Rebels Without a Clue, Revisited
TIM WISE in Counter Punch "Racism, Neo-Confederacy and the Raising of Historical Illiterates" :
"Here's a little experiment, in two parts.
First, pick a white person, pretty much any white person; then go up to them and mention the subject of slavery, and its consequences for blacks in the United States. Then pull out a stopwatch and time how long it takes for them to say something to the effect of, "All that was a long time ago. Why can't we leave the past in the past and move on?"
And here's the second part: come and spend a little time in my neck of the woods -- the American South -- and watch how long it takes for you to spot someone waving, wearing, or otherwise displaying (perhaps on their car) a confederate flag.** Now, having seen several, go up to their respective owners and tell them, "All that was a long time ago. Why can't you leave the past in the past and move on?" (more)
posted by hysterical blackness @ 1:45 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Wish I had seen this post last night... Had a friend over "european" (really) and she was so cavalier in here maner when dealing (rationalising) with the facts of "things that happened along time ago in this country". what really threw her off was when I told her you pretty much sound like, many of the white people here in america (she didnt like that) with those kinds of statements. Taking the irony to soaring hieghts!
Good look,
Peace.
Naro%
My dad used to work at a country radio station in Panama City, FL as a news director. He was the only black man working there. While he was working there, one of the most popular country songs was "If the South Would've Won (We'd Have Had it Made)". I think it was sung by Hank Williams, Jr. or somebody like that. Every time that song came up on the radio I wondered who was included in that 'we'. Surely wasn't me, my dad, or any of my ancestors. Why can't Hank and 'em leave this stuff in the past?
Well dustdaughter thank you for that. I had to look up the song. It's Hank Williams Jr. and here are the lyrics.
If the South would've won we'd a had it made,
I'd prob'ly run for President of the Southern State.
The day Elvis passed away would be our national holiday,
If the South would a won we'd had a it made.
I'd make my Supreme Court down in Texas,
And we wouldn't have no killers gettin'off free.
If they were proven guilty, then they would swing quickly,
Instead of writin' books and smilin' on T.V.
We'd all learn Cajun cookin in Louisiana,
And I'd put that capitol back in Alabama.
We'd put Florida on the right track ‘cause, we'd take Miami back, And throw all them pushers in the slammer.
If the South would've won we'd a had it made,
I'd prolly run for President of the Southern States.
The day young Skynyrd died we'd show our Southern Pride, If the South would a won we'd had a it made.
I'd have all the whiskey made in Tennessee,
And all the horses raised in those Kentucky hills.
The national treasury would be in Tupelo, Mississippi
And I'd put Hank William's picture on one hundred dollar bills.
I'd have all the cars made in the Carolina's,
And I'd ban all the ones made in China.
I'd have every girl and child sent to Georgia to learn to smile, And talk with that southern accent that drives me wild.
I'd have all the fiddles made in Virginia
Cause they sure can make'em sound so fine.
I'm goin up on Wolverton mountain and see ole Clinton Powers, And have a sip of his good ole Arkansas wine.
Hey, if the South woulda won we'd had it made
I'd prolly run for President of the Southern States,
When Patsy Cline passed away that would be our national holiday, If the South woulda won we'd a had it made.
If the South woulda won we'd a had it made.
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