I’ve always found it interesting to hear so many Southerners over the years disparage blacks for harping on 300 years of slavery, while at the same time those same Southerners harp on their own grievances from a 4-year war that happened 150 years ago.
I wish people would stop saying “Southerners” when what they really mean is “white Southerners.”
No one was harping on their grievances. I was simply pointing out that they have a different history and perspective. I think that genuinely listening to another’s viewpoint, attempting to understand differences and being sensitive to others are important across the board - race, religion, sex, region, etc.
And what exactly were they butt-hurt over being told by “outsiders” to do? Spell it out. Oh, you mean, like…respect the Constitutional rights of others?
And these are the same people who want black folks to “get over” that whole 250 years of bondage, 150 years of overt and legally sanctioned discrimination, and pretend we are now “post racial”? 
Is it just me, or does there suddenly seem to be an outpouring of sanctimony by some in the North???
Sounds good. So as an African American, what exactly is it that I am to try to be “understanding, and be sensitive to”, concerning some white Southerner’s viewpoint vis-'a-vis the state sponsored display of the Confederate battle flag? Help me out here.
464 - Yeah, slavery didn't effectively end in New Jersey until 1865.
I don’t think anyone on this thread is asking any African American to be sensitive to or understanding of some white racist’s desire to have the state of South Carolina keep flying a flag that is a symbol of hate.
Not sure you were referring to my comment, @overtheedge, but I was thinking when I said “over the years” that people might realize I was not referring to this thread but referring to my years as a Southerner. I apologize for not being more clear.
I happen to love the South and we plan to return there when we retire. I accept the history of slavery with the same sort of feelings I accept the fact of the U.S.'s shameful treatment of the Native Americans. It happened, it’s part of our history, but I sure don’t have to be proud of it - and the idea of waving flags which symbolize it is appalling.
[I actually do have a grievance myself, though. I’ve never understood why people see the Uncle Remus story of Br’er Rabbit and the briar patch as racist. Sorry - I know it’s amazingly OT. ]
That the morons on CNN even asked whether the Jefferson Memorial should come down…Really?
I’m not sure we can take those sorts of comments seriously. People on tv stirring the pot. If you see multiple people starting to advocate it, then maybe it’s a ‘thing’. Until then it’s a straw man. The famous “some say”, when no one’s seriously saying it.
Outsiders. That’s the problem. There are those in the South who have never accepted that the Civil War is over, and that they are now part of the Union again.
Nobody is trying to change the things about southern culture that southerners should hold dear. I am a nortwesterner. We take a certain pride in our northwest style. We hike and boat and recycle and wear wool sweaters and polar fleece. We are farmers, ranchers, orchardists and forest products workers. We are machinists and tech workers and purveyors of locally sources artisan goods. We wear sensible shoes to the opera, listen to public radio, and favor contra dancing. We eat salmon and salmon and more salmon and asian inspired fusion food truck fare. We are slow to warm and famously Nordic in our work ethic and personal relationships. We drink coffee and hoppy beer. We are relatively unchurched but trend towards Lutheran and Unitarian and United Church of Christ. We wait for the light to cross the street. These things are parts of our culture and heritage and things that north westerners are kind of proud of. They help to define who we are.
We also have sad history or taking over land and property from native populations. Japanese American families were rounded up and sent to internment camps during WWII leaving land and property behind. Those are part of our history and help to shape who we are too. Those things are stains on our history.
It seems to me that people are confusing culture and history, though. My state is young and many people who live here now have roots only a generation or two deep. Most individuals don’t feel like they are owning 300 years of shared history. However, we have a very distinctive culture and cling to it fairly staunchly and “outsiders” can like it or not. What I’m not getting is why current southerners are bent out of shape about people criticizing the segregationist history unless they feel like their identity as a region and their identity as an individual is one and the same with that segregationist history. People aren’t attacking your faith or family life or food or musical tastes or sports teams or general habits. If you still hold those views then, yes, you are being judged. If you don’t I don’t understand getting your hackles up over it.
There was an article in the Washington Post (subscription required) questioning whether Washington and Lee University shouldn’t be renamed. Dropping Lee I presume, since they didn’t say that GWU should changed its name. Does someone send these news room people TV and newspapers talking points? Throw out ideas and see what sticks?
But this can’t be denied . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcPGiGvo-uU
Nor can this . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0lD37bq8YI
Feelings don’t change overnight but in one fell swoop the Alabama governor took down George Wallace’s flags today. That is a momentous occasion and he just had the maintenance workers go out and do it. BAM!
I would add to post #472 that my state has serious ongoing human rights issues with the treatment of migrant farm workers. Much of the same “way of life” language is thrown about. Similar economic argument are brought forth. Similar us and them lines are drawn. Others can point this out and rightly criticize but it wouldn’t get the same “you’re looking down your noses at us” response.
@saintfan - Even the uber-racist George Wallace apologized for his views near the end of his life.
[Hate group that inspired Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof pays no taxes by registering as non-profit under rules supposed to ‘promote the common good’](Hate group that inspired Charleston shooter Dylann Roof pays no federal taxes | Daily Mail Online)
Yes, and I as well as many other African American’s (including some prominent ones conservatives love to hate) forgave him, because when a person humbly admits his error and apologizes sincerely, it becomes difficult to continue hating him. That’s how forgiveness works, you see.
Wow, these typos. I of course meant, African Americans, sans apostrophe.