<p>I am the chair of a large year-end social event (not Prom) at our school. The theme is Manhattan and decor is black-and-white. We purchased two large gorgeous b-w photos of lower Manhattan skyline at night, and yes, the Towers are in it. Posters went up last night at the school in advance of ticket sales; info, etc. is posted with them. The theme and the posters have been known/seen since at least March, in meetings, etc. but they “went public” today.</p>
<p>Got an email this am 20 minutes into the school day from teacher saying that staff/students are upset by the presence of the towers and can they take the posters down. And I said okay, but am baffled and a little abashed. DH works in defense, I have family in law enforcement/first responders so 9/11’s resonance is not at all lost on me…but now we can’t have a picture of the Towers anywhere? Help me understand this.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t find it offensive; it is part of the historic skyline. But…I could see it being upsetting if you were in that region of the country. </p>
<p>It is frustrating that the potential issue wasn’t noticed until now. Could you put a poster or blurb advertising the event over the area where the WTC towers are located?</p>
<p>Green button: very surprised you were able to purchase these without acknowledgement that they were actually “dated” prior to 9/11…</p>
<p>This, unfortunately, has become a by-product of that fateful day, but I sympathize with those who are sensitive to the issue…I agree with the above post; find a way to either cover the towers or make some sort of acknowledgement (maybe a FDNY memorial sticker or something ) on them…</p>
<p>We actually considered covering the Towers up, but I said at the time that it seemed disrespectful to blot them out, and no one disagreed. I thought (and think) it was if we were saying it never happened, or was bringing the vibe down or something; thought it was better to see it as a beautiful historic shot. We live in PA, not NY</p>
<p>And I purchased them online from a poster place – they are smack in the middle of the shot so it wasn’t a surprise they were in it. But we live and learn, I guess.</p>
<p>I think that those who are protesting are self-dramatizing. Speaking as someone who used to commute to work through the WTC. </p>
<p>I agree that covering them up would REALLY be strange.</p>
<p>I suggest that you offer to meet with the people who are concerned about this and listen to them. Then they get to listen to your POV. Then you can decide what to do. WHich might be to tell them that you regret that they find this disturbing, but that the WTC was indeed part of the Manhattan skyline for a number of decades, and showing them is NOT an act of disrespect, but the reverse.</p>
<p>Would you crop your deceased grandparents out of family photos?</p>
<p>What about having a tastefully done sign made up, professionally, that says something like “We Remember” and post that near the Towers on the poster.</p>
<p>I understand the objections to this. I would have never ordered that as a backdrop for an event unless it was specifically meant as commemorative. As you have discovered, just the sight of the towers is still very emotional experience for many people. If this is supposed to be a celebratory event, the choice was probably not the most sensitive one. Can’t you find something else?</p>
<p>What about buying another poster without the towers and placing them in the display as well?</p>
<p>Several years after 9/11, we were in Disney, and went to a “time travel” type attraction. There were films of NY in the future - the towers were still there. We were a bit disconcerted; the attraction was removed shortly thereafter.</p>
<p>I would have chosen a photo of the current skyline, if I included a skyline picture at all.</p>
<p>But perhaps it might have been better not to have a skyline illustration at all because even the new skyline could be a painful thing for some people to see. There are plenty of pictures that convey the idea of “Manhattan” without the skyline. My personal preference would be Times Square at night, which is festive and unmistakably NYC but does not bring back memories of September 11.</p>
<p>roshke, I appreciate the input and obviously you are correct. We were specifically trying to find an image of NYC at night, in bw. Harder than you might think on a miniscule budget! Have to laugh, I had one of the Brooklyn Bridge and decided we would get flak about it being not truly a Manhattan icon. This is not a backdrop, just a poster in 2 hallways. At my request, S2 went and found them and took them down at lunchtime. Even though these students were in 1st grade, at most, on 9-11, it’s just not that important and they are entitled to feel what they feel.</p>
<p>Time to get out the large white rolls of paper, some of that black paint used by school kids and find a talented youth to paint you a night time skyline in an area of Manhattan that is away from the tower location.</p>
<p>We all agree that 9/11 will never be forgotten. I get just as sad when i see a pix without the towers.</p>
<p>greenbutton, I didn’t mean my post to come across harshly- you clearly had good intentions! It’s just that a lot of people can’t drive into NYC from that part of the city without thinking about the missing towers, or see a movie that features them in passing without getting choked up. The history of the towers is something to be remembered forever, of course, but as I mentioned, maybe not the best backdrop for a party.</p>
<p>I agree with the poster who said that those protesting are probably self dramatizing…if those protesting are students. if it is bothering teachers, I would be more compelled to believe that they have real, deep feelings about the event and the posters are a painful reminder.</p>
<p>Also, a very inexpensive replacement would be to find a photo of the new york Skyline (black and white or not) and bring it to a photo place. They can enlarge it and make it black and white very easily. Even add text.</p>
<p>I would see why they’re objecting. Is there a legitimate reason or are they just being overly sensitive?</p>
<p>The towers are a part of our history. I don’t see anything wrong with it, especially given that you’re on a budget. Getting rid of the towers in various mediums (posters, movies, etc) kind of feels like we’re trying to erase the fact that they were there. IMHO, I like the idea of keeping towers in things whenever possible because it reminds us of what was lost and they were iconic and not something that should be forgotten.</p>
<p>I agree with EPTR. If it’s students, let’s remember that they were in 2nd (?) grade when the towers fell. Likely, they don’t even really remember unless they lost someone directly.</p>
<p>I think that you were right to take down the posters. I know that it wasn’t intentional, but they upset staff and students. Some of them may have been personally affected by the tragedy, and others might just find the image disturbing. I would just make some new posters and move ahead with your event. It’s sounds like you’ve put a lot of work into it, so don’t let this become a bigger issue than necessary.</p>
<p>roshke --it’s all good, no worries. I appreciate everyone’s alternate suggestions, but we really have no budget for anything but what these were – $6 posters. S2 reports that the only objections he heard – everyone heard – was one teacher who is not known for his placid demeanor, yelling about the image and demanding it be taken away. Son says to me “there’s a time and a place for yelling like that, and school isn’t it. He could have called you. Or emailed you. Mom, your info is right on the poster”. So it’s a learning opportunity, at the very least. We’ll print up some 8.5X11 info sheets and slap 'em on the wall in the morning. Thanks for all the input :)</p>
<p>greenbutton, it’s all about purpose and context. If this were a historical play, or a commemoration of 9/11, I don’t see an objection. However, it seems from your description that this is a regular social event. For a social event, I would think the outline of the North and South Towers would be at the worst, very sad; and at the least, highly distracting from the purpose of a social event.</p>
<p>^There are numerous NYC poster options available at affordable prices.<br>
For instance: yellow cabbies, yankee stadium, empire state building, etc.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t want posters of the Towers hung in an environment meant to be a celebration.
I’ll never forget that day. My husband’s friend was on the plane that was taken down by the passengers. He received a phone call from her Mom that day. She described how her daughter called her and a sister to say goodbye and to tell them where her will/important papers were located. It was heartbreaking.</p>
<p>A woman I worked with lost 2 brothers that day—one is each tower. My brother in law (a retired NYC fireman) lost many friends that day. </p>
<p>As you can see, it is very logical that someone may not feel it is appropriate to hang posters of the towers at an event meant to be joyous.</p>
<p>I lived in NY, not that far from Manhattan, on 9/11 and even though I was still a child, I don’t think it’s offensive to include them in your posters. I mean, I do get chills when I watch movies and they show them in a shot but they were there at one point and a big part of NY.</p>