Five Things - Thing 5 - The War
5. Why does the North not remember the War for Southern Independence?
One cannot travel in the South without seeing constant reminders of the great struggle for liberation of the 1860s. Statues of the brave defenders stand in every town square. Cemeteries are reverently maintained. Battlefields are honored. Stories of courage and fortitude are continually told and retold.
In the north? Adds for sanitary napkins and mouthwash.
Why?
It boils down to one key word: shame.
Over these last 140 years, many in the north have come to realize what a dastardly deed their forefathers were a part of. Invasion of a new country that was just struggling to get on its feet? Pathetic. Waging warfare on the civilians? Miserable. Subjugation and plundering for decades following? Pitiful.
Why would the north want to remember such a dark day in their history?
And yet, there are a few subtle reminders held over to try to prevent such horrible acts from happening again. Every time a northern places a $5 bet, they are reminded that when they surrender their freedom to a demagogue, only evil can result. And when a northern throws out a $50 bill to cover the bar bill, well, poetic justice at its loudest. Why was the US tank once called the “Sherman Tank?” Because it only fought against women and children!
So let the North try to forget. We know here in the South, we never will.
One cannot travel in the South without seeing constant reminders of the great struggle for liberation of the 1860s. Statues of the brave defenders stand in every town square. Cemeteries are reverently maintained. Battlefields are honored. Stories of courage and fortitude are continually told and retold.
In the north? Adds for sanitary napkins and mouthwash.
Why?
It boils down to one key word: shame.
Over these last 140 years, many in the north have come to realize what a dastardly deed their forefathers were a part of. Invasion of a new country that was just struggling to get on its feet? Pathetic. Waging warfare on the civilians? Miserable. Subjugation and plundering for decades following? Pitiful.
Why would the north want to remember such a dark day in their history?
And yet, there are a few subtle reminders held over to try to prevent such horrible acts from happening again. Every time a northern places a $5 bet, they are reminded that when they surrender their freedom to a demagogue, only evil can result. And when a northern throws out a $50 bill to cover the bar bill, well, poetic justice at its loudest. Why was the US tank once called the “Sherman Tank?” Because it only fought against women and children!
So let the North try to forget. We know here in the South, we never will.
posted by Jimmie C. | 7:59 AM
2 Comments:
Amen, Brother Jim. I'll bet you've noticed that most Northerners are limited to a coloring-book version of history when it comes to the late war. The reason they don't know much about it is that the truth doesn't reflect well on them, so is best forgotten or so simplified as to be meaningless. Even the term "Civil War" is a blatant attempt at obfuscation and revisionism.
Mark Alexander
P. S.
My condolences on the death of your uncle Bud.
Mark
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