Confederate Heritage Month

Recently, newly elected Governor of Virgina, Bob McDonnell, made a proclamation that April would be recognized as Confederate history month in Virginia. Because he failed to specifically mention slavery in that proclamation he has taken heat, and the racist political propaganda machine has fired up. My question is why would anyone want a mention of slavery in a proclamation setting forth the commemoration of Confederate heritage? That would certainly be altogether offensive, essentially celebrating the existence of slavery. Is that really what critics like Roland Martin, the Democratic Party, and President Obama want?

Confederate Americans do not deny the taint of slavery on American and Southern history. Rather, we choose to honor those men and leaders who bravely fought with conscience and a sense of duty to preserve there way of life, and the very principles and ideals of liberty and governance in American thought. They did not by and large fight for, and often fought in spite of, the existence of slavery among them. They understood it in the context of the times. Remembering our heritage is not about honoring slavery, nor is it meant to solicit continual apology for slavery. Rather such celebration of Confederate heritage is meant to commemorate all things noble and good about the Confederacy and the Southern people; their culture, their emblems, their values, and their way of life.

It goes without saying that slavery was a part of that history, a sullen part in many ways, and should need not require a public denunciation with every mention of the word confederate — especially some 150 years removed. Why to do so would be counterproductive to the very purpose for setting forth the commemoration of Southern heritage in the first place, which is to revere and idealize that which is noble about our past, despite that which is not. Do we, Americans all, not celebrate Independence Day because of atrocities committed or existing within our own lands and among our people, leaders, and government (not the least of which was widespread slavery) from that time  till now?

Hardly!

The fact is, both then and now, the incident of slavery has so dominated the principle issues as to forever cloud and shroud them in their proper context, permitting inaccurate and culturally denigrating propaganda to be expounded and perpetrated against the South.

Roland Martin, in response to the proclamation, even went so far as to call Confederate soldiers terrorists! Can you believe that? Men defending their homes, their lands, their states, and their principles of government, even defending their slaves (many of whom chose slavery and the Confederacy over the North’s emancipation novelty) are terrorists? Not the Northern invaders, plunders, pillagers, arsonists, rapists, murderers, thieves, and savages that brutalized Southern property, women, and children, both slave and free?

Lee a terrorist, not Sherman?
Cleburne a terrorist, not Turchin?
Jackson a terrorist, not Sheridan?
Davis a terrorist, not Lincoln?

See what lies and distortion the Yankee propaganda props up and inundates our society with still today? See the racial tension and divide it unnecessarily fosters? See the aim of Southern denigration it pursues? We do not deny the existence or stain of slavery. We deny the spin and distortion so often repeated in the prostitution of the Southern people, the exploitation of their wealth and resources, and the effective genocide of their culture.

God save the South!

Related posts:

1. Confederate Heritage Celebrations
2. Confederate Summer
3. Black: A Darker Shade of Confederate Gray
4. Liberty for All! Really?
5. An Ex-Marine, A Proud American & Confederate