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All the perplexities, confusion and distress in America arise, not from defects in their Constitution or Confederation, not from want of honor or virtue, so much as from the downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit and circulation.
John Adams
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Always Remember How You Felt That Day
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Congressman West Reaction to Congressional Black Caucus Statements
(WASHINGTON) ---- Congressman Allen West (FL-22) sent this letter today to Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, regarding recent comments about the Tea Party made by members of the CBC.
Excerpts from the letter:
"It is unconscionable when a fellow CBC Member, Congressman Andre Carson, comes to South Florida and claims that some in the Tea Party would love to see black Americans 'hanging on a tree.' It is appalling to hear another CBC colleague, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, say 'The Tea Party can go straight to hell.'
"As Chairman of the CBC, I believe it is incumbent on you to both condemn these types of hate-filled comments, and to disassociate the Congressional Black Caucus from these types of remarks. Otherwise, I will have to seriously reconsider my membership within the organization."
"Congressman Carson's desire to generally criticize a large grassroots group as racist is baseless and desperate. When individuals believe they are defeated in a political disagreement, they normally resort to race-baiting, which in my opinion is in itself racist."
"As a member of the CBC, I look forward to working with you to help end this practice. All of us, especially Congressman Carson, Congresswoman Waters and others who have engaged in racially-motivated rhetoric, should follow the example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., not the example of Reverend Jeremiah Wright."
(WASHINGTON) ---- Congressman Allen West (FL-22) sent this letter today to Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, regarding recent comments about the Tea Party made by members of the CBC.
Excerpts from the letter:
"It is unconscionable when a fellow CBC Member, Congressman Andre Carson, comes to South Florida and claims that some in the Tea Party would love to see black Americans 'hanging on a tree.' It is appalling to hear another CBC colleague, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, say 'The Tea Party can go straight to hell.'
"As Chairman of the CBC, I believe it is incumbent on you to both condemn these types of hate-filled comments, and to disassociate the Congressional Black Caucus from these types of remarks. Otherwise, I will have to seriously reconsider my membership within the organization."
"Congressman Carson's desire to generally criticize a large grassroots group as racist is baseless and desperate. When individuals believe they are defeated in a political disagreement, they normally resort to race-baiting, which in my opinion is in itself racist."
"As a member of the CBC, I look forward to working with you to help end this practice. All of us, especially Congressman Carson, Congresswoman Waters and others who have engaged in racially-motivated rhetoric, should follow the example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., not the example of Reverend Jeremiah Wright."
Heritage not Hate: Celebrating Southern History and Culture
by Anthony Mathison on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 5:40am
December 20th will mark the 150th anniversary of the secession of the State of South Carolina from the United States of America. Many across the South will mark this date with a celebration of Southern history and culture; myself included. But why? This is what I hope to address with this note.
First of all, I am proud to be a Southern American. It was truly by the grace of God that I am a Southerner as I was born in Maryland, the daughter of Virginia and the northernmost state of the South. I live in and love South Carolina however, and my father's side of the family (from Alabama and South Carolina) raised me staunchly in the traditions of Southern culture. My beloved grandfather flies a Confederate flag at his home and I was taught to respect the "Rebel flag" from a young age. I myself have flown the saltire of Dixie and have done so proudly. Some of my greatest heroes and role models are Gen. Stonewall Jackson, P.G.T. Beauregard, and Gen. Robert E. Lee. I am not ashamed of this aspect of my heritage, no more than I am ashamed of being Hispanic or Roman Catholic.
Many people however look curiously on me for this. For many, Southern history and even culture seems tainted by slavery, racism, and ignorance.
I am not unaware of this perception, but I firmly disagree with it. First I will address the insufficiency and error of various myths about Southern history, heritage, and culture.
1. The Slavery Issue
Any objective historian knows, however difficult it might be for them to accept, that slavery played a major role in the South's formation and later secession from the Union. This reality also demonstrably led to the racism and white supremacy that appeared throughout the South during and after Reconstruction. It cannot be stated enough how much of an evil the racial slavery practiced by the South really was. No-one can nor should defend the "peculiar institution" of Southern slavery. Period. That being said, the Civil War was about more than just slavery. Though the continuation of slavery was the central issue of contention behind the South's secession, that was in some sense a face to a larger issue of self-determination and the rights of the states. While I do not accept the notion that it was state's rights alone which made Southerners fight and die during the Civil War, I equally reject the idea that it was slavery alone that did this. No, it was a combination of the two and for Southerners during the Civil War these concepts were inextricably intertwined. The vast majority of Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War did not own slaves, nor were they fighting merely to maintain slavery. This must be kept in mind. To be Southern, and indeed even to be a Confederate sympathizer, does NOT mean that one accepts slavery. The truth is far too nuanced to be reduced to such an absurd reality.
2. Racial Issues
Another common criticism of the South is racism, prejudice, and bigotry. It is true that these sad realities have existed in the South, and at times were quite virulent. We should remember however that racism and indeed white supremacy is not a strictly Southern phenomenon. Racism was quite rampant in the North and the West throughout American history. That being said, being Southern is not about being white and Protestant. This is a common misconception about Southern culture and history due in part, perhaps, to the fact that most Southerners are white and Protestant. The reality is that the South has always been a place of great diversity. This is a demonstrable historical fact; so much so that I simply don't have the time to do justice to it by citing examples. I will offer one however: during the Civil War, entire Confederate battalions consisted solely of Roman Catholics (mostly from Texas and Louisiana). Irish brigades were fairly common in the Confederate army and chaplains of almost every sort of Christianity worked and moved through the army.
It is also important to remember that the constitution of the Southern culture is, like the larger American culture, an amalgamation of various distinct and diverse origins. Southern culture is the progeny of Scottish, English, Irish, African, Hispanic, Mexican, French, Creole, Native American, Italian, and many other cultures and traditions. No one group can claim to be the Southern culture. Thus, the common image of the Southerner as a white, land-owning Protestant is an inaccurate myth. Many "minorities" have played and continue to play important roles in Southern society, especially Blacks and Hispanics. Any groups who claim to be promoters of "Southern heritage" and disparage the importance and reality of ethnic and religious diversity in the South are charlatans who do not know their own history.
3. The Myth of Southern Ignorance
A common concept of Southerners is that they are ignorant country folk. Granted, this perception is based in reality but it is an exaggeration. Intellectual debate and discourse was prevalent in the South throughout its history. Part of the reason why it is difficult to trace and document this is due to the fact that much of antebellum Southern literature and documentation was lost during the devastation of the Civil War (caused in turn by a truly barbaric campaign waged by Union Gen. Sherman). Nevertheless, numerous historians have noted the presence of Southern intellectual life. Music, visual art, literature, poetry, and numerous other expressions of high culture and intellectualism are both now and then important parts of what it means to be a Southern American. I will leave the reader to do the research for him or herself on this point, as I feel that the evidence is open and clear for all who wish to look.
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1. Self-Determination
One of the major reasons why the Civil War looms large in the Southern consciousness is because it evokes images of the desire for freedom and self-determination that beats in the Southern bosom. Southern cultures places great emphasis on the notion that every individual and community should have the right to choose for themselves their own path. This is related to the Southern tradition of self-sufficiency. For the Southerner, the government nor any other earthly institution has the right to command an individual or community to act against their conscience. On this point, the South has shed and is willing to again shed her blood to maintain that freedom of choice.
2. Sense of Religion
Another aspect of the South that is often noted by Southerner and non-Southerner is the South's strong religious expression. Though the majority of Southern Americans are Christian, there is a great deal of diversity amongst denominations and churches. Despite this, Southern culture and history has always placed great emphasis on the need to honor and love God.
3. Patriotism
The South holds patriotic feeling in high esteem. Even the secession from the Union that led to the Civil War was motivated in part by the desire to restore the America of the Founders (from the secessionist's point of view of course). To be Southern is to be an American and to hold in esteem the nationalist ethos of the larger United States.
4. Sense of Family & Community
Southern culture places high emphasis on the importance and role of the family, and through that, to the larger community. There is a strong sense of responsibility and the need to work for the greater good of others while at the same time maintaining one's own autonomy. This is expressed in the Southern value of hard-work, honesty, and courtesy.
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Non-Southerners have often noted the prevalence of "Southern hospitality." The South has always leaned towards chivalric behavior. In our modern day this is often seen as repressed (especially in regard to women) and at times even barbaric (e.g. honor duels). However, these notions of proper decorum, speech, and action have played immense roles in the formation of Southern culture and society.
In conclusion, it is my contention that the Southern heritage is something of which one should be proud. Being a Southerner does not mean supporting slavery, promoting racism, defending religious or ethnic bigotry, engaging in treason, and/or standing against the larger American ideal. On the contrary, the Southern culture is an intrinsic part of America and deserves to be recognized as such. Groups and individuals who use Southern heritage as an excuse for racism, hatred, or any other evil taint the true history and culture of the South. They should be shunned as imbeciles of society and moreover they are affronts to the South itself.
And so, I will continue my grandfather's tradition of flying the Confederate flag...even if this is simply keeping a small hand-flag in my room or office. When I hoist that banner however, I will do so remembering the true (historical and cultural) meaning behind those colors. I do not raise that flag in order to proclaim a perverse support of racism. I do not raise that banner in support of the abomination of racial slavery. I do not raise that flag in order to offend others, though I am aware that such a thing may occur. I do not raise that flag against the flag of my country, the United States of America.
No, I raise that flag to celebrate all the good that the South was, is, and will become. I raise that flag against those who misuse it to support hatred. I raise the Confederate flag alongside the Stars and Stripes, and always underneath the latter. I raise that flag not to offend, but rather to celebrate what and who I am.
To end this little missive, I wish to provide some quotes from one of my great heroes. Robert E. Lee, though he fought against the Union, did not believe in slavery nor was he enthusiastic about secession. He is my own model of what it means to speak of Southern pride as being "heritage not hate."
"So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that Slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interest of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this that I would have cheerfully lost all that I have lost by the war, and have suffered all that I have suffered to have this object attained."
~ General Robert E. Lee
I wish you success in your quest to live your life on your terms.
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