nysoldiers
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2008
- Messages
- 2,372
I was going to let this argument peter out but I think there are important issues that should be discussed on a forum for military miniature collectors and history buffs. Personally, I welcome listening to the "other side" of an issue and have always found the forum both interesting and educational. As long as we are respectful and keep an open mind opposing views can be part of this platform. Democracy works when we can discuss opposing views and come up with a compromise.
The United States is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religion and multi-political society. What makes our country work, for the most part, is tolerance, respect, sensitivity and knowledge. I said earler that I agree that sometimes "political correctness" gets out of hand. But, on many occasions "PC" is just used as an excuse for not trying to understand the offended parties background, experiences and sensitivity.
When several Native American groups protested the name of the football team, Washington Redskins, my initial thought was "PC" gone too far. However, after listening and researching the arguments from the Native American side I became more empathetic. "Redskin" was a derogatory term used by white settlers and Indian reservation staff for many years. And, we don't have any teams named "whiteskins, blackskins or yellowskins" do we?
In regards to the statue of the Confederate soldier I stated that it could be construed as offensive mainly because it is in front of a court house. I see no problem with statues and memorials to Confederate soldiers on battlefields, in museums and memorial parks. Those who support the statue location argue that it is just a generic soldier who fought for the Confederacy and represents local history. From your perspective that is correct and maybe in this case the resentment would be minimal. Now put it in front of a court of law in the South, however, and another perspective has to be acknowledged.
The Civil War ended slavery but it certainly did not end discrimination, segregation and violence against African Americans. Not "getting stuck with carrying dead people's baggage" when the wounds are still raw is not really a fair agrument. While most Confederate soldiers did not own slaves they did support the institution and certainly supported the view that "Negros" were inferior to white people and did not deserve equal rights.
In addition we know that orders were given to Confederate soldiers to execute African American Union soldiers who were purpotedly runaway slaves.
Most importanly we know that along with the South's history of segregation and discrimination juries of all white males were notorious for allowing perpertrators of heinous crimes against African Americans to go free or get minor punishments. Now you see that putting this statue in front of a court house could be troubling to a minority that has a history of grievances with courts in the South.
I am a New Yorker but I lived in the South (Huntsville, Alabama and Florence, South Carolina), traveled extensively in the South for business and did my military service in the South. I know attitudes have changed and most of the people are fair minded and tolerant. My experiences in the seventies and eighties, not that long ago, were not positive and illustrated to me that discrimination and prejudice were still very much alive.
In conclusion my point is that sometimes we need to step back and really try to understand the history and sensitivity of those who have been the recipients of injustice. Minorities must also realize that new generations are not obliged to carry the guilt of their forefathers. So I stand by my argument that I can empathize with those who might be offended by the statue in front of the court house. I don't think it has to be moved but the city government should at least acknowledge that their decision could have been better thought out.
The United States is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religion and multi-political society. What makes our country work, for the most part, is tolerance, respect, sensitivity and knowledge. I said earler that I agree that sometimes "political correctness" gets out of hand. But, on many occasions "PC" is just used as an excuse for not trying to understand the offended parties background, experiences and sensitivity.
When several Native American groups protested the name of the football team, Washington Redskins, my initial thought was "PC" gone too far. However, after listening and researching the arguments from the Native American side I became more empathetic. "Redskin" was a derogatory term used by white settlers and Indian reservation staff for many years. And, we don't have any teams named "whiteskins, blackskins or yellowskins" do we?
In regards to the statue of the Confederate soldier I stated that it could be construed as offensive mainly because it is in front of a court house. I see no problem with statues and memorials to Confederate soldiers on battlefields, in museums and memorial parks. Those who support the statue location argue that it is just a generic soldier who fought for the Confederacy and represents local history. From your perspective that is correct and maybe in this case the resentment would be minimal. Now put it in front of a court of law in the South, however, and another perspective has to be acknowledged.
The Civil War ended slavery but it certainly did not end discrimination, segregation and violence against African Americans. Not "getting stuck with carrying dead people's baggage" when the wounds are still raw is not really a fair agrument. While most Confederate soldiers did not own slaves they did support the institution and certainly supported the view that "Negros" were inferior to white people and did not deserve equal rights.
In addition we know that orders were given to Confederate soldiers to execute African American Union soldiers who were purpotedly runaway slaves.
Most importanly we know that along with the South's history of segregation and discrimination juries of all white males were notorious for allowing perpertrators of heinous crimes against African Americans to go free or get minor punishments. Now you see that putting this statue in front of a court house could be troubling to a minority that has a history of grievances with courts in the South.
I am a New Yorker but I lived in the South (Huntsville, Alabama and Florence, South Carolina), traveled extensively in the South for business and did my military service in the South. I know attitudes have changed and most of the people are fair minded and tolerant. My experiences in the seventies and eighties, not that long ago, were not positive and illustrated to me that discrimination and prejudice were still very much alive.
In conclusion my point is that sometimes we need to step back and really try to understand the history and sensitivity of those who have been the recipients of injustice. Minorities must also realize that new generations are not obliged to carry the guilt of their forefathers. So I stand by my argument that I can empathize with those who might be offended by the statue in front of the court house. I don't think it has to be moved but the city government should at least acknowledge that their decision could have been better thought out.
)-Total population in Radstock?- 5620 people. Total Muslims living in Radstock-16.
