Rachelle's Reading List: Tuesday, October 25th 2011

10. World War II Evacuee Costume. Well, after a lot of discussion on Tumblr, we have it finally settled. This is a costume used in the UK for "Evacuee Day." [NickDouglas] Read more: So no, it’s not i) an Anne Frank costume or ii) a Lucy from Narnia costume or iii) a Halloween costume. There is however a backstory of GROSS CAPITALIST EXPLOITATION behind it if Tumblr does want to get angry, albeit the exploited parties here are middle-class parents, viz:

• UK primary school national curriculum says kids need to learn about significant British history.
• It also says small children learn about history best through empathy.
• “Empathise” in the teaching of 5- and 6-year olds means “Dress up as”
• So schools declare that they are having an “Evacuee Day”, “Victorian Day”, “Roman Britain Day” etc.
• Parents get letter informing them that their little darling has to dress up as an Evacuee, Victorian child, Roman, etc.
• Time-poor, stressed parents don’t want to have to spend ages researching and making said costume when they could be spending their time w/their actual child (or OK watching TV) (this doesn’t really apply for the Roman one because that costume is a sheet)
• Internet search reveals readymade costume (see photo above)
• Parents grumblingly shell out their £15 or so. All kids at school end up dressed identically. Costume company laughs all the way to the bank.