Sibling Rivalry, Limited Views A few weeks ago, we got a phone call from The Washington Post requesting permission to use our (Positive Idea Marketing) web site and tourist center phone number in a travel article about Eureka Springs. The writer who called told us he had been surfing the web and found what he called, "The best tourism web site he had ever seen." Naturally, we were flattered. It's not every day that you get high compliments from sources of that caliber. Of course we answered with an enthusiastic "yes" to his request. So the story ran in a Sunday edition; and right up until Washington got occupied with juicier matters, we were getting quite a few phone calls and letters from the Washington D.C. area, as well as from international readers of this premiere American newspaper. The article is entitled "In Arkansas, a Passion for Drama." The lead describes the Passion Play, and mentions our other attractions like historic architecture, spas and fine dining. But the major thrust of the article is repeated a few times in quotes like this: "Even if the play is not the focal point of your trip, it's hard to tune out. The sound effects, particularly the shrieks and thuds from the Crucifixion scene, echo through the hollows." Or this: "David Bailey certainly thought Eureka was odd when he heard "agonizing screams and hammering" in the distance as he sat on his porch one night." Why this particular slant? I don't know. The writer didn't mention the Passion Play on the phone. He had obviously gathered the information from other sources and the tone of his article indicates that he finds "Arkansas' Number One Tourism Attraction" amusing. The response we got from his readers is very typical and, unfortunately, it has the potential to be more alarming than funny. We get a fair number of phone calls from the "traditional marketing area" for Passion Play information. But do you know what the world at large is interested in instead? They want to know if the Passion Play is serious or if it's "high camp alternative theater." Is there anything else to do here, or is Eureka Springs "just a Bible Belt community?" People post comments on internet newsgroups like "The Christ of the Ozarks statue is tacky. It's the number one reason why redneck engineers shouldn't drink." They want to know if we consider Gerald L.K. Smith a local hero. And if we're serious. . .and if we're not a bunch of redneck anti-Semites, why do we put so much focus on that Play? After enough of these letters, I got curious about how people make the connection between Eureka Springs and "redneck anti-Semitism," so I searched the internet and discovered endless numbers of articles about hate groups, the rise of white supremacy, the Christian Identity movement -- all quoting Gerald L.K. Smith, many stating that Mr. Smith had given up politics to form a "fundamentalist performance center in Eureka Springs, Arkansas." I found Eureka Springs listed on KlanWatch as a town with an "active hate group." I found rabbis discussing the promotion of hatred via passion plays in general and ours in particular. Per haps you think that "Eureka Springs" and "white supremacy" used in the same sentence is not good news. Or maybe you think this is great news and an ideal marketing slant for Eureka in the 21st century. Either way, bear in mind that these articles are written by people who have no agenda regarding Eureka Springs at all; they're merely discussing historical fact and we are caught in the crossfire. In fact, some of the references I found are for college-level sociology courses in three different states-it's not even on the internet. It's in the schools, and by extension the homes and offices of America. At the moment, the Passion Play is a high focus part of our official marketing. It's the one local attraction that can prompt the CAPC to overcome their usual budgetary fears and vote for maximum financial support. It is a matter of concern to a large number of people that the popularity of the Passion Play is declining. Here are some other things that are true: People in our immediate area who already know of the Passion Play's existence are interested in coming. These people are the recipients of our city marketing efforts and have been for years. They are also "like us;" in other words, they have the same basic regionally based beliefs and values and they don't jump to KKK-related conclusions when they hear the word "Arkansas." Nine out of ten of these people have no idea about the other amenities available until we tell them, i.e. "The play starts at 8:30 and you might also enjoy visiting the New Holy Land." There is certainly some number of people in this limited area who are interested in returning again and again, but if the play is to survive and prosper, a new market is called for. . .and that means beating new bushes. . .and that's where you hit the wall of "Arkansas=hick=redneck=anti-semite=KKK" and so on. Recent events in Washington haven't exactly helped our state's reputation for sophistication and mannerly behavior. The correspondence we receive about the Play has changed over the past year, and a large part of that change is due to the 1997 publication of a book called "Gerald L.K. Smith, Minister of Hate." The book and its subject are frequently (and very publicly) discussed, and all this suggests a few approaches, including: -Ignore the whole situation, continue to market to the 6-8 hour driving range and hope for the best. -Utilize the publicity to attract greater numbers of white Christians with "far-right" beliefs and gradually or overtly eliminate the "liberal" population and attractions in Eureka. -Allow the Passion Play to dwindle away and create an alternative use for the businesses and structures that have depended on its existence for their own survival. -Create a "spin" on the situation and explain to the world at large why AME churches from Memphis or Chicago should feel welcome and safe when traveling to Eureka Springs. . . but that means honestly admitting to a very non-PC reputation, creating a logical explanation for our behavior, and actively promoting the results. We don't have to admit to anything or explain anything, of course. The world is drawing its own conclusions without our input. No one can blame this one on Branson infiltrators or tree-huggin' hippie freaks. Neither can we take the opposite view and claim that we have nothing to do with the Play or its history. While WE are conducting marketing surveys, THEY are busily talking about us and it doesn't matter if your name is Louis Epley or Carolyn Green-you're tarred with the same brush. We can stay at our fever pitch of sibling rivalry all we like. As far as the world is concerned. . . and I do mean The World, we are all in this together and what one of US does is observed by all of THEM. Let the volumes of "redneck-Eureka" propaganda mount, or deal with it before the problem gets any bigger. This affects you. . . yes you there with the Tarot cards and the Pagan t-shirt. This isn't just a matter of concern for the "Powers that Be." Who is going to be responsible for dealing with this situation? That may be the most important question of this entire manifesto: Who is in charge? Where does the buck stop? And before you answer that question, consider this one: What are you personally unwilling to do in order to succeed? Is dealing with people you don't like or causes you don't respect one of the things you're unwilling to do? <-- Back       More -- >