That was my observation as well.
I am a "Yankee". I never thought of myself as a Yankee until I lived down south for 10 years. (North Carolina/Tennessee mountains, very rural). I was born and raised in Chicago, so I was from the midwest in my eyes. When I thought of Yankees, I thought of the northeast. In the area we moved to, anyone not born in one of the confederate states was a yankee, you could be from California and you're still a Yankee. I learned after moving that the civil war is alive and well for most southerners.
The confederate flag was all over the place down there, but in the area I was in, it was all about the war, which they insist had nothing to do with slavery. I didn't see any racism in any of the people I knew, I'm not saying it isn't there, just that it wasn't in my interactions with anyone in our area.
Where am I going with this? I don't know, lol. It does have more racial conotations than they would like to admit. One way or the other, they have got to let it go. These are the United States now, well, at least they're supposed to be.
The Brits consider all of us over here "Yankees" LOL
Your comment about how "most southerners" consider the war still alive and well is grossly irresponsible, inaccurate, and not to mention just plain wrong.
I respect the fact that is your perception based on your personal experiences; however, I am a Southerner and also a veteran that traveled quite a bit. In my own experience, I witnessed more prejudice in non-southern states than not. Case in point: Idaho is not a Southern state, yet it headquarters the skinhead/white supremist movement. That doesn't mean that all residents of Idaho are racist scum. Let's try to keep the proper perspective here.
And again, the confederate flag has almost nothing to do with slavery. Anyone that is reasonably proficient in their study of history knows this. Emotions aside, the facts are the facts.
Perhaps it's you that needs to "let it go" and read a little more on the principles upon which this country was founded. The "United States" meant just that. A group of independent states that were unified for the common good of all.
That no longer is the case. We are now one country, under the rule of a central government which trumps any and all state decisions. So, in essence, we are no longer a group of "united states", but actuatally, and quite simply, a single nation subject to the rule of one government.
In Texas, on more than one occasion, people have used the "N" word around me, then excused themselves by pointing out that I wasn't one, I was a Yankee-and I don't think they meant that as a positive distinction, either....funny and sad.
It is sad, agreed.
However, I think that one must recognize that the use of the "N" word is perpetuated by the same people that claim they want it removed from our vocabulary!
The argument that it's okay to use it as long as you're black is preposterous. It's use, in any way, only serves to keep it alive.
I hold, that if one were truely serious about removing it's use from our vocabulary, that they would not use it themselves.
OMG! I totally get you. It was really shameful when all those gay people seceded from the union and started a war over their right to own others.
Although considering this is Tennessee, I doubt a rainbow flag would be allowed either.
Gay people? Are you saying that the Southern States were gay and that's why they seceded? Or, are you trying to say only "gay" people would own a slave?
Regardless, you should do your homework before making outrageous comments.
The Civil War was not fought over the "...right to own others." It's not too much to ask that one actually research a topic before actually posting a comment. I do understand that everyone does not have the benefit of a good education, but that doesn't mean one can't take the initiative to research a topic a little before posting a comment.
I do agree with the statement about accepting a "rainbow flag" these days; regardless of what state it's in. Homosexuals are still feared and shunned in most cases.
As sad as that is, it is relative to the same ignorance that perports that the civl war was over slavery.
Actually, they're supposed to be the united States (separate, sovereign entities voluntarily united for the common good; not one nation conveniently divided into smaller chunks all of which are subservient to the national government.)
BTW: it wasn't 'till I went to college that I found out that damn Yankee wasn't one word :rofl:
Thanks for reminding us.
Some... not most. It has been my experience that the folks that actually believe that the war is still on are pretty few. Many folks have moved to the south in the last 164 years that were either from the north or from other countries. That racism still exists is in the south is a sad fact but not exclusive to the south. Truth be known the "Great war of Northern Aggression" was simply a failed rebellion like so many others that have taken place through out history. Time to get over it folks (for those that still think the South will rise again). The demographics and truthfully, the country, has changed so much that another rebellion will not be divided along cardinal points of the compass.
True. Racism exists world-wide, unfortunately. I too wish people would just "get over it."
You'd think in the 21st century that things like differences in ethnicity, gender, or even eye color would be non-issues when dealing with each other.
There are no two people who are exactly alike. The premise of prejudice is utterly illogical and counterproductive to the perpetuation of our species. It is a byproduct of ignorance just as the misconceptions that accompany it are.
Use of the term "rebellion" implies that the C.S.A. were trying to overthrow the U.S. government. In reality, they seceded (which was their right) and were invaded by the U.S. and forcibly "re-annexed."
True that also. Sadly, many a constitutional right has fallen to the wayside over the years. The "Bill of Rights" is no more than toilet paper these days, IMHO.
I personally feel the best way to deal with these issues and improve upon current conditions is through education.
There's the "ideal world" and then there's the "really real world." Only through proper education of facts can one hope to develop an opinion based in reality.
IMHO, I feel that too many opinions are based on personal emotion which is most often not based on facts. This results in skewed opinion, as evidenced in many of the responses on this particular thread, instead of opinion based on actual events and fact.
I do not endorse racism or any other prejudice. My network of "friends" is diverse, and I do not define them by color, gender, or sexual preference. My "friends" earn my respect because of other factors not related to how they look, their gender, or where they come from. IMHO, that's how it should be.
