Jump to content

Menu

How Northerners Think Of The Civil War


Carol in Cal.
 Share

Recommended Posts

Pretty much, we don't.

 

It doesn't resonate with us. What resonates with us is the Revolutionary War, and maybe WWII.

Funny, because I grew up in the Midwest and never gave the Civil War much thought. There was a movie about it that shed some light on how awful it was. I think I have never lived far enough east to be in a place that was involved in the Civil War.

 

I do think people shouldn't try to erase history or rewrite it or damage or remove historical monuments. I can see a monument being moved to a different spot, like a museum of sorts.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My alarm is set to an news station. When it woke me this morning it was s story about a local Confederate memorial of Jefferson Davis placed in the 1960s by The Daughters of the Confederacy that was tarred and feathered over night. This is more of that bizarre Old South thinking-why there was a memorial made and placed at all is beyond me. It seems to me the fact that it was done in the 1960s is a statement about racial politics in the 1960s. Sort of a "We long for the good old days when there were slaves." This isn't The South, so culturally it's grossly out of place, but some women venerate their ancestors who lost a war and now that ridiculous memorial is here as an embarrassment to AZ. And no, if you were alive in 1960 you most certainly are not a daughter of the Confederacy, you're a descendant of people who participated in the evil of slavery. I honestly believe this reverent attitude toward ancestors who fought for The South is a form of idolatry. There. I said it.

My ancestors who had slaves lived in the north and had grandparents who were American Indian.

 

Nothing about the Civil has ever been as simple as the north were heros who road in to save blacks in the south from slavery. In fact, the north still wanted to keep slavery in states that were already a part of the union and only wanted to free slaves who would take up arms and fight the south. That means they didn't care about freeing the women, children, elderly, or even the people who refused to fight.

 

The Civil War was very complex. There were a lot of issues at hand. It was not the stupid simple racist thing people have tried to reduce it to. https://www.google.com/amp/amp.history.com/news/5-things-you-may-not-know-about-lincoln-slavery-and-emancipation

 

We can't erase history, although many have tried to pretend they can rewrite it. But we should learn from it.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm in semi-rural WI near Milwaukee. I've honestly only seen it on one truck and one house. I am very sensitive to it & find it jarring to see. So I'm not saying it isn't here - it clearly is, but I'm sure it varies by community. I would not consider it normal or commonplace. Surprisingly, I only saw those two incidents since the last election cycle. & I've lived here over 10 years.

I don't know. I don't think I would ever find it jarring. A Swaskitka or that black ISIS flag would upset me though.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm just kind of unclear as to how people of later generations talk about their family history if the first generations following the war didn't. Or maybe it's just that some did, and those are more likely to be vocal about what happened, making it seem like more people talk about their family history and the Civil War.

 

As an aside, my family experience of WWII is of course not comparable to the a Southerner's experience of the CW - we were neutral, were invaded, and then in the end "won" on the allied side - we didn't "lose" the war (in quotes because everybody loses in war). I also wonder if my grandparents maybe thought the stuff that happened to them was too minor, when you know what happened to the Jews etc (and my grandfather's (great?)grandfather was a Jew who'd moved from Germany to NL and converted to christianity in the 19th century, so he could probably imagine all too well how things could've gone differently... he hid for a few months near the end of the war to avoid being drafted, and as mentioned above on the other side of my family my grandmother seemed more ticked off by losing her father when she was 4 to a WWI-related sea mine... she told that story a number of times... though I think some things just weren't talked about... she had two miscarriages during WWII, related to stress and less-than-ideal nutrition (her husband was forced to work in Germany as a baker... like I said, minor stuff), but people just didn't talk about miscarriages (actually, for the most part, I think people still tend to not talk about them)... I think I was told about them only one time, never to be mentioned again, and only because I directly asked about what WWII was like for them).

My mom never talked about what it was like to grow up in the aftermath. She escaped Germany as soon as she finished school, only to be called a host of ugly names in the countries she worked in (England and France). She has told me she had NO IDEA why the other au pairs were so cruel to her; it took immigrating to the US to find out. Discrimination ran thick, despite the fact she too suffered as much as they.

 

She only very recently shared a few personal anecdotes with me, when we were together in her hometown. The corner where she and her brother would try to steal apples, the neighbourhood bomb shelter, being pushed to elementary school in a stroller because she was too weak and malnourished to walk the few blocks. It's no wonder she was loathe for so many decades to return.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My ancestors who had slaves lived in the north and had grandparents who were American Indian.

 

Nothing about the Civil has ever been as simple as the north were heros who road in to save blacks in the south from slavery. In fact, the north still wanted to keep slavery in states that were already a part of the union and only wanted to free slaves who would take up arms and fight the south. That means they didn't care about freeing the women, children, elderly, or even the people who refused to fight.

 

The Civil War was very complex. There were a lot of issues at hand. It was not the stupid simple racist thing people have tried to reduce it to. https://www.google.com/amp/amp.history.com/news/5-things-you-may-not-know-about-lincoln-slavery-and-emancipation

 

We can't erase history, although many have tried to pretend they can rewrite it. But we should learn from it.

 

The bolded is a bit more complex than you imply.  It wasn't that "North" still wanted to keep slavery in the border states, but rather that  Lincoln was using his authority as commander-in-chief of the armed forces to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which meant it could only be applied in areas in open rebellion.  Ending slavery for the nation would have to be done via Congress/the Amendment process.

 

Part of your statement is just flat out false, as the Proclamation applied to over 3 million slaves in the Confederacy and had nothing to do with only freeing slaves who fought the Confederacy. 

 

Before you accuse others of rewriting history I suggest you get your facts correct.

Edited by ChocolateReignRemix
  • Like 12
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've experienced more racism and confederate flags in Iowa and Indiana than anywhere else in my life and I was born and raised in small town Texas. We have to pass two homes daily that fly the confederate flag just to get to school. We also see trucks flying them often. This is most definitely not just a Southern thing. Dh was born and raised in California and he's often discussed how ridiculous his education was regarding confederate soldiers (meaning it was too much and they were way too revered). 

I've seen significantly more Confederate flags in my family's area of Southern Indiana then I have in Murfreesboro TN.  The difference is that where my family lives it is rural and the demographics break down like this= White Alone 93%, Black alone .7%, two or more races 1.2%.  Where as Murfreesboro is much more racially mixed (thankfully).  I promise in towns like Corydon (0.5% Black), Loogootee, (0.1% Black), Paoli (0.5% Black), and other small rural towns racism is alive and kicking.  I refuse to visit my mom's house during holidays because her husbands friends and relatives might visit and the things that come out of these people's mouths.... I don't want my children to ever hear those words spoken.  There is so much more to say on the subject but this is the Chat Board not the Political Board so I'll leave it at that if you haven't seen them (the flags) in S. Indiana then you must not be paying attention.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My ancestors who had slaves lived in the north and had grandparents who were American Indian.

 

Nothing about the Civil has ever been as simple as the north were heros who road in to save blacks in the south from slavery. In fact, the north still wanted to keep slavery in states that were already a part of the union and only wanted to free slaves who would take up arms and fight the south. That means they didn't care about freeing the women, children, elderly, or even the people who refused to fight.

 

The Civil War was very complex. There were a lot of issues at hand. It was not the stupid simple racist thing people have tried to reduce it to. https://www.google.com/amp/amp.history.com/news/5-things-you-may-not-know-about-lincoln-slavery-and-emancipation

 

We can't erase history, although many have tried to pretend they can rewrite it. But we should learn from it.

 

No one said it wasn't complex.  The fact is Northern States managed to end slavery there but the Southern states didn't until they were defeated in a war and forced by someone else to end it-that comes from something.  Something really bad.  So does putting up a statue of Jefferson Davis in AZ in the 1960s.

 

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm in semi-rural WI near Milwaukee. I've honestly only seen it on one truck and one house. I am very sensitive to it & find it jarring to see. So I'm not saying it isn't here - it clearly is, but I'm sure it varies by community. I would not consider it normal or commonplace. Surprisingly, I only saw those two incidents since the last election cycle. & I've lived here over 10 years.

Aside from three years for college and a couple of years where dh and I live in MN, I've lived in WI my whole life. I've seen it and it hasn't just been over the last few years. I saw it when I was in high school 20 some years ago. It may be rare, it may not be as common as it may be elsewhere (to which I can't really attest because again, I've pretty much only lived in this one state), but to say it isn't a thing is inaccurate.

 

Which I'm sure means someone is going to argue that I'm mistaken. To which I say, I'm a Wisconsin native so :p

 

ETA: Just to be clear, I'm not saying that's what you were doing, but if we're arguing on number of years as resident of the state, then yeah, it's not unheard of and again it's not as if the fact that it is rare doesn't mean that we're somehow more virtuous than other states who have more visible ways to illustrate their racism. Wisconsin had it's share of sundown towns and they weren't all out in backwoods parts of the state either.

Edited by mamaraby
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I've filled in the gaps since then, but if you're a kid and not specifically taught these things, you don't know them.  You don't make leaps that "well atrocities always occur, so I'm sure the south had atrocities inflicted on them" if you aren't told the whole story.  You believe what your teachers tell you for the most part.

 

Oh come on. This totally depends on the kid.

 

Some kids read outside of their textbooks. Some kids watch PBS specials at home with their families. Some kids' families have stories to tell from their ancestors' experiences IN the wars. They know there's more to the story than what they hear in class. Some kids make the leaps AKA connections in all of their classes and in life. Some kids aren't told the whole story, but always wonder about the details that aren't included in their classes/textbooks (figuring that the world is too big to fit in a textbook where everything is "cut and dried"). Some kids question EVERYTHING and even argue with the teacher...

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Western NY. Less than 2 hours south of Rochester. Tons of Confederate flags, from here to Corning and Elmira, down across into PA. They're on home-made poles attached to the sides of pick-up trucks, car decals and bumper stickers, flying in front of homes, and painted on sides of farmhouses and barns. I used to think it was mainly crappy, old places, but we saw plenty in pretty, quaint towns in Pa.

 

This is a disturbing and relatively new trend (new = it wasn't this way when I was a kid). Meanwhile, the cemeteries are full of graves of people who volunteered for the Union Army. All the cemeteries in or near my hometown (except in small mining towns that barely existed or didn't exist during the war) have many, many Union Army markers. It seems like a giant step backwards with no real explanation.

 

IME, northerners are taught a lot of Civil War history as a thing that happened--it might be taught thoroughly as well. But it's not that personal in spite of high participation rates in the military. I have only recently really learned much of anything about my ancestors who fought in the war, and there were many of them (big family). 

 

I do have a whole branch of my family that was not present in the US at all during the time as well, so I can understand some people not having any kind of familial history if they are from an industrial town or a Polish (Welsh, etc.) mining town full of newly minted Americans.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Aside from three years for college and a couple of years where dh and I live in MN, I've lived in WI my whole life. I've seen it and it hasn't just been over the last few years. I saw it when I was in high school 20 some years ago. It may be rare, it may not be as common as it may be elsewhere (to which I can't really attest because again, I've pretty much only lived in this one state), but to say it isn't a thing is inaccurate.

 

Which I'm sure means someone is going to argue that I'm mistaken. To which I say, I'm a Wisconsin native so :p

 

ETA: Just to be clear, I'm not saying that's what you were doing, but if we're arguing on number of years as resident of the state, then yeah, it's not unheard of and again it's not as if the fact that it is rare doesn't mean that we're somehow more virtuous than other states who have more visible ways to illustrate their racism. Wisconsin had it's share of sundown towns and they weren't all out in backwoods parts of the state either.

I'm not sure if you're disagreeing with what I've said or ? I shared my personal experience, which says nothing about yours. I don't need to win any longest-resident contest, promise. I'm good only having lived here 10-ish years.

 

I'm glad that you've shared your own personal experience of a state which we both live in.

 

Eta: I read your response to me again and I'm just not getting it. I never said anything about virtue or insinuated that racism wasn't here. Are you sure you're talking to me?

Edited by 8circles
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I read about half this thread before getting aggrevated enough to just go ahead and comment. I am a Southerner. My family has been here since before the Revolutionary War. We were poor and never owned slaves. In fact my grandfather risked his life and the lives of my grandmother, father, and uncle by standing up for the rights of African-Americans in Birmingham during the Civil Rights Movement. I have spent a lot of time at Civil War battlegrounds, but I have never flown a Confederate flag.

 

What most people outside of the South DON'T get is that part of the problem is that even TODAY Southerns are often viewed as stupid, racist, slobs. People move into and out of my area all the time. I can't tell you how often people have assumed I wasn't from here because I am well educated and not racist, and then they proceed to tell me how they are so glad they found someone else not from the South. Some of the dumb remarks I have either heard or heard second hand are things like "Do people in Mississippi wear shoes?"

 

I love people in general. Doesn't matter who they are. But I do not appreciate people coming into my home and insulting my heritage! Even though my hubby is Jewish and his family came here to escape the pograms I am not about to visit Russia and tell a Russian "Wow, I am so glad I found someone intelligent enough to not be from racist Soviet Russia!" Russians today aren't responsible for past Russians actions, and Russians are who they are today and see things the way they do today BECAUSE of their own history. That history should be respected because it has made them who they are today. Maybe the loser's story isn't important to overall history, but it IS important to understanding each other and the different perspectives we have based on who and where we come from. (Though what we have learned from our other life experiences and reading should not be neglected because we do continue to grow and learn)

 

Anyways... Those are my experiences and thoughts... Probably a bad idea...

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

  • Like 16
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I read about half this thread before getting aggrevated enough to just go ahead and comment. I am a Southerner. My family has been here since before the Revolutionary War. We were poor and never owned slaves. In fact my grandfather risked his life and the lives of my grandmother, father, and uncle by standing up for the rights of African-Americans in Birmingham during the Civil Rights Movement. I have spent a lot of time at Civil War battlegrounds, but I have never flown a Confederate flag.

 

What most people outside of the South DON'T get is that part of the problem is that even TODAY Southerns are often viewed as stupid, racist, slobs. People move into and out of my area all the time. I can't tell you how often people have assumed I wasn't from here because I am well educated and not racist, and then they proceed to tell me how they are so glad they found someone else not from the South. Some of the dumb remarks I have either heard or heard second hand are things like "Do people in Mississippi wear shoes?"

 

I love people in general. Doesn't matter who they are. But I do not appreciate people coming into my home and insulting my heritage! Even though my hubby is Jewish and his family came here to escape the pograms I am not about to visit Russia and tell a Russian "Wow, I am so glad I found someone intelligent enough to not be from racist Soviet Russia!" Russians today aren't responsible for past Russians actions, and Russians are who they are today and see things the way they do today BECAUSE of their own history. That history should be respected because it has made them who they are today. Maybe the loser's story isn't important to overall history, but it IS important to understanding each other and the different perspectives we have based on who and where we come from. (Though what we have learned from our other life experiences and reading should not be neglected because we do continue to grow and learn)

 

Anyways... Those are my experiences and thoughts... Probably a bad idea...

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

 

I think you've nailed a huge part of the problem.

 

By far the most racist, repugnant person I've ever met was a lady who was born and lived most of her life in Massachusetts, right outside Boston. She and her DH retired to our former neighborhood. Her attitudes were completely shocking and abhorrent to me, a lifelong Tarheel. I've met many other shockingly racist people from other parts of the country. And yet in discussions like this one so many people want to pretend those attitudes don't exist in their area and are endemic only in the south. Such is NOT my experience. In fact it's quite the reverse. (And yes, I fully understand that my experience is just that and not the same as what others may have experienced.) There was a fabulous op ed in the NYT awhile back. It was written by an African American lady about her experience with racism in the north and why she and many others she knew were moving back south to escape it. I've spent awhile this morning trying to find it but so far I'm coming up empty. I may try some more later if I have time.

  • Like 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Dad is really into genealogy. 

I live in Mid-Michigan and it's not entirely uncommon to see the Confederate flag displayed here or there on pick-up trucks, on wife-beater tee shirts, merchandise at county fairs or even on the occasional house.  It's not the norm and there's always a "type" of person involved.  But I probably see one or two a week. 

 

what is a "wife-beater tee shirt"?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There was a fabulous op ed in the NYT awhile back. It was written by an African American lady about her experience with racism in the north and why she and many others she knew were moving back south to escape it.

 

 

Is it this one? https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/08/opinion/sunday/racism-is-everywhere-so-why-not-move-south.html?mcubz=0

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sleeveless tank top. What Marlon Brando wore in Streetcar when he beat Vivien Leigh.

 

 

the undershirt?   also known around here as a "muscle" shirt. (those also could be a regular t-shirt with the sleeves cut off.)  for gym rats to show off their muscles . . . . 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think you've nailed a huge part of the problem.

 

By far the most racist, repugnant person I've ever met was a lady who was born and lived most of her life in Massachusetts, right outside Boston. She and her DH retired to our former neighborhood. Her attitudes were completely shocking and abhorrent to me, a lifelong Tarheel. I've met many other shockingly racist people from other parts of the country. And yet in discussions like this one so many people want to pretend those attitudes don't exist in their area and are endemic only in the south. Such is NOT my experience. In fact it's quite the reverse. (And yes, I fully understand that my experience is just that and not the same as what others may have experienced.) There was a fabulous op ed in the NYT awhile back. It was written by an African American lady about her experience with racism in the north and why she and many others she knew were moving back south to escape it. I've spent awhile this morning trying to find it but so far I'm coming up empty. I may try some more later if I have time.

Not to say racism doesn't exist everywhere... But, I do think one of the strengths we have in the South is that slavery and the Civil War IS covered in school, we have tons of monuments about the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement (and examples of what slavery was like). One of the most beautiful places in the southeast in my opinion is the National Civil Rights Museum in Birmingham. They did such a beautiful job of telling that story in a way that was honest, honored those who made sacrifices, didn't add hate towards the aggressors, and focused in on what we could learn from that moving forward.

 

Sometimes lessons learned through personal experience have the most lasting effects.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My mom never talked about what it was like to grow up in the aftermath. She escaped Germany as soon as she finished school, only to be called a host of ugly names in the countries she worked in (England and France). She has told me she had NO IDEA why the other au pairs were so cruel to her; it took immigrating to the US to find out. Discrimination ran thick, despite the fact she too suffered as much as they.

 

She only very recently shared a few personal anecdotes with me, when we were together in her hometown. The corner where she and her brother would try to steal apples, the neighbourhood bomb shelter, being pushed to elementary school in a stroller because she was too weak and malnourished to walk the few blocks. It's no wonder she was loathe for so many decades to return.

 

My dad never, ever talks about WWII either. I literally found out that my uncle existed (and was drafted and disappeared when he was 16 - he probably died as a Red Army prisoner) when I was a teenager. I think it was just too painful to discuss, so he didn't.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to wonder if people would see fewer confederate flags if people quit disrespecting Southern heritage by the way they view Southerns at large. We aren't proud of every decision made in the South, but we ARE proud of the grit shown by EVERY Southern to survive in this place. We've had difficult experiences to grow through (slavery, civil war, reconstruction, civil rights). A humid, buggy climate makes growing difficult...especially along the coast with no pesticides...not to mention disease. Our food TELLS our history from the slave trade to slavery, to reconstruction...and all of the cultural variations in between!!!! And it is a completely different thing to stand up against Jim Crow laws when you live HERE than when you travel in from outside the South. If you are from here, you are putting not only your own life on the line but also the lives of your spouse, children, etc. Yes, we have some cowards here just like everywhere else, but we also have some extremely strong and courageous men and women here...people who still stand up in their own way for what is right. My grandfather once told me that from his experiences racism didn't take on by family. Racism he said happened because some people were "content to just drink milk with people." He meant that some people weren't willing to stand up for what was right and that was what continued racism. He knew many many people who didn't grow up to share the views of their families, and he said it came down to the person's character...if that person was a person who was willing to do what was right no matter the cost. I AM proud of our story! Is it a beautiful story...no. But it is a powerful story that has helped shape the person I am today!

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I moved quite a bit as a kid, but mostly grew up in urban areas in southern Ohio. I wouldn't say any US war "resonates" with me through the War of American Independence and the US Civil War were both taught a lot, I personally felt the world wars were the ones most glossed over but really don't think of any of them much. 

 

There were certainly Confederate flags - many from those without much of a connection to former Confederate states. I know there were KKK rallies in the city I was living in in the early '00s, a lot of adults used the expression "I'm free, White, and over 21" to express frustration at being or feel like they were being told not to do something. I felt a lot that cities were far more of a hotbed of it than rural areas but there are likely a lot of factors to it. 

 

Even though the Civil War was covered a lot and I thought in-depth at various schools, it wasn't until well into adulthood I learned that Lee, Davis, and many other the other big Confederate names pretty much refused to have much to do with it after losing the war (Lee apparently said the flags shouldn't be flown again, refused to allow anyone wearing the uniform there) and that the revival of the Confederate flag as a "Southern heritage" symbol and most of the 'memorials' was around the 1950s-'60s as a backlash against civil rights activists. I always had a very different mental image but the more I read on it, the more I find their current portrayal to be, like many historical figures, twisted to fit. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I grew up in Texas, and there were lots of Confederate flags at that time, in pickup trucks, windows, etc.  I did not know anyone who had them historically.  The people that had them were not the type of people I would be friends with.

 

I live in Colorado now.  There is someone in our neighborhood with a flag pole who flies a rotation of Confederate flags. There is another house outside of town with a Confederate flag outside just attached to the house.  Those are the two I have seen here in Colorado. Plus a few on trucks now and then. But back in Texas, I never saw one given as much honor as the flagpole guy here in Colorado.  He has gone to a lot of trouble.  The rest of the neighborhood is filled with what I would consider an unusual number of American flags, that I have to wonder might partially be a response to Confederate guy.

 

I live in a very red, rural area of a swing state. We are not "the South".  The open racism here during Obama's presidency was off the charts.  There were billboards put up with awful offensive things, and a guy with a roadside stand of some kind with a mobile billboard related to Obama that was ridiculously racist and offensive. So no, I don't think racism is just a southern thing.  

 

My dad was born and raised in Texas, and I have never heard him say one positive word about the Civil War.  I agree with those who have said that in ANY war, - ANY- there will be atrocities on both sides.  And no, you are not likely to hear about it on the side of the winner.  That's just the way history works.  That's why I don't view the glorification or celebration of any war as a good thing.  Military actions may be necessary in some cases.  But that is always something to be grieved, not celebrated.  I would be happy to see ALL war remembered in context, as a warning, not as reverence or celebration.   

 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Yes, thank you! LC was also kind enough to PM me the link, so thanks to her as well.

 

My dad never, ever talks about WWII either. I literally found out that my uncle existed (and was drafted and disappeared when he was 16 - he probably died as a Red Army prisoner) when I was a teenager. I think it was just too painful to discuss, so he didn't.

 

My father was a WWII vet and he never, ever talked about it either. I think I was around middle school before I figured it out and I remember being SO surprised

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My mother was a German child during WW2.  She went through horrible things, and her city was one that was bombed.  As an adult, she lays the blame solely on the Nazis, not on the Allies.  She lost brothers (including a 16 year old) who fought for Hitler in the war, and she blames that on the Hitler as well. The German people (at least in her area) had very limited information about what was going on.  Her brothers "thought they were doing the right thing", although they didn't have much choice in the matter anyway.   That doesn't matter to her.  She considers it horrible and blames Hitler for starting it all.

 

Her city was bombed by the Allies. Her sister was raped by an Allied soldier.  But as an adult, she spoke at commemoration for American WW2 vets, about how grateful she was to them that they stopped what Hitler had planned for her country. 

 

I hear what Southerners are saying when they honor their history, ancestors that fought in the war, etc.  But I don't really UNDERSTAND it. My mom loved her brothers and friends who fought for Hitler.  But she would never think a positive association with that war.  She thinks of them as being exploited and used and then killed because of it. 

 

Editing to add, it was my mom who taught me that all war, even necessary war, is to be grieved.  When we were bombing Iraq, she cried every day, for the civilians and children she knew would suffer.  That's what war is, even when it's "necessary".

Edited by goldberry
  • Like 13
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My alarm is set to an news station. When it woke me this morning it was s story about a local Confederate memorial of Jefferson Davis placed in the 1960s by The Daughters of the Confederacy that was tarred and feathered over night. This is more of that bizarre Old South thinking-why there was a memorial made and placed at all is beyond me. It seems to me the fact that it was done in the 1960s is a statement about racial politics in the 1960s. Sort of a "We long for the good old days when there were slaves." This isn't The South, so culturally it's grossly out of place, but some women venerate their ancestors who lost a war and now that ridiculous memorial is here as an embarrassment to AZ. And no, if you were alive in 1960 you most certainly are not a daughter of the Confederacy, you're a descendant of people who participated in the evil of slavery. I honestly believe this reverent attitude toward ancestors who fought for The South is a form of idolatry. There. I said it.

 

Yup. Yup. Yup. Yup. Yup. As I said on FB and we discussed there. A thousand times, yes, this.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

I hear what Southerners are saying when they honor their history, ancestors that fought in the war, etc. But I don't really UNDERSTAND it. My mom loved her brothers and friends who fought for Hitler. But she would never think a positive association with that war. She thinks of them as being exploited and used and then killed because of it.

 

I suspect the difference is (and I don't know for certain as I am not German) that people don't look at the Germans and think "Man, those people are a bunch of stupid morons descended from a bunch of stupid morons!" Most people I have heard talking about Germans during World War 2 talk about how they were exploited. That is a very different attitude.

 

Children need to learn hero stories from their own local/personal history. It is when we know these stories and then begin to also recognize the mistakes that were made as well that we can truly learn to be compassionate towards the mistakes of other cultures different from our own without an angst. (I have read this in a couple different books on classical educational philosophy, but I can't put my finger on the quotes yet)

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

 He said that "Northerners think Southerners are lazy and stupid" and as soon as they hear the accent, that's how they treat them.  

 

DH was born and raised in Georgia.  When we moved to Illinois he made the decision to lose his accent because so many people made stupid assumptions based on him being a southerner.  The LEAST offensive comments were based on assumptions that he must have a gun rack in his truck, that he drinks beer, and that we are cousins.  Of course none of those are true.  But the most  offensive assumptions.....awful. 

 

Generally he only allows his southern accent to come out when we're around close friends.  It's just easier that way. 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My alarm is set to an news station. When it woke me this morning it was s story about a local Confederate memorial of Jefferson Davis placed in the 1960s by The Daughters of the Confederacy that was tarred and feathered over night. This is more of that bizarre Old South thinking-why there was a memorial made and placed at all is beyond me. It seems to me the fact that it was done in the 1960s is a statement about racial politics in the 1960s. Sort of a "We long for the good old days when there were slaves." This isn't The South, so culturally it's grossly out of place, but some women venerate their ancestors who lost a war and now that ridiculous memorial is here as an embarrassment to AZ. And no, if you were alive in 1960 you most certainly are not a daughter of the Confederacy, you're a descendant of people who participated in the evil of slavery. I honestly believe this reverent attitude toward ancestors who fought for The South is a form of idolatry. There. I said it.

That may have been placed there in the 1960s for inappropriate reasons, but that does not mean that people today should not go through the proper legal recourse to deal with their concerns rather than defacing public property. Two wrongs doesn't make a right.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suspect the difference is (and I don't know for certain as I am not German) that people don't look at the Germans and think "Man, those people are a bunch of stupid morons descended from a bunch of stupid morons!" Most people I have heard talking about Germans during World War 2 talk about how they were exploited. That is a very different attitude.

 

That may be more true now, but have you read about the German people right after WW2?  There were towns that were forced to march past piles of bodies from the camps as atonement, or punishment, whatever. There has been lots of debate about how the German population didn't stand up to Hitler, about how could they possibly NOT have known, and how they were all complicit.

 

The attitude has changed IN PART because the German people as a whole DID NOT try to defend or make heros out of themselves or their war leaders. (note "as a whole" qualifier.) Did you ever think that maybe that has something to do with why people look at the south a certain way, because so many continue to make excuses for racism and for honoring the confederacy?

 

And this statement: Children need to learn hero stories from their own local/personal history.  You can be compassionate toward someone and their circumstances without making a hero of someone who is not really a very good role model.  I'm not sure who you're referring to, and maybe your personal heros are different.  But Confederate leaders were mostly not good role models.

Edited by goldberry
  • Like 13
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That may have been placed there in the 1960s for inappropriate reasons, but that does not mean that people today should not go through the proper legal recourse to deal with their concerns rather than defacing public property. Two wrongs doesn't make a right.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

 

I will say that I agree with this and am not in favor of vandalizing or destroying.  There were charges brought against those who pulled down that other statue and I think that was appropriate.  If I pulled it down, I would have done so with the understanding that I may suffer consequences for it.  I support law and order in those cases.  Protest, lobby, make noise.  Follow the process.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That may have been placed there in the 1960s for inappropriate reasons, but that does not mean that people today should not go through the proper legal recourse to deal with their concerns rather than defacing public property. Two wrongs doesn't make a right.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

That would be great if racists in state legislatures weren't intent on making sure local people/local elected officials are not allowed to make those choices. If only there were so much concern for the rule of law when lynchings were happening and some 80% of the statues were placed. #inconvenienttruths. Edited by Sneezyone
  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That may be more true now, but have you read about the German people right after WW2? There were towns that were forced to march past piles of bodies from the camps as atonement, or punishment, whatever. There has been lots of debate about how the German population didn't stand up to Hitler, about how could they possibly NOT have known, and how they were all complicit.

 

The attitude has changed IN PART because the German people as a whole DID NOT try to defend or make heros out of themselves or their war leaders. (note "as a whole" qualifier.) Did you ever think that maybe that has something to do with why people look at the south a certain way, because so many continue to make excuses for racism and for honoring the confederacy?

 

And this statement: Children need to learn hero stories from their own local/personal history. You can be compassionate toward someone and their circumstances without making a hero of someone who is not really a very good role model. I'm not sure who you're referring to, and maybe your personal heros are different. But Confederate leaders were mostly not good role models.

Mine are NOT Confederate war heros. Period. I am trying to express that the Germans have things that they are allowed to be proud of...doll making, car making,...history before the world wars. What are the southern states allowed to be proud of? Nothing because everything people know of our history is just how dumb and stupid we all are!!!! There are LOTS of GOOD people in our history who DID stand up for what was right just like there were Germans who DID see what was going on and did what they could to save lives!!!! And if you think southerns weren't punished, you are GRAVELY mistaken.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That may be more true now, but have you read about the German people right after WW2?  There were towns that were forced to march past piles of bodies from the camps as atonement, or punishment, whatever. There has been lots of debate about how the German population didn't stand up to Hitler, about how could they possibly NOT have known, and how they were all complicit.

 

The attitude has changed IN PART because the German people as a whole DID NOT try to defend or make heros out of themselves or their war leaders. (note "as a whole" qualifier.) Did you ever think that maybe that has something to do with why people look at the south a certain way, because so many continue to make excuses for racism and for honoring the confederacy?

 

Yep.  Do you think the attitude toward Germans today might be different if 50 years after the war they started erecting statues of Hitler, Goebbels and Himmler in public places and were still prominently hanging Nazi flags from their windows and cars?  That's the correct parallel. I think we'd all think they were still racist.  And not without reason.

  • Like 17
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That may be more true now, but have you read about the German people right after WW2?  There were towns that were forced to march past piles of bodies from the camps as atonement, or punishment, whatever. There has been lots of debate about how the German population didn't stand up to Hitler, about how could they possibly NOT have known, and how they were all complicit.

 

The attitude has changed IN PART because the German people as a whole DID NOT try to defend or make heros out of themselves or their war leaders. (note "as a whole" qualifier.) Did you ever think that maybe that has something to do with why people look at the south a certain way, because so many continue to make excuses for racism and for honoring the confederacy?

 

Yes. The Germans, as a people, have collectively owned up to the guilt and shed any pride in their heritage. Not just right after the war, but for decades, the collective soul of the country had to be immersed in guilt and remorse and shame. It was beaten into every child that being German was not something to be proud of, and that we had to atonefor the sins of our grandfathers. The effect is quite extreme and not entirely healthy. You won't see people flying the German flag (unless it is soccer worldcup). There is no healthy patriotism because generations have been drilled to be ashamed for starting two world wars.

 

My grandfather died in the war. He was not a Nazi. He had no choice and was forced to be a soldier. That makes it very tragic, but it does not make him a hero. It makes him one of the millions of poor souls who payed for Hitler's bizarre ideology. 

 

(as a side note and slightly OT: the US complains about Germany not taking a larger military role - but it was the allies who insisted that Germany be demilitarized and kept from achieving any military power. This, together with the history, is the reason for the deep seated reluctance of Germany to become involved in any kind of armed conflict.)

 

ETA: And Germany banned the display of any Nazi symbols and the distribution of Nazi books and the denial of the holocaust- because their society believes that some ideas should not be given the privilege of free speech.

Edited by regentrude
  • Like 14
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mine are NOT Confederate war heros. Period. I am trying to express that the Germans have things that they are allowed to be proud of...doll making, car making,...history before the world wars. What are the southern states allowed to be proud of? Nothing because everything people know of our history is just how dumb and stupid we all are!!!! There are LOTS of GOOD people in our history who DID stand up for what was right just like there were Germans who DID see what was going on and did what they could to save lives!!!! And if you think southerns weren't punished, you are GRAVELY mistaken.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

 

I never said southerners weren't punished or suffered....?  I have expressed more than once that in any war there is suffering and injustice on both sides.  I was responding to your idea that Germans don't feel the need to honor or justify their past because society doesn't continue to consider them wrong or evil.  In fact, yes, they were considered both wrong and evil and deserving of punishment.  Part of the reason that changed is because they didn't continue trying to honor or justify.  

 

And this... What are the southern states allowed to be proud of? Nothing because everything people know of our history is just how dumb and stupid we all are!!!! 

 

I'm not sure what you are referring to here?  I lived in Texas, and Texans are about as proud of their state as it gets.  I've never heard anything about southern states just being dumb and stupid.  Sure there are some stereotypes.  About the same as all New Yorkers being rude and selfish and unfriendly. (Or lately, all Coloradans being high...like...duudde... ;)  Do you think the south is the only place that gets stereotyped? 

 

I was just addressing a point you brought up.  You're using lots of exclamation points here.  I'm not trying to attack you or the south.  I was just addressing the point.

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That may have been placed there in the 1960s for inappropriate reasons, but that does not mean that people today should not go through the proper legal recourse to deal with their concerns rather than defacing public property. Two wrongs doesn't make a right.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

 

The segregation laws may have been passed for inappropriate reasons but that does not mean that Rosa Parks shouldn't have gone through the proper legal recourse to deal with her concerns rather than sitting at the front of the bus, thus breaking the law.  Two wrongs don't make a right.

 

Amiright?

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My grandfather died in the war. He was not a Nazi. He had no choice and was forced to be a soldier. That makes it very tragic, but it does not make him a hero. It makes him one of the millions of poor souls who payed for Hitler's bizarre ideology. 

 

Yes, exactly. A lot of those fighting didn't have a choice. Probably similar to many of those who fought for the Confederacy.  I get it. But what you said is the absolute truth.

 

My mom's brother was called in a short time before the war ended, when Hitler called up everyone from 16-65.  He was 16 and never came home.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The segregation laws may have been passed for inappropriate reasons but that does not mean that Rosa Parks shouldn't have gone through the proper legal recourse to deal with her concerns rather than sitting at the front of the bus, thus breaking the law. Two wrongs don't make a right.

 

Amiright?

No, they DID try to go through proper channels at first.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The segregation laws may have been passed for inappropriate reasons but that does not mean that Rosa Parks shouldn't have gone through the proper legal recourse to deal with her concerns rather than sitting at the front of the bus, thus breaking the law.  Two wrongs don't make a right.

 

Amiright?

 

To clarify my personal position: There is absolutely a place and time for civil disobedience.  Rosa knew she would be arrested and was prepared for it. Her being arrested was what brought attention to the cause.

 

The statues....personally, I don't consider it equivalent.  But I could see why some would.  Hopefully they were prepared for the consequences.  Until things change, we have the process. Also, I would have more respect for it done in the open if they really wanted to make it about civil disobedience.   

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, they DID try to go through proper channels at first.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

Right. Because all human rights must go through the proper (rigged) channels and receive the blessing of the (hostile) PTB to be legitimate/recognized. Never mind that the PTB have already refused to change their ways.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/08/17/south-confederate-monuments-often-protected-hard-remove-state-laws/573226001/

Edited by Sneezyone
  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, they DID try to go through proper channels at first.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

 

People in NC have been trying to have the confederate statues removed through the appropriate channels for years. When does it become enough trying to satisfy you?

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I never said southerners weren't punished or suffered....? I have expressed more than once that in any war there is suffering and injustice on both sides. I was responding to your idea that Germans don't feel the need to honor or justify their past because society doesn't continue to consider them wrong or evil. In fact, yes, they were considered both wrong and evil and deserving of punishment. Part of the reason that changed is because they didn't continue trying to honor or justify.

 

And this... What are the southern states allowed to be proud of? Nothing because everything people know of our history is just how dumb and stupid we all are!!!!

 

I'm not sure what you are referring to here? I lived in Texas, and Texans are about as proud of their state as it gets. I've never heard anything about southern states just being dumb and stupid. Sure there are some stereotypes. About the same as all New Yorkers being rude and selfish and unfriendly. (Or lately, all Coloradans being high...like...duudde... ;) Do you think the south is the only place that gets stereotyped?

 

I was just addressing a point you brought up. You're using lots of exclamation points here. I'm not trying to attack you or the south. I was just addressing the point.

1) I always use a lot of exclamation points. 2) I am defensive because of where I live. I currently live in Florida where we always have people coming in and out and they always assume that Southerns are racist and stupid. I am tired of people assuming that I hate the South as much as they do. There is beauty in the ashes, and I have managed to show that to several people who have moved here. 3) Texas is a whole different kettle of fish. Try living in Mississippi or Arkansas. They are always the butt of all jokes. No one seems to realize that while Mississippi is 50th in almost everything, they are #1 in charitable giving. Has anyone ever considered why they are #1 in charitable giving? Probably not. Most people seem content just to berate Mississippi. 4) I don't think you can accurately compare Germans and Southerns. There are a lot of differences. That's all I was trying to say.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

People in NC have been trying to have the confederate statues removed through the appropriate channels for years. When does it become enough trying to satisfy you?

Many of them were deliberately placed in primarily African American communities which have no say over their continued presence.

Edited by Sneezyone
  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

To clarify my personal position: There is absolutely a place and time for civil disobedience.  Rosa knew she would be arrested and was prepared for it. Her being arrested was what brought attention to the cause.

 

The statues....personally, I don't consider it equivalent.  But I could see why some would.  Hopefully they were prepared for the consequences.  Until things change, we have the process. Also, I would have more respect for it done in the open if they really wanted to make it about civil disobedience.   

 

I don't think confederate statues themselves are necessarily equivalent to segregation laws, but I don't think they can be considered on their own, apart from the systemic racism that exists. 

 

I agree that if you partake in civil disobedience, you need to be prepared for the consequences. But I don't even feel right talking about this kind of thing as if it's some big problem in light of the absolutely criminal behavior that we have seen recently, not just in Charlottesville but the police brutality throughout the country. This is so small potatoes in comparison.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1) I always use a lot of exclamation points. 2) I am defensive because of where I live. I currently live in Florida where we always have people coming in and out and they always assume that Southerns are racist and stupid. I am tired of people assuming that I hate the South as much as they do. There is beauty in the ashes, and I have managed to show that to several people who have moved here. 3) Texas is a whole different kettle of fish. Try living in Mississippi or Arkansas. They are always the butt of all jokes. No one seems to realize that while Mississippi is 50th in almost everything, they are #1 in charitable giving. Has anyone ever considered why they are #1 in charitable giving? Probably not. Most people seem content just to berate Mississippi. 4) I don't think you can accurately compare Germans and Southerns. There are a lot of differences. That's all I was trying to say.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

BTDT. My family lives in Arkansas and my husband was born/raised there. Heritage, not hate is still a load of BS to us. Have you driven by the massive (private) Nathan Bedford Forest statue outside Memphis festooned with confederate flags? We have. Try explaining that crap to your little black kids. Stupid is the mildest word we used. Edited by Sneezyone
  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

Ă—
Ă—
  • Create New...