Unfortunately many of us only see what is offered by the Press who may not be exactly unbiased. The day to day news, much like the positive progress in Iraq is not all that 'newsworthy'. I still have confidence in the 'foot soldiers' of the SCV to prevail longterm. I'll hear more about the convention Thursday night.
I too have great faith in the "foot soldiers" as you call them, Larry. This thing has been built up by the press because they are always looking for ways to discredit the SCV and other organizations like it.
It is all too apparent when they give such huge coverage to anything connected with the NAACP or the SPLC. And of course Jesse Jackson gets coverage if he brushes his teeth.
__________________ Thea
No one has permission to use any material from any of my posts on any CWT forum, the archives, or any other forum without my express written permission.
Where were all these folks when the KKK took the battle flag for their own?
My guess is the same place that other Americans were when the KKK uses the Stars and Stripes. Which they have used and still use far more than the CBF. But I agree the SCV should have at least went on record more often opposing the KKK.
Concerning the current issues in the SCV. I have to wonder just how much of it is new COINTELPRO type stuff. I recall an old FBI joke. Something like, how can you tell an undercover FBI operative in the KKK (or any radical org)? He is the one with the bomb/torch/gun in his hands. The FBI's recent listings of "redneck" groups as 'terror' threats would lead me to believe Mr Hoover's lads are still happy at work. I, for one, have never had faith in thier motives. No reason I should. Just my NSHO.
Back to the 'foot soldier' concept for a moment. The average SCV member never comes in contact with the 'politically active' "national" leaders. That might be a good thing in some obvious respects. Service to the cause of heritage preservation can be done at home and often is. Many of us don't get involved in the disperse national organization just as most citizens don't work in the democrat or republican parties, aside from a few seconds inside the curtain when voting. The SCV has approximately 35,000 members while the SUV can muster only about 6,000. That difference is perhaps not because the southerners are waging war or a national takeover, but merely the fact that we love the south and are proud of our heritage and the fact our ancestors, both blue and gray, gave what they had to defend their native land and their farms, kids, wives and honor. Besides, we just like to hear Dixie.
Why is it necessary to promote one's heritage? Many of the veterans, both GAR and UCV, buried the divided America with their dead. Many blacks find the battle flag offensive. Many whites find Kwanza offensive. Many gentiles find Jews offensive. Jews are sensative about the use of swastikas.
European ethnic groups have a wonderful 4,000 year history of hatred, based on religion, regional divisions or other seemingly trivial things. Since we Americans are a melting pot, we tend to want to shove one set of "our heritage" down another goup's throats. To what purpose? Why would a person who enjoys the freedom this country affords, intentionally flaunt an offensive anything to prove a point?
Maybe the reason the SCV has 35,000 member and the UCV has 6,000 is that more Union decendants "get it".
As an American, each one of us has the freedoms afforded by the Bill of Rights. Well, for now. Instead of bickering about "Southern Heritage", griping about the ACLU or the NAACP, we need to be politically active, VOTE. Yeah you can hear me. It saddens me how few vote.
More importantly, we are Americans. (I wish I could find that speach by John Wayne.) Does it matter what color or religion a young Marine in Iraq happens to be? Hell no. Why would anyone want to offend a brave young man or woman, serving their country, to make a point about your third great-grandfather. Should we remember, sure.
This is the test.
Education breeds tolerance. Once the SCV found itself on the other side of tolerance, they moved away from rememberance to social activism that could potentially offend. Defend it as you may, a national organizational structure that promotes/condones one set of Americans over another drifts from my personal idea of what America is all about.
I have a CD changer in my car. I listen to Dixie when I want. Why roll the windows down unless I am trying to offend someone with my rights.
Sorry for the long post. I sincerely hope the SCV comes to its senses.
Thank you, Ringo, for an insightful post. Celebrating one's heritage has nothing to do with inserting needles into those who might disagree. Just do it. On your own. Privately.
On the other hand, it can be delightful to twit the other side occasionally.
Ringo, I agree with your thoughts in their entirety. Same with Ole. Ringo wrote:
"Should we remember, sure." That's all the SCV is or SHOULD be about. The news came last evening that both proposals before the called convention passed by margins of 96 and 93 percent, or so I recall. This will eliminate much of the embarrassing squabling at least for the time being. Anyone remember parents at little league baseball, football, or basketball who fussed and caused discontent? I'm afraid many civil war buffs may be the same folks in reenacting disguise. I'll be surprised if the results of this convention get much news coverage. An exercise of sensibility and democracy sometimes doesn't make the headlines.
Well, everyone is indeed entitled to their opinions. Very much so. So by all means, hide your pride, hide your interests and your beliefs in a closet. Do not expose yourself. Act ashamed. Do not dare offend anyone.
Thing is, no one can make me angry or upset. I am responsible for my own feelings. I refuse to let others dictate to me what I should feel. If I have a 'symbol' that is representative of anything, it is MY choice what it means. I get to decide. If it bothers other people. If it means something else to them, then that is their issue. Not mine. I do not think people realize just how totalitarian this is. Do not forget, one reason they wish to do away with the very existence of the CBF is as a symbol of Rebellion. Conformity. Homogenization. Personally, I refuse to conform. It just is not in me. I am, in all regards, an Unreconstructed Rebel. As is my Inalienable Right. My instinct is to resist coercion.
Yes sir. You are entitled to do whatever you want regarding your heritage within the limits of the law. Let me ask you several things:
1. What does it mean to be an "Unreconstructed Rebel"?
2. Why is the battle flag a symbol of heritage? I understoo it as an instrument of order on a field of honor. Isn't it just an historical artifact?
3. Since you are responsible for your own feelings and it is perfectly acceptable for folks to impose their opinions on others, how do you react when someone impugns your mother's heritage?
My only point is, why would you purposefuly insult another person? If you realize waving your heritage around would offend a black person or a Jew, why would you offend someone you do not even know? The affect of such contact only breeds the very reaction you are trying to avoid.
Preserving ones heritage is also composed of saving those precious items. The Museum of the Confederacy, the battlefields and other private museums that just get by while literally millions of dollars are squandered by the bickering.
Maybe some people see preserving heritage as parading down an avenue, waiving some bastardized form of the battle flag while dealing with media coverage that makes everyone involved look like a "bubba the bigot". I think there are more effective ways.
Yep, I am entitled to my opinion.
__________________ Ringo
"My daddy is a reenacting hero!"
Last edited by rin1; 04-30-2005 at 07:14 PM.
Reason: None
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