Is Civil War history just for white people?  In reading the brilliant essay written on the subject by Ta-Nehisi Coates–one in which I urge all of you to read–the thought seemed illogical.  After all, it is the crux of the American experience.  The battle for individualism and freedom speaks to the heart of man, and that is a struggle black people are intimately familiar with.  It seemed illogical until you delve more deeply.  The war was and is a testament to the true tenet of democracy–the struggle for life and humanity.

Many people of my generation believe in the basic fact of the war:  the north won and the south lost.  Northern gladiators beat back the wretched insurgency of southern greed and inhumanity.  But revisionism is showing itself as the true arbiter of debate.  Consider this quote from Alexander Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy in his famous Cornerstone speech in Savannah, Georgia:

“Our new Government is founded upon exactly the opposite ideas; its foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery, subordination to the superior race, is his natural and normal condition.”

American history does not exist in a vacuum, and no amount of qualifying can ever cleanse the plate of many deeds of the past.  They are deeds perpetrated by those clearly looking to create a broad design, to allow one group of people some form of inclusively for the actions of their forebears.

Stephens’ speech foreshadowed a new thought within the minds of many confederates and their descendants.  The idea that somehow the aggrieved had become the vilified in a war perpetrated by those loathe to see southern states lose their most precious commodity.  The War of Northern aggression, as its been dubbed, sees the north as uncivilized encroachers to Southern hegemony.  The new, twisted take on an old war.  To many Americans, black and white, it is an offensive white washing, and it does not reflect the quantitative and calculated destruction of black life.  An example from Coates’ essay:

For African Americans, war commenced not in 1861, but in 1661, when the Virginia Colony began passing America’s first black codes, the charter documents of a slave society that rendered blacks a permanent servile class and whites a mass aristocracy. They were also a declaration of war.

Over the next two centuries, the vast majority of the country’s blacks were robbed of their labor and subjected to constant and capricious violence. They were raped and whipped at the pleasure of their owners. Their families lived under the threat of existential violence—in just the four decades before the Civil War, more than 2 million African American slaves were bought and sold. Slavery did not mean merely coerced labor, sexual assault, and torture, but the constant threat of having a portion, or the whole, of your family consigned to oblivion. In all regards, slavery was war on the black family.

It’s no wonder many blacks might reject the history of the Civil War.  It’s understandable that many modern southern whites engage in fantastical reinterpretations of their War of Northern aggression.  To truly comprehend the horror and degradation of the war is to accept the horrors of man’s inhumanity toward man.  It is to accept that our forefathers–those deified in modern society–willingly broke their own vows and pronouncements, and willingly accepted the subjugation of man.  There aren’t many who have the stomach for such straight talk.

Black History–indeed American history–should be about straight talk.  History should be colored.  it should be accepted, as painful, intrusive, and stark has it may be.

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Really freaky ad campaign for CALM:  New Zealand Campaign Against Landmines.  Think about our troops the next time you tear into some curly fries.  Hat tip to Daily What:

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The United States Congress’ approval rating is currently sitting at or around 25 percent.  This anemic figure is representative of a few factors: 1) A deflated economy, replete with little to no job creation.  2) A palpable sense of partisan fatigue, created by the non-stop jousting between the two major parties. 3) A general distrust, disdain, and dislike for the members of Congress who hold national leadership positions.  This is hardly a place where a newcomer to the game would find safe haven.  But there are several challengers vying to shake up Washington politics, and inject their brand of sensible leadership into the pool.  The first candidate is profiled here today.

Maureen Reed, a doctor from Grant, Minnesota, will challenge firebrand ultra-conservative Michelle Bachmann in Minnesota’s 6th congressional district.  Bachmann’s pension for over the top conservatism- full of conspiratorial flourishes and anti-American fear mongering- may make her seat warm if not hot.  Reed’s idea of practical solutions to practical problems- expansion of business, lower health care costs, and home ownership- may resonate well with the people in the sixth district, who are looking for consensus building, and not rhetorical bomb-throwing.  Dr. Reed in her own words:

“We are living through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, with staggering numbers of people unemployed, health care out of the reach of many folks, and thousands of Minnesotans losing their businesses and homes,” said Dr. Reed.  “While these problems are tough, I’m running for Congress because I know two things are true.  First, Americans can solve tough problems.  Second, a bright future is not accidental.  We create a bright future when we put rhetoric aside, focus on the real problems, and work hard together.  This is exactly what I’ve done all my life.

Good luck to you Dr. Reed.

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Madam Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, citizens of our great nation.  I speak to you tonight about urgent business that for far too long has split our allegiances, and divided our spirits.  We have work to do ladies and gentlemen, and I am here to begin that work in earnest.  I was elected by the people of this country to change how business is done in Washington.  I am not here to engage in silly squabbling, or get bogged down by petty ideological differences from one side or the other.  I am here to change and fix what is not working.  I am here to make a difference in the lives of Americans, who see no difference in Washington politics, and no immediate effect in their lives.

First of all let me say unequivocally: we will pass health care reform.  There has been a string of invective, misinformation and a general poisoning of the atmosphere on this issue.  There is agitation, caused by misleading, inflammatory information.  This will not help fix anything folks.  This back and forth nonsense has done nothing to improve or fix a problem that has been festering for years.  It is time to do better.  We must do better.  I will do better.

Health care reform has been in the offing for almost a century.  Think about that.  One hundred years of debating what to me, is a fundamental principle of Americanism.  One hundred years of parsing words on our country’s  moral obligation to its citizens.  As a citizen of this nation, how can we stand by and watch our own people suffer?  How can we turn a blind eye to a crisis that, left unchecked, will affect us all?  The simple answer is we cannot.  We will not.  I speak to you today to reassure everyone in this room, and everyone watching this telecast, that there will be reform.  There must be reform.  I will not compromise on this true purpose for our people, and our nation.  There is no more time for delay.  Delay is for cowards and  proponents of the unrighteous.  America is the pinnacle of righteousness.

I have no interest or desire to be held captive by demagogues on either side of the aisle, who fail to realize the importance of their words and inaction.  I will not work with those that portray this effort as something that it is not- a socialistic revision of capitalism, or a government takeover.  I have neither the time nor patience to listen to corrupt, empty fear-mongering, that seeks to distort my positions, and spread vitriolic rhetoric.  I work for the American people, and they have had enough of this madness.  I have had enough.  I believe that some of you have forgotten what is important.  I am here to remind you.

I will not shrink from my responsibility to do what I said I would do.  I would encourage all of you in the congress, to do the same.  Otherwise, I will proceed apace, with a plan that I have devised that will protect patients rights, provide choice, cover American citizens who cannot cover themselves,  protect those who currently have insurance from cost increases in their premiums.  This is the time to act.  How can any of us call ourselves leaders if we do not…

This is what I think the president should say tonight.  He should also explain HIS plan as specifically as possible.  The people need to hear it from him in clear, concise words.  Included in this should be what he wants and does not want, and how he plans on paying for it.  It is time to get out in front and lead on this important issue.  He should learn from  great speeches by previous presidents regarding landmark legislation.  FDR had social security.  LBJ had civil rights.  They both had detractors and met stringent, sometimes violent resistance.  Start a new chapter on health care President Obama.   Be bold, decisive and strong.  Most important, be the president, Mr. President.

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This is a new television spot put out by EqualityMaine to highlight their opposition to reversing a marriage equality law recently initiated in the state.  The spot is awesome!  Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74kiByvu8R4

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