Once upon a time, I watched an episode of Roots (for the second time) in the lobby of a women's dorm on the USC campus. Sitting about 2 feet away was a white female student. We watched in silence and shed tears together, two feet apart.
There has never been anything about a Civil War re-enactment that made me want to put on a blue uniform and cosplay animosity against the gray, even though I have a distant ancestor who was in the Mass 54th.
So my slavery blocker is internal. The trick to your inner peace might be found hanging out in colonial Williamsburg where you are quite unlikely to find any slavediggers. I know you have nothing to prove. But wouldn't it be fun to let them know, with a calm straight face, that you are free to come and go to such places as you please, while they're still afraid of ghosts.
These are the things yesterday which stayed with me. No slavery blockers were needed/smile.
1. A man born in 1913 is buried steps from the home of his birth.
2. Such a man is buried next to the love of his life.
3. A grandfather in his 80s shares wisdom of a lifetime with the young generation.
4. A daughter looks upon her father with affection and fondness as she remembers the stories of her childhood.
5. A grand daughter, all of 20 years old, greets her 80ish grandfather with a kiss. She snuggles up close to her 50s mom and takes in grandfather's stories as if hearing of the White House for the first time.
These details will remain with me for some time, not things unseen thousands of miles away from me.
I do not weep at the world—I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.... Someone is always at my elbow reminding me that I am the grand-daughter of slaves. It fails to register depression with me. Slavery is sixty years in the past. The operation was successful and the patient is doing well, thank you. The terrible struggle that made me an American out of a potential slave said “On the line!” The Reconstruction said “Get set!”; and the generation before said “Go!” I am off to a flying start and I must not halt in the stretch to look behind and weep. from “How it Feels to Be Colored Me” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zora_Neale_Hurston
About historical figures and memorials: I would be willing to listen to both sides in a respectful manner. As a daughter of the south, I would want to clarify the precedence (if any) for removing names and statues, and I would also ask the other side, ostensibly concerned with erasing history, if they would be interested in adding more statues and information to honor and learn the history of those on both sides.
My cousin Rosa always felt the answer was to add more statutes from our history, particularly black American history. For example, there is a statute of James Meredith at Ole Miss next to a Confederate statute. Rosa always felt (1) removing statutes bred resentment and (2) adding statutes of black historical figures reinforced the idea that our history, our complete history, is a marvelous blend of Confederate and Union, black and white, slave owner and slave. We are a mixed people in the South. Our statutes should manifest how mixed we all are.
Once upon a time, I watched an episode of Roots (for the second time) in the lobby of a women's dorm on the USC campus. Sitting about 2 feet away was a white female student. We watched in silence and shed tears together, two feet apart.
There has never been anything about a Civil War re-enactment that made me want to put on a blue uniform and cosplay animosity against the gray, even though I have a distant ancestor who was in the Mass 54th.
So my slavery blocker is internal. The trick to your inner peace might be found hanging out in colonial Williamsburg where you are quite unlikely to find any slavediggers. I know you have nothing to prove. But wouldn't it be fun to let them know, with a calm straight face, that you are free to come and go to such places as you please, while they're still afraid of ghosts.
Your last paragraph is perfectly stated.
What a great comment. All of this is so tiring, and in the grand scheme of things, serves no real purpose.
These are the things yesterday which stayed with me. No slavery blockers were needed/smile.
1. A man born in 1913 is buried steps from the home of his birth.
2. Such a man is buried next to the love of his life.
3. A grandfather in his 80s shares wisdom of a lifetime with the young generation.
4. A daughter looks upon her father with affection and fondness as she remembers the stories of her childhood.
5. A grand daughter, all of 20 years old, greets her 80ish grandfather with a kiss. She snuggles up close to her 50s mom and takes in grandfather's stories as if hearing of the White House for the first time.
These details will remain with me for some time, not things unseen thousands of miles away from me.
I do not weep at the world—I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.... Someone is always at my elbow reminding me that I am the grand-daughter of slaves. It fails to register depression with me. Slavery is sixty years in the past. The operation was successful and the patient is doing well, thank you. The terrible struggle that made me an American out of a potential slave said “On the line!” The Reconstruction said “Get set!”; and the generation before said “Go!” I am off to a flying start and I must not halt in the stretch to look behind and weep. from “How it Feels to Be Colored Me” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zora_Neale_Hurston
Nice. quote. I remember that quote from one of my early Substack essays. I cannot say it better than Zora Neale Hurston.
Thank you again for your common sense.
More common sense is needed in the world. Thanks for your comment.
About historical figures and memorials: I would be willing to listen to both sides in a respectful manner. As a daughter of the south, I would want to clarify the precedence (if any) for removing names and statues, and I would also ask the other side, ostensibly concerned with erasing history, if they would be interested in adding more statues and information to honor and learn the history of those on both sides.
My cousin Rosa always felt the answer was to add more statutes from our history, particularly black American history. For example, there is a statute of James Meredith at Ole Miss next to a Confederate statute. Rosa always felt (1) removing statutes bred resentment and (2) adding statutes of black historical figures reinforced the idea that our history, our complete history, is a marvelous blend of Confederate and Union, black and white, slave owner and slave. We are a mixed people in the South. Our statutes should manifest how mixed we all are.
A beautiful and wise sentiment.
Deep comment.