2012 is one heck of a year, no doubt a cross roads year! So is the South preparing to bolt? by Mark Vogl
(conservative)
Sunday, February 5, 2012
It's the second year of the Sesquicentennial, (the 150th remembrance of the Civil War) and the nation is as divided today over its future, as it was in 1859. So, is there a Southern movement?
Sure are a lot of battles (re-enactments) planned. One of the first Sesquicentennial events was held in East Texas. It was called the Road to Secession. It's purpose? To talk about the reasons for secession in 1860. One of the most important speakers, Donnie Kennedy, author of The South Was Right, spoke about the importance of history as the creator of today. And, if you drive the South you will see alot of Confederate naval ensigns! Those are the Confederate battle flags, the beautiiful colors of a crimson field with a blue cross outline in white, and white stars. And they aren't just flying on the back roads of East Texas! Get on some of them interstates in Dixie and you will see some garrison sized (huge) flags flying for all to see.
But let's go back to the question. Is there a Southern movement? Well, for starters, how 'bout search the word Dixie on the internet. How many hits do you get? No, you are kidding. Well, before we report that number, let's search the word Yankee. How many hits do you get? 23,000,000...wow that's a lot! Bet that snuffs out Dixie!? You said what? How many hits for Dixie? Oh my goodness...103,000,000....You have to be kidding! Four times the number of hits for Yankee.
Hmm, that many hits? Best look into this question a little further. Is there a Southern movement?
Well, let's see if we can make a list of likely candidates who might be part of a Southern movement. Let's see, there's the United Daughters of the Confederacy (U.D.C.), the Sons of Confederate Veterans (S.C.V.), the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, (MOS&B), the Order of the Confederate Rose (O.C.R.), the Descendants of the Confederacy, (D.C.V.), the League of the South (L.o.S.), the Southern National Congress (S.N.C.), Southern Dixie Radio, Dixie Radio, Abbeville Institute, and the list just keeps going! Wow, that's a lot of alphabet soup there. And, we haven't mentioned the tens of thousands of southern re-enactors, or the publishers and authors who write about Dixie. And then there's Dixie Outfitters, a very successful commercial enterprise and outstanding web site!
And then there's the unexpected Confederates. Yep, like HK Edgerton, and Nelson Wimbush two of the best known African American Confederates and spokesmen today! They tell the story of their people in the fight for Southern liberty. And, how ‘bout the Mexican-American Confederates, or an entire Confederate colony in Brazil that is alive and well today? Yep.
Hmmm, and then there's all the bands, musicians, comics, the Grande Ole Opry, and on, and on. Every been to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville? Check out the words on the balcony!
So is there a Southern movement? Well, I took some time to really research this question, interview some of the people mentioned above. Explore and meet the "Confederates in the Attic," so to speak, to see if I could determine if there is a Southern movement. What I found was interesting, profound, and took more than 7000 words to tell the story. If you are interested in learning more I invite you to visit either Southern Heritage News and Views, or THE CONFEDERATE WAR COLLEGE, and take a gander at the many different groups and aspects of the Southern movement, if it exists.
There is something else to consider. There is one recently developed genealogical formula developed by Dr. Ray James, and his colleagues at Texas A & M, that estimates the number of living descendants of Confederate gray. The number? How’s the number 80 million strike ya? If just one of your grandparents was born south of the Mason Dixon - Line there's a good chance you could be a descendant and qualified to join the Sons of Confederate Veterans or the United Daughters of the Confederacy. 80 million is a big number, about one in four people liviing in America today.
Before I leave you, let me tell you what the Southern is NOT. It is not racist. African Americans, Mexicans, Indians of many tribes (native Americans), all fought for the Confederacy. While there was not one black officer in the Union navy, there was one in the Confederate! Is there racism in the South? As much as there is racism in California or New England.
Yes, but is there a movement?
There seems to be some evidence that it might exist. South Carolina certainly changed the GOP Primary political landscape. That pesky Bible Belt, and all those Christians! Florida which is a kind of amalgam of deep South and New York City is only "South" in the rural areas, in places along the west coast, and in northern Florida near Georgia. Yankee occupation sits in most of the state. And, it hasn't been that long ago that Governor Rick Perry of Texas talked about secession in modern terms.
The views expressed
in this article are those of Mark Vogl only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
Mark Vogl is solely responsible for the contents
of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated
with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
