“You are trying my patience! As an Official Archivist, you have received many grants from the Glorious National Government to study this ancient photo. Surely after all these years you have reached a conclusion. We must have a true account published!”
“Lord Prefect, I am close to the truth, but I still need more time. I wish my findings to be as accurate as possible. For posterity’s sake.”
“Enough! The Ministry of Everything You Need To Know has prepared a statement for you that matches with our harmonised historical accounts of that period. This is the one you will release.”
“As you wish, Lord Prefect. But I have other similar photos in my possession. Would I be able to obtain grants to study them in depth for several years, before reading an official pronouncement?”
“I will make the arrangements.”
The official statement reads:
‘The much-loved Britain First (To Accept Diverse Culture And Give A Big Welcome For Foreigners) Movement hold one of their family-friendly urban strolls. In this unique celebration of cultures ancient and modern, there is room for all. Without any hint of bigotry, racism or any other unpleasantness, these ‘cheeky chappies’ seek to represent and celebrate all that is good with Britain in the early 21st century. Just one of many such happy, informal meet-and-greet sessions.’
This story is inspired by the photo supplied by Al Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction, February 28th 2016. For more details click the logo.
To view other stories written for this challenge, please click here.
Walk the Self-Talk 
War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength.
doublethink!
Thanks. There’s a definite nod to 1984 here. The Government is prepared to revise history to fit it’s own narrative.
I hope they noticed that black car has a foreign number plate! Welcome one and all – well, nearly all.
I Protest (that’s my story, not a comment!)
Thanks. They’re probably the sort of people who like a lager and a curry because they think those things are purely British!
This is great — a wonderful portrayal of how different things in the past might look to us than they did at the time.
Thanks. I wonder how often history has been rewritten before it reaches us?
Always? 😉
Nice piece of satire, Steve.
Thanks. I found this a difficult prompt to write about, without really letting rip.
That is why I made the comment in my intro and then walked away from it.
I confess that I sometimes struggle to remember that these morons have a right to an opinion, however poisonous, as long as they do not cross the line into violence, or incitement.
That’s a fair point.
I see some hint of a dystopian reality, trying to make the past look more like a Eutopia. Neither are true of course. Great. Write!
Thanks. I think it’s better to face head-on, elements of our past that are unpleasant rather than try to sanitise them.
Yes, very true!
Great tale — ignorance is bliss as I didn’t know the true meaning of the photo (guessed as I read other stories).
As to how often history is rewritten — every generation at least, and in some places, every government. My history isn’t my parents’ history which isn’t my great-neices’ history.
Sharpie markers have done so well as they make a permanent black that lasts and lasts.
Thanks. We only have to look at how different media outlets report the same event (or ignore it) to realise how there is no “true” version, just opinions.
I could not stop laughing at that. That should be their slogan. See how much it winds them up LOL. Great story.
Thanks. Somehow, I can’t see them adopting it!
Nicely done and so true to historical re visionary form – not being a news hound and not being British either – I was completely unaware of what the photo represented … I liked your use of irony!
Thanks. 🙂
History made to fit someone’s opinion or understanding or preferences. Sadly true.
Thanks for the comment. 🙂
The Ministry of Everything You Need to Know haha. Loved reading your story. It was fun, it was silly, and it was well written. Great job 🙂
Thanks for your comment, and the Follow!
How funny. I love The Ministry of Everything You Need to Know!
Thanks for the comment and the follow!
You are welcome.
“The Ministry of Everything You Need To Know has prepared a statement for you” Interesting???
Thanks. The Ministry doesn’t exactly sound legit!