A Halloween event for families, “Trail of Treats,” took place in Owensboro, Ky., and one father thought it would be a good idea to dress his 5-year-old as Adolf Hitler and himself as a Nazi soldier.
Bryant Goldbach’s response: Anyone that knows us knows we love history.
The public and social media were not amused.
Goldbach said on Twitter, in defense of his son, that people came up to him shouting obscenities and threatening to rip that costume off him.
This dude is f*cking nuts. Tolerant left.” . You can’t justify this one man.
#nazidad pic.twitter.com/EazvMd4Vt5
Amber Burdette (@AmberBurdette)
October 26, 2018
He initially was angry, telling people how dare they threaten a child.
He continued, “Yes liberalism is alive and well. And we had the displeasure of dealing with the fruits of the so called ‘Tolerant Left.'”
When the backlash continued, Goldbach then told the The Owensboro Times, “I wasn’t trying to make a statement or put my son in any position. It was bad judgment. I want people to know I am sorry.”
“My brother is half-Iranian,” Goldbach said. “I have Black friends. My last name is Jewish.”
Local Rabbi Gary Mazo at Temple Adath B’nai Israel said:
“The fact that the father apologized is important; the fact he did not know the costumes would be offensive is a very sad reflection on our society.
“A good rule of thumb would be: ‘if your costume calls to mind an event where millions were killed, choose another costume.’ As we are learning through Megyn Kelly’s words as well, costumes where someone dresses up deliberately to mock someone’s race, religion or nationality should be avoided. If the purpose of Halloween is to have fun – bigotry, anti-Semitism and racism are not fun. That should be common sense. This is not being “politically correct” this is simply being respectful, understanding and kind.””
While Goldbach performs in both Civil War and World War II reenactments and dressed as a Confederate soldier for Halloween last year, he denied being a racist, referring to white supremacy as “disgusting.”
But waitif he didn’t know the costumes we be offensive, why does it still smell like racism Let’s ask his bride, MaryAnne Goldbach, because she’s not shy about her anti-Semitism. Posts recovered by Huffington Post showed comments in response to the backlash:
“This is what the mass media has portrayed the Holohoax. The truth is the media is controlled by Zionists. The so-called ‘gas chambers’ were delousing showers. He created work camps, not death camps.”
Social media uncovered that Goldbach has had some rhetoric posted on his social media account:
“White pride doesn’t mean hate There is no need to feel guilty because of the past. If that offends you, your racist” said a flyer.
He lives in my town. He owns Goldbach’s Watch Repair on Frederica St. It is not fake
pic.twitter.com/OGS5x832Ev
Les Hail Yes (@LesHailYes)
October 26, 2018
They also claim that he works for Verizon and that his kids are in danger of his parenting:
This is Bryant Goldbach, an employee of yours in Owensboro, KY. He enjoys cosplaying himself and his family as nazis. And follows a few dozen Nazi/right wing extremist groups on social media. But I’m sure he just appreciates history”
pic.twitter.com/paUuepYRmE
Tom Wolfson (@tom_wolfson)
October 26, 2018
@CNN @NBCNews @GMA @TODAYshow Saw this man who calls himself Bryant Goldbach from Owensboro, KY and works for @verizon. This is not ok. @MSNBC @14news pic.twitter.com/DPdeuRhf4O
Amber Burdette (@AmberBurdette) October 26, 2018
Someone from children’s protective services needs to do an interview with the parents! I fear these kids will be taught hate to harm others.
Mary Elizabeth 23 (@OldSoul_1111) October 27, 2018
This tone-deaf act happened just days before a shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue that ended 11 lives.
