Roberta, you have apparently not been listening to some of the things that I have heard said at Knockholt.

The one that I think shocked me most was

"Well you're all just a bunch of dids really".

But I have also heard the n word and "Paki".

I have also heard BNP arguments, put expressly as BNP arguments, about immigration.

You should note that Mick apparently supports the view that politics should be left at the gate. You should also note that Royston expressly takes that view, and you should not (as you do) state otherwise.

The Silent One has nowhere suggested that you should be unable to say whatever you wish to say (presumably within the confines of polite society, which should exclude ugly racism and threats and of course criminal speech). His post above expresses concern that "Folk against Fascism" (which by its nature is intended to resist the arrogation of folk for political purposes, by fascists) should be gagged.

There is some right-wing folk and neofolk (but not much): Peter Bellamy did some, Harvey Andrews "the Soldier" is accounted that way by some, Chalky White's singing of some military songs could be viewed that way, and there is the output of David Hannam and pals. Oh, I know of a couple of anti-union songs that Simon Barlow sings. But AFAIK there is not much more. The only racist folk songs I know are very old and stem from a period regrettably when antisemitism was an everyday part of England, and they are few. There is some gung-ho Americana.

Most of the body of 1954 folk and neofolk is robustly leftist, the former rejoicing in the small triumphs of man over master (despite ostensible forelock-tugging), and the latter the liberation of man from master. This is not a body of work that it apt to be occupied, as the BNP writings set out as a plan, by racists, to use as a banner for white supremacists. In that sense, the "Folk against Fascism" slogan is perfecly just, and reflects (but more politely) the insignia on Woody Guthrie's guitar "This machine kills fascists". It is a great deal less antisocial than putting golliwogs on the fire.


It seems to me that if, as I understand it still to be the case, Folkmob no longer subsidises the event, the only people with the standing to say what may or may not (or should or should not) be said or done are Mick and Sue. You should see the drafts I prepared (no charge) of what a prudent lawyer should impose as "site rules" to see how far such rules should extend, but they go a great deal further than teh Folkmob diversity policy - which WOULD preclude some of the things I have heard said at Knockholt.

It is then up to potential attendees to decide whether they will attend and comply - or not.

If it be the case that Sue and Mick's rules preclude the wearing of FaF t-shirts or bannering ones vardo or bender with a FaF banner, then there will be a number who will face a decision whether to attend or not.