Update: After last night's beating, I thought it would be helpful to those that truly care about History to have a few references relating to Black Confederate Soldiers. Here is an excerpt from a site that should be read by everyone claiming to profess knowledge of the South, The Confederate Flag and/or The Civil War. Note the how often the word "pride" is used. http://www.37thtexas.org/
Black Confederate heritage is beginning to receive the attention it deserves. For instance, Terri Williams, a black journalist for the Suffolk "Virginia Pilot" newspaper, writes: "I've had to re-examine my feelings toward the [Confederate] flag started when I read a newspaper article about an elderly black man whose ancestor worked with the Confederate forces. The man spoke with pride about his family member's contribution to the cause, was photographed with the [Confederate] flag draped over his lap that's why I now have no definite stand on just what the flag symbolizes, because it no longer is their history, or my history, but our history."
Hardy is an African American man that has a passion for reenactments of the Civil War and educating the public on the true history of it:
Whether it's the Chancellorsville excursion or at a more public event, Hardy has no qualms about marching under a flag that many consider a symbol of racism, if not of slavery itself. For him, the Stars and Bars and the Stars and Stripes remain complicated, even elusive, images. After all, blacks have fought and died under each banner while living as second-class citizens. "I understand that there were men back in that time who marched under the Confederate flag for various reasons - whites as well as blacks. Some didn't even know the reason, but they were out there giving their blood." That simple sacrifice, whatever the motive, is good enough for Hardy.
Useful Newspaper articles from the same site:
http://www.37thtexas.org/...
I was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1959. Most folks know Birmingham's history, especially as it relates to Civil Rights and racist hatred that was prevalent during the 60s. What many across the country do not know though is how deep rooted the hatred was and still is. When Carter explained that he "grew up in the South", there was for me a special meaning to those words. To know it, you have to grow up here, be white and hear what those who are different do not have privilege to hear.
I am a woman that was born into a poor Catholic family at a time when racism was not only rampant, but if you felt any other way in the South, as a white person, you were worse than the lowest of what any black person could have been perceived. I learned at an early age that it was best to keep my mouth shut and be a good little girl. Then the teenage years hit and all hell broke loose. I not only didn't keep my mouth shut, I did not keep my friends or beliefs about anyone or anything secret. I became an outcast, a "nigger lover". I watched my sweet Mama cry over it, and to this day, may her soul rest in peace, but there is only one other sibling out of us seven "good Catholic" family members that truly knew how our Mama felt about racism and black folk. She instinctively knew what was right, but she also feared that what any other white person, including her grown children and other family members would say or do if they knew how she truly felt and believed. So, I am still an "outcast" in my family. I tell you this because there is an undeniable truth to what Jimmy Carter said and as sad as it is, he is accurate in his summation.
What I disagree with is the reporting from folks outside of Southern heritage that are relating Joe Wilson's outburst to racism by using his fight for keeping the Confederate flag flying over the Capital of South Carolina. I understand that the flag may offend some people, it may even represent racism to some people, but it also represents much more to many more. There is a pride that is inherent in Southerners regardless of their skin color or ethnicity. We Southerners are a very proud folk. We are strong, hard working, loving and kind. We are also very forgiving. Regardless of our color of skin, we love the South and we are proud to share it with those that have never experienced our culture, the wonderful parts of our culture that is unequaled anywhere else in this country. Where else in the world can you enjoy Southern Hospitality? Or the blues that originated from the toil and heartbreak of our ancestors? We are also rebels. The rebel spirit is ingrained in every Southerner I have ever known, it is what the Confederate flag represents to most of us. We are Cherokee, Creek, German, Irish, Italian, African, Arabic, Mexican, and Asian, we are a mixed breed but one thing we all have in common, we are Southern and damn proud of it.
It is true that many racist organizations use the Confederate flag as their symbol for promoting their radical and hate-filled beliefs, but the original Confederate flag was never intended in that way. And for most of us Southerners, it never will. I have no problem with it being taken down, but I do have problems with it being referred to as a racist symbol. It is a rebel symbol. A symbol of fighting for what you believe is right. In that aspect, I have no problem with Joe Wilson standing up for that part of the Deep South's heritage. He was out of line, wrong and he may be racist, for his outburst but his standing up for the flag of "Dixie" to fly has nothing to do with anything but heritage and pride.
Yes, we get things wrong in the South, yes, we are sometimes slow (actually we like it that way) and yes we have problems, but let's not do what we condemn by making things up and rush to judgment. Let's not try and prove him racist, if he is he will do a fine job of showing it in due time.
For further reading on misconceptions about the South, Birmingham in particular, please check out this article: http://www.pavomag.com/...