A fellow member of the defense force saw my photo for the day and was offended by it. Having given their reasons (no I’m not going to say whom it is as everyone has the right not to appreciate something) we embarked on a longish discussion via email.
Let me say in writing that I have much respect for this person for speaking up directly to me.
My email reads as follows (edited to protect the identity) :
“I doubt you feel any more strongly about the slouch hat than I do.
I own two of them, paid for them myself … all fully kitted out because they mean something to me. I respect every single person who has ever donned one and whom ever will. Being a digger means a lot to me and no one will ever take that from me.
The photo was taken as part of my 365 day self portrait project that I am doing on flickr. It is all about self discovery and and improvement, both photographically and personally. You might want to look through my photos one day. I can see a growth in artistic interpretation and photographic skill. I seriously encourage you to take a look (use the link below) you might learn something about me … I have.
That shot was planned very carefully, exactly how much skin do I show? the angle of the hat? It was not a ‘Click, yeah that will do’ kind of shot. I ummed and ahhhed before posting it to flickr going through the pros and the cons but decided that people would understand where I was coming from and my intentions.
If you in anyway thought I meant to be disrespectful then you really have no clue who I am and maybe we shouldn’t communicate in any way from here on in.
I meant no disrespect to the uniform or to those who have served in the past, and I have seen similar shots before ENDORSED by the army in calendars used to raise funds for veterans affairs.
In short I am damn proud of the shot and my own bravery it took to post it.
But to respect your views it has been removed from Facebook. It will remain on flickr as it is part of my project and others appreciate it for what it is. A very respectful photo.”
The given reasons were that it could be seen as disrespectful for those who have died wearing the slouch hat. Disrespectful to the uniform.
Let me continue my venting when I say that I am a lousy soldier. Sure I can put on the uniform and do the discipline stuff when I have to … but I am a lousy soldier. But you will be hard pressed to find someone who respects the army, it’s uniform and it’s values more than me. I am damn proud to be in the defense force and will remain there until they kick me out.
My photo and accompanying text was in no way meant to offend or disrespect our veterans. I do not see it as pornographic (I mean come on, have you seen my body??? Not pretty!) or offensive. The subject matter is the hat and the respect I have for those who have, do and will continue to wear it. I just happen to be holding it. In my mind there is no difference to the photo of me wearing the hat I took days earlier. One could argue my unshaven face was more disrespectful.
It would have been much worse if I wasn’t using my hand to hold it.
Vent over … go on back to what you were doing.
I feel better now.
October 23rd, 2007 at 3:16 pm
It’s quite likely that I strongly agree with your email correspondent. I just didn’t think it worth getting into earlier. Your vent however seems to require a response.
There are a couple of things about your response the make me cringe.
One is “I paid for them” So what? Paying for something does not mean the you’ll respect it. In many cases quite the opposite.
The other is that although you asked your readers to refrain from silly humour you have twice said “lucky I’m using my hand to hold it up”
You know, I would have assumed you can maintain an erection, I didn’t need it spelt out. I would have given you the benefit of the doubt.
It’s a pose the every cheesy stripper has used. It’s not particularly original. It doesn’t say anything about diggers or soldiers. It’s not cutting edge, it’s not witty, it’s not anything. It’s a bloke with a hat. So what?
You know that people have a lot of respect for the uniform, and you wondered what response you would get. You wanted response, you got it, and now you are venting about it.
October 23rd, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Thanks again for speaking up. And as the title suggests … everyone is entitled.
You are fun … stick around.
My I paid for them was to show that although we are issued them, I still value them highly enough to pay for them myself … and a fully kitted out slouch hat with Light Horse plumes are not cheap. I’m sorry if it came across any other way.
And if I may … it’s a photo of a hat. A hat with meaning … That’s all it is.