln and the north wanted to do but after Lincoln was assassinated everything changed with the next president's policies and it's kind of the reason why we still have these types of statues and everything here.

Civil war reenacting pays tribute to the men who lost their lives fighting that war...saying reenacting is celebrating slavery is just not true..its paying tribute to the soldiers who gave their lives during the civil war so ppl dont forgot history

You can’t stop us. We are what we are. Pound sand

This reporter said that Germany doesn't do this kind of reenactment. Germans don't do Nazi reenactments, but they do U.S. Civil War reenactments. In fact, there is a KZfaq program about it available.

Me and Dad were dressed up like Union soldiers from American civil war reenactment of the musket drill training in Massachusetts in 2017

Just put plaques next to the statues like explaining the situation or put them in museums just let the truth be out there bare for all races to see

Nothing sexier than an obese, bearded, middle-aged man in a Civil War outfit !

I've done reenacting as member of the 1st Minnesota. My Great-Great Grandfather served in the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, which is why I will only do a Union portrayal. The irony of Secession is that it was the most effective agent in the abolition of slavery.

The problem is some ppl want just certain type of history, let’s put ALL the history out there

Interesting that what most Americans and the anti American media in particular consider to be the confederate flag is in fact not the original flag of the confederation. The first confederate flag was the Stars and Bars. Funny this Limey knows that but most Yanks don't. History is written by the victors and the war of northern aggression certainly is a good example of that.

I hate that people try to destroy history and even stop re-enactors history should always be remembered not forgotten if we do not remember the past, we are doomed to repeat it!

you cannot compare one country like germany to america's history also they do have reenactments there alot of german's travel out of the country to reenact wermacht and ss battle's the only reason they dont do it in there own country is because they have no 1st amendment

It was the deadliest war for America, and might I add its probably fun to reenact the battles, while getting an idea of the brutally of America's conflicting ideology.

People wonder why there are 40% of young people who support Socialism. The answer to why this is happening can be seen at 1:50 ish. A history teacher, who says "History is offensive" "we can only learn from it if it's offensive". No, History is not offensive. As a Historian he should know that to look at historic events with modern day views on "morality" (like we really have much left today...) is wrong, and that historic events need to be viewed through the lense of THEIR contempary time. Anything else is what I like to call "temporal chauvinism". That doesn't mean we can't learn from History, and from (what we perceive to be wrong) the wrong doings etc of History. Maybe he was just expressing himself badly, but I doubt it. Far Leftists (even Communists) have been allowed to infiltrate the education system UNCHECKED for decades, using their position of "authority" to push their ideology on young, easily impressed minds. This mostly was confined to colleges (and even there only in niche fields) in the past, but that is no longer true, it's steadily trickling down into 2ndary education and even towards extremely young children. In my country it's against the law for teachers to politically influence students, yet that never stopped the Leftoids from doing it, they just fancied themselves to be subtle about it (bringing up issues that are totally unrelated to the curriculum, and giving a leftist spin to them via half truths etc, instead of presenting them in an actually objective and neutral member and simply moderating the discussion). This was 20ish years ago, I can only imagine how brazen they are these days, and from what I can see in US media it's far worse in the US. Children being kicked out for wearing MAGA stuff or American flags as "offensive" and "racist", while wearing Black Power symbols (like the black fist) is totally fine, as are LGBTQ and even "MAP" (what a disgusting term) flags, BLM flags (a highly political organization/movement, where the leadership openly stated that they're "trained Marxists", not to mention scammers/embezzlers and thieves) and so on. The media isn't innocent in this either. I suggest you get off your asses and actually do something, rather than just complain in youtube comments (for fear of being cancelled/losing your jobs etc), before you lose something that matters more: Your country, your freedom or maybe even your life. I witness overreach after overreach particularly by the Democrat party (outright violations of the 2nd amendment, attempts to violate the 1st amendment via calling for "hate speech" legislation but using "hate speech" to broadly define even the tiniest of "micro aggression" - another term, that is extremely disgusting - etc), and nothing is done. People always yap about the "silent majority". Guess what: Pretty much every dictatorship ever (incl. Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union) had a "silent majority". It takes a measly 20-25% of support in the population to curtail everyone's freedom, when it comes down to it, if all the majority does is "be silent".

The Civil War is over and the South lost badly.

Keep our history alive.

You can't teach people common sense when you tell them your feelings don't change history I'm offended by the Holocaust yet they didn't tear down quite a few of the concentration camps

Civil War reenacting is only "controversial" among idiots. Historical reeacting is an exciting way to bring the past to life and educate people who might otherwise never crack open a book. These people spend thousands of dollars and volunteer their time to educate and entertain the public for FREE or little cost. So you can go look at how those men fought, what they ate, what equipment they used, etc.

It’s their hobby. They wake up and go to work every day, and choose to enjoy their free time doing that. It makes them happy in life. The era fascinates them and they’re imaginary minded like conservative cosplay/renaissance. Stop trying to take everyone’s happiness away from them.

People the world over are proud of their history and the ties to those who came before them. There are historical reenactments of all time periods including ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, American Revolution battles, the Battle of Waterloo, The Battle of New Orleans, the two world wars and others. The Old South provided a tremendous culture that all Southerners should be proud of. That did include slavery. But so did ancient Greece and Rome that made possible their high culture that modern Europe and its outposts including America descended from. No one today advocates the return of slavery, but there are a lot of people including myself who want to return to the elegance, grace and chivalry that was evidenced in the Old South. For a deeper understanding of this way of life take a look at historian Eugene Genovese's work on the South that painted the South as an example of a Mytho-Poetic approach to life. This is what Southerners and others from around the world value about our history. If someone is really so concerned about slavery, then what are they doing to free the millions of people enslaved around the world today? There are more slaves now than in the 19th Century. Usually, the opposition to remembering the Civil War and the ante-bellum South is not slavery per se. Rather, it is opposition to a socially conservative Christian culture that keeps alive its historical and cultural distinctives.

If you have an issue with reenacting you’re a little snowflake. It’s fun and helps to preserve and remember history.

I’m pretty sure they’re not connected, but people are looking for more outdoor entertainment.

I am a Federal American Civil War Reenactor, in Illinois, I enjoy the comrade and enjoy sitting talking and spend my weekend with like minded people. I enjoy doing living history were people can come to our camp and learn about Civil War History and the life of a Federal Army soldier and etc. I love answer questions from the public, and enjoy taking photos with people

I have seen people reenact everything from Vietnam to Edward Longshanks, I don't think there is any harm in it.

George flloyd wasn’t murdered

MSM... Just quit your bs narrative!

I do not believe that history should be erased or destroyed. Then we can't learn from the mistakes of the past. If these monuments are to be taken down, then they should be in a museum. It should be looked at objectively though a lens of modern eyes in an attempt to understand, not glorify the thought processes of the people of that time.

People reenact all different types of wars and time periods for educational purposes. To give you a depiction of what life was like. For the war re-enactments it’s living history that’s entertaining like a broadway show and are more educational than Hamilton. I want to go to more re-enactments like revolutionary war and civil war. Gettysburg is coming up

When called upon volunteers responded, and in May 1863 the Government established the Bureau of Colored Troops to manage the burgeoning numbers of black soldiers. By the end of the Civil War, roughly 179,000 black men (10% of the Union Army) served as soldiers in the U.S. Army and another 19,000 served in the Navy. Nearly 40,000 black soldiers died over the course of the war-30,000 of infection or disease. Black soldiers served in artillery and infantry and performed all noncombat support functions that sustain an army, as well. Black carpenters, chaplains, cooks, guards, laborers, nurses, scouts, spies, steamboat pilots, surgeons, and teamsters also contributed to the war cause. There were nearly 80 black commissioned officers.

I must have missed it when i reenacted the parts that were about slavery. People act like we were out on a plantation reenacting beatings, whippings, chaced by dogs, splitting up familys etc. People have no clue they just see something turn it into what they want then want everybody else to see it, and if you dare not to see it there way then your a racist. Our beloved american flag flew over states that had slaves for how many years before the civil war? If your going to take down, destroy southern monuments, confederate flags etc., make sure you complete the job and do the same to the stars and stripes, if you dont wouldnt that make you a hypocrite?

Confederate reenactor here, I urge these people to join one of these and get to talk to some of us, they are the nicest people you'll ever meet.

Ask those people why the civil war was fought?

There's a sudden interest because racists and racism are gearing up for a round 2. Pay attention America especially Black America

what i dont understand what reenactments have literally anything to do with all this confederate stuff. I am for the removal of confederate monuments, but reenacting battles puts on display the reality of this war fought on our soil. Its as if the people making this forget that the united states WON the war. The union WON. so if anything reenactments are a celebration of that victory. genuinely dont understand the point of this

That makes me mad they were destroying the monuments. We need this for a reminder.

For all you critics of history reenacting , do you realize that none of these people advocate the overthrow or destruction of the government of the United States of America? However, there are several organizations who do. Black Lives Matter, NAACP, Farakhan are some examples. Witness the Black National Anthem played at sporting events. Isn't that divisive? Also, reenactors from Northern states are active in this. Grant ,Lincoln and other Union heroes' statues have been pulled down by these organizations. They fought for the North as I recall. By the way, these reenactors DON'T use fake cannon or rifles. They are all still capable of lethal use. This reporter is only showing his ignorance and prejudice.

I just signed up for the Civil War reenactment in California, previous U.S. Army experience Desert Storm / Iraqi Freedom now a proud retired Army Veteran. I'm half-Sioux and half-White and I have no "issues" with the racial aspect of it and personally I don't really care or get into the "politics" of it, just want to be part of Civil War history, nothing more. I can also learn from this experience since my school U.S. History knowledge is diminishing the older I get. Whether I'll be taking the Union or Confederate side.....does it really matter? It's called "reenactment" folks. Because I know there's some of you out there that take this very seriously as far as being "political" since the George Floyd incident that happened over 3 years ago now...I don't. Life happens folks, that's just the way it is unfortunately. And believe it or not folks, there's still prejudice even with the Whites / Sioux when I was living on a Reservation in North Dakota many moons ago, I know from experience.

some people act like America was the only country to have slavery, Slavery still exists in some parts of Africa today. History is what it is. Ps slavery existed under the America flag for over 80 years.and during WW-2 blacks were segregated in the U.S. Army.