The Civil War, the most wrenching and bloody episode in American history, may not seem like much of a cause for celebration, especially in the South.
And yet, as the 150th anniversary of the four-year conflict gets under way, some groups in the old Confederacy are planning at least a certain amount of hoopla, chiefly around the glory days of secession, when 11 states declared their sovereignty under a banner of states? rights and broke from the union.
The events include a ?secession ball? in the former slave port of Charleston (?a joyous night of music, dancing, food and drink,? says the invitation), which will be replicated on a smaller scale in other cities. A parade is being planned in Montgomery, Ala., along with a mock swearing-in of Jefferson Davis as president of the Confederacy.
In addition, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and some of its local chapters are preparing various television commercials that they hope to show next year. ?All we wanted was to be left alone to govern ourselves,? says one ad from the group?s Georgia Division.
That some ? even now ? are honoring secession, with barely a nod to the role of slavery, underscores how divisive a topic the war remains, with Americans continuing to debate its causes, its meaning and its legacy.
?We in the South, who have been kicked around for an awfully long time and are accused of being racist, we would just like the truth to be known,? said Michael Givens, commander-in-chief of the Sons, explaining the reason for the television ads. While there were many causes of the war, he said, ?our people were only fighting to protect themselves from an invasion and for their independence.?
Not everyone is on board with this program, of course. The N.A.A.C.P., for one, plans to protest some of these events, saying that celebrating secession is tantamount to celebrating slavery.
Kurt
KurtAdminSoWal2,475 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/us/30confed.html
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43Minnie
MinnieBeach FanaticMemphis4,328 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Minnie, me thinks thou doth protesteth to mucheth.
Methinks that it is much easier to reply with a snappy one liner than it is to really debate an issue with facts.
It's just that I have studied the war extensively and it rubs me that people think it is so one sided. I guess I just expect Americans to know more about one of the most horrific and deadly events of our nation.
Merry Christmas to all, I have presents to wrap. :wave:
Edited
LuciferSam
LuciferSamBannedSowal4,749 postsJoined View profileMessageBanned
Methinks that it is much easier to reply with a snappy one liner than it is to really debate an issue with facts.
It's just that I have studied the war extensively and it rubs me that people think it is so one sided.
Merry Christmas to all, I have presents to wrap. :wave:
No we shouldn't point fingers at the South. After all it only took them 100 years after the Civil War to start to consider basic civil rights and that was only after it was forced upon them.:roll: Now as far as being able to get over it, well, we'll give them another 100 years.
The ruling class wants to keep on ruling. No matter who they have to stand on to do it. I think it's more about preserving a way of life and continuing to do things "the way it's always been done". If you grow up in that system you would probably fight to keep it that way along with your family and neighbors. The moral compass spins and spins after generations of owning slaves. We'd all like to think differently and that we would be better than that. Maybe we would.
Jdarg
JdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
]The ruling class wants to keep on ruling.[/B] No matter who they have to stand on to do it. I think it's more about preserving a way of life and continuing to do things "the way it's always been done". If you grow up in that system you would probably fight to keep it that way along with your family and neighbors. The moral compass spins and spins after generations of owning slaves. We'd all like to think differently and that we would be better than that. Maybe we would.
The crux of the matter.
Did anyone hear the NPR show a month or so ago about how whites will not be the majority by 2010 and the undercurrents and reactions to that shift? There was a term assigned to the fear of no longer being the majority (as in no longer being the most powerful, and how it plays out in culture and politics). Anyway, maybe someone will remember. It was a very interesting program, and explained a lot about the current neoconservative political climate.
The crux of the matter.
Did anyone hear the NPR show a month or so ago about how whites will not be the majority by 2010 and the undercurrents and reactions to that shift? There was a term assigned to the fear of no longer being the majority (as in no longer being the most powerful, and how it plays out in culture and politics). Anyway, maybe someone will remember. It was a very interesting program, and explained a lot about the current neoconservative political climate.
Explains a lot about fear. Whites will continue to hold 99% of wealth and power but being outnumbered by only one sends some into a state of panic, realized or not.
poppypoppyBannedMiramar Beach2,854 postsJoined View profileMessageBanned
The ruling class wants to keep on ruling. No matter who they have to stand on to do it. I think it's more about preserving a way of life and continuing to do things "the way it's always been done". If you grow up in that system you would probably fight to keep it that way along with your family and neighbors. The moral compass spins and spins after generations of owning slaves. We'd all like to think differently and that we would be better than that. Maybe we would.
Change is the biggest fear for many. Whether good or bad for society too many are only concerned how it will effect (affect?) their lives.
LuciferSam
LuciferSamBannedSowal4,749 postsJoined View profileMessageBanned
The ruling class wants to keep on ruling. No matter who they have to stand on to do it. I think it's more about preserving a way of life and continuing to do things "the way it's always been done". If you grow up in that system you would probably fight to keep it that way along with your family and neighbors. The moral compass spins and spins after generations of owning slaves. We'd all like to think differently and that we would be better than that. Maybe we would.
Such systems are riddled with contradictory thinking, inconsistencies, double standards and hypocrisy. Some children will pick up on this and that will present a greater conflict than being a social outcast within that system.
Mango
MangoSoWal InsiderNew York/ Santa Rosa Beach9,699 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
Those who criticize those who take issue Secession Balls are called narrow minded because the celebrants state that they are celebrating States rights, but they are just as guilty for conveniently leaving out an important part of the reason for secession, which was slavery; creating this warm and fuzzy notion about state's empowerment and this being an important part of history.
Disney does the same with Cinderella, empowering little girls with the notion that breaking free of unjust oppression, you will meet Prince Charming and live happily ever after.
Maybe a glass slipper is what the Son's of the Confederacy need to make them feel just about recognizing secession with a Ball, but it still doesn't take away the stench of smelly feet.
Disney does the same with Cinderella, empowering little girls with the notion that breaking free of unjust oppression, you will meet Prince Charming and live happily ever after.
Maybe a glass slipper is what the Son's of the Confederacy need to make them feel just about recognizing secession with a Ball, but it still doesn't take away the stench of smelly feet.
Edited
Such systems are riddled with contradictory thinking, inconsistencies, double standards and hypocrisy. Some children will pick up on this and that will present a greater conflict than being a social outcast within that system.
Every society deals with similar issues. Such is life.
beachFoolbeachFoolBeach Fanatic938 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Money talks and BS walks.
In 1860, South Carolina was the third wealthiest state in the country.
In 2009, the Palmetto state was 45th.
For those historically challenged, the Civil War began in 1861.
In 1860, South Carolina was the third wealthiest state in the country.
In 2009, the Palmetto state was 45th.
For those historically challenged, the Civil War began in 1861.
LuciferSam
LuciferSamBannedSowal4,749 postsJoined View profileMessageBanned
Every society deals with similar issues. Such is life.
It is like that everywhere to at least some degree. Personally growing up I probably was not subject to extreme familial and societal pressure to maintain a particular way of life. I certainly never felt like I was born into the ruling class. [Edit] So in conclusion, I really don't know how I would have reacted to a situation in which the system exerted greater pressure or offered greater rewards.
Edited
Bob
BobSoWal InsiderO'Wal10,368 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
Methinks that it is much easier to reply with a snappy one liner than it is to really debate an issue with facts.America was at the precipice of war well before Ft. Sumter.
It's just that I have studied the war extensively and it rubs me that people think it is so one sided. I guess I just expect Americans to know more about one of the most horrific and deadly events of our nation.
Merry Christmas to all, I have presents to wrap. :wave:
Minnie
MinnieBeach FanaticMemphis4,328 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
I live in a neighborhood where being white is already the minority, and I live in a city where white is the minority, I don't see the change to the national population affecting me. I have lived this change for years. Unlike many we did not move out. We stayed.
I am sure many who do not live in racially mixed communities fear the change.
Hopefully they will learn there is no reason for the concern for truly only by living with change do you soon realize we are very alike.
I am sure many who do not live in racially mixed communities fear the change.
Hopefully they will learn there is no reason for the concern for truly only by living with change do you soon realize we are very alike.
Edited
Geo
GeoBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach, FL2,740 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
It is like that everywhere to at least some degree. Personally growing up I probably was not subject to extreme familial and societal pressure to maintain a particular way of life.
You keep quiet and go up there and get your communion bread like everyone else.
:lolabove:
Thanks for bringing the cat out of retirement. Dude, valley girl or not- that McCain girl is a hotty.
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