Just What Do People Expect From a Jack the Ripper Exhibition?

[Sam Flynn]

I was about to make the observation that the East End of the time was replete with victims (of "civilisation" as much, if not more so, than crime) only to note that Stewart has already done so. I'd endorse that view.

[Jenni Shelden]

Tom,

i dont see how anyone could say a story that ended with that picture of MJK glorified anything....

[Tom_Wescott]

Neither do I, Jenni. But people like to complain about stuff. They force their own agendas and biases onto something so they can have something to bitch about. From what I've read of this expo, it delivers in a way no other expo I've read about has. Awesome displays and great talks with no suspect focus.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Natalie Severn]

I was about to make the observation that the East End of the time was replete with victims (of "civilisation" as much, if not more so, than crime) only to note that Stewart has already done so. I'd endorse that view.

Sam,
You are absolutely correct and so is Stewart.But the story that concerns" Jack the Ripper" is the story of battered ,bruised ,murdered and savagely mutilated WOMEN.
Best
Norma

[Jenni Shelden]

Tom,

the talks were great, really even though ive heard Stewart talk before - his talk was still great, it was still fresh

and the exibition, as I keep saying was not terrible - but I still didnt like it!

each to their own.

Jenni

[Tom_Wescott]

Sam,
You are absolutely correct and so is Stewart.But the story that concerns" Jack the Ripper" is the story of battered ,bruised ,murdered and savagely mutilated WOMEN.
Best
Norma

And the men who lost their lives, sanity, and reputations trying to avenge these women don't figure into it all all? My, my, talk about sexist. Get off your damn high horse, woman. Go organize an event about these women if it's so important to you. I'll even come and talk...if men are allowed, that is.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[The Wednesday]

I went to the exhibition and I know crap when I see it - afterall I support Sheffield Wednesday FC! This was not crap.

I am no expert but love to read about JTR etc. I found the exhibition informative and "new" in terms of those who have never seen source documents.

[Natalie Severn]

And the men who lost their lives, sanity, and reputations trying to avenge these women don't figure into it all all? My, my, talk about sexist. Get off your damn high horse, woman. Go organize an event about these women if it's so important to you. I'll even come and talk...if men are allowed, that is.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

Tom,
I think I have said what I wanted to say.Neal"s book shines the light of truth on the women,their lives and the East End.I just hope its on the shelves of the exhibition book shop soon.It deserves to be given pride of place.Hey----your pal Dan published it and a great job he made of it to give him his due.....

[Tom_Wescott]

Natalie,

I'm thinking about getting Lasix surgery so I don't have to wear glasses any more. My eyes can't take contacts.

I mention that because it has about as much to do with the exhibit as Neal's books, which I've been a supporter of since before 90% of the posters here knew his name. I have every book he put out, including the first edition of 'Jack the Ripper & His Victims', a title I'm surprised doesn't make the feminists scream. I had also suggested to Dan Norder long, long ago that he contact Neal Shelden to see if he could publish all his work under one cover. And guess what.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Natalie Severn]

Well I am really glad to know the history of the book , Tom.But I am surprised you dont see it at being of relevance to an exhibition that is supposed to be about Jack the Ripper and the East End.I mean when he was in the East End Jack didnt select men or boys or under age children to kill----well not that we know of.So since he killed women in the East End isnt it important to know something about these women ?Why they were so vulnerable for example?Or as Neal said on Saturday are we only allowed to remember how they earned their doss money and what their corpses looked like?

[Tom_Wescott]

Natalie,

I never said it wasn't of relevance. But you inferred sexism on the part of the people who worked to put this on, and I'd say that's far more unfair than their not shining a spotlight on the victims. But from what I've read, they did discuss the East End quite a bit and it's people. These women were among those people, not separate from them. They're historical figures because of who killed them not because of who they were. To glorify them would be to glorify Jack by proxy. Perhaps that's the view the promoters took? Who knows. I agree the Chapman photo Neal discovered would have made a sensible addition.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Neal Shelden]

Hi Nats,

I do urge you to wait until you see all the exhibits for yourself, before assuming the victims were only represented by the mortuary photos, displayed very discreetly in a separate section.

As has been said, it is not clear yet why certain photos are not on display. But there are certainly plenty of facsimiles of original documents concerning the victims. And it has to be said that, while we would all, I'm sure, agree that it would be super to have much more on show about the victims' lives leading up to the circumstances in which they found themselves seeking shelter or another drink on their last night on earth, we don't know that this is what they would all have wanted; we don't know (until we hear from Neal) that this is what all their descendants want for them; and we don't know that the paying public would prefer more biographical detail about the victims, and perhaps less of some other aspect.

Love,

Caz
X

PS I had bubble and squeak with a poached egg on top to start, followed by pork chop, eel and mash - all beautifully presented, nicely cooked and delicious

Caz, are we certain that the police such as Abberline and others want to be remembered as the men that failed to find Jack the Ripper. He might even embarrassed by his blue plaque.

[Jeff Leahy]

We dont actually know for certain they failed to catch him..

Just that we know they never bought a man to trial

[Sam Flynn]

are we certain that Abberline and others want to be remembered as the men that failed to find Jack the Ripper. He might even embarrassed by his blue plaque.

Never realised his teeth were that bad, Neal

[Neal Shelden]

We dont actually know for certain they failed to catch him..

Just that we know they never bought a man to trial

Yeah I suppose you're right, after all most of them solved it their own minds and named a different suspect.