The present lack of agreement between the ASA and the heads of the INF in Europe is due to an entirely friendly rejection by the ASA of the principles and practices of the INF. Nudism in the early days of Kurt Barthel was intended to be a peaceful activity for mental and physical health. Somewhere along the way American nudism took upon itself the cloak of a Crusade for Righteousness and proceeded to assert itself with more energy than discretion. Hopeful members withdrew from the ASA and remained aloof until their number was great enough to return control of the national association to leaders of sanity and sound judgment.
This entirely democratic and American action is something the European leaders do not understand. The fact that in the great United States of America the officers of the principal nudist organizations should stand for election, and even if defeated, continue to work for the good of the movement is something which is not part of the European ideology. The theory in Europe is to gain control and once at the top to hold on at all costs. It is what in America would be called a movement of small dictators.
Boone and Knapp were able to make an appearance at Montalivet and admit their separation from the ASA. But their story had logic. As nudist leaders they were subject to brutal persecution and ungracious treatment so they had, in defense, reformed their forces into not one but three nudist groups in the USA. Rallying to the call of a friend in need the European leaders, or at least the most expressive ones, decided to uphold the claims of their friend from the United States. Although the INF has a motto, “More Light” the leaders prefer to close their eyes to obvious truths. The Official Record of Montalivet was admittedly altered to protect a friend. The proposed Statutes were edited by the same friend all to show their confidence in him. The executive group of the INF which should be above reproach is but a sorry buddies club.
ASA national group leaders will stand aghast at the proposals offered for amity. In all seriousness it is proposed the United States nudists can easily be reunited by the simple device of substituting Barthel for Knapp as mouthpiece for Boone.
In the minds of the ASA leaders the INF was on trial and probation at Montalivet. For that reason this writer, as official delegate, refused to be overly perturbed by the trend of events. Now from afar comes the plaintive wail, “Why did Dr Emerson tell so plainly what happened in the Meetings?” Strangely enough it is not the Emerson honesty which is bemoaned but the incisive reporting he did.
The present leaders of the ASA have a measure of dismay but no great concern over the present situation. There is too much to be done here at home. The results of two hectic decades of the wrong kind of publicity must be undone. Nudism is to be presented to the more intelligent citizens of the United States as a sane and sensible activity for the preservation of mental and physical health. Good citizenship and personal reputation is a prime requisite with nudist interest second. A membership campaign is to be conducted on conservative lines. No longer will ASA memberships be sold in the open market like stocks and bonds to any who wish them and will pay the going price.
Active and healthy public relations will be fostered by close cooperation with all civic authorities and that includes the United States Post office Department.
The door is not closed permanently to the INF by the ASA. The ASA is building slowly and with care for permanence. Qualified applicants are accepted and that applies to individuals, families and International associations.
Forrest Emerson
Delegate of the ASA to the 3rd annual conference of the INF at Montalivet
(Source: The Nudist Newsletter, Issue Number 33, 1954)
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