Friday, September 2, 2016

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column for September 2016

INCLUSIVENESS
“(Multi-millionaire) San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is refusing to stand for the national anthem before games because he believes the United States oppresses African Americans and other minorities. ''I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,'' Kaepernick said. ''There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.'' Kaepernick, who is biracial, was adopted and raised by white parents. He has been outspoken on his Twitter account on civil rights issues and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.” (http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2016/08/27/niners-qb-kaepernick-refuses-to-stand-for-anthem-in-protest.html) Apparently, although Kaepernick’s parents obviously embody a spirit of inclusiveness adopting a biracial child although they are “oppressive” whites, Kaepernick chooses to promote division between races and between himself and all patriotic Americans.  Encouraging a Black Lives Matter dialogue such as was permitted at the University of Missouri in student protests though has proven to have detrimental effects on race relations and the accompanying community social health and vibrancy.  “The University of Missouri’s (MU) flagship Columbia campus has officially lost a staggering 23 percent of its freshman class this year, an even worse figure than administrators initially predicted in the wake of major racial strife. MU’s freshman class this year has some 4,799 students, a drop of over 1,400 from last year.”  (http://dailycaller.com/2016/08/24/black-lives-matter-has-officially-cost-mizzou-2100-students/#ixzz4IMCkyIRH) And who would blame parents for hesitating to send their precious children to a campus and make a tuition and alumni investment in a university condoning and folding under militant black extremism and threatened violence against whites and law enforcement? “The (enrollment) decline is wreaking havoc on the school’s budget, which has a hole of about $30 million. To contain costs and reflect its shrinking population, the school has already shuttered several dormitories. It’s not hard to find the cause of the school’s woes. Last year, the black activist group Concerned Student 1950 launched a major protest effort, claiming the school was a hotbed of racism. Campus officials focused on trying to placate protesters and meet their demands, but this only spurred follow-up protests. As imitation protests sprung up all over the country, MU rapidly became identified with a new, more vigorous brand of disruptive campus activism bolstered by the Black Lives Matter movement. Evidently, that reputation is causing thousands of students to stay far away.” (dailycaller.com) Sounds something like Detroit as thousands of families flee the effect of urban blight on that and other cities affected by thug gangs, crime and progressive social programs and enlightenment. 

But certainly not in the conservative deep South.  Unfortunately so.  “The University of Mississippi has officially dumped “Dixie” so they can be more inclusive. I fear old times there will soon be forgotten, folks.  The athletic department released a statement Friday announcing that the beloved Southern song will no longer be played at home football games ending yet another long-held tradition. “Dixie” was first played by the Ole Miss band around 1948, Mississippi Today reports. "Because the Pride of the South is such a large part of our overall experience and tradition, the Athletics Department asked them to create a new and modern (progressive) pregame show that does not include Dixie and is more inclusive for all fans, the statement went on to read.”  It’s only a matter of time before Ole Miss replaces fried catfish and sweet tea with fermented soy sandwiches and beverages made from lawn clippings — all for the sake of inclusivity.” (http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/08/20/ole-miss-dumps-dixie-from-football-games.html) Just wait til sweet tea and Coca Cola are taxed out of the tailgate tents in the Grove before the home games there in Oxford.  Just wait – its already happening across the country as administrators and government officials know what’s best for us.  “"It's an important step forward for our university as we attempt to reconcile and understand our relationship with our Old South past," student government leader Allen Coon told the Commercial Appeal. "Ending the use of 'Dixie' promotes inclusivity and makes room for traditions that all UM students can connect with."  In its quest to be politically correct, I wonder if Ole Miss will also ban various genres of music that include offensive lyrics about women (and) use a certain racial epithet? Ole Miss has been shedding its Southern heritage for quite some time now. Confederate flags have been effectively banned since 1997, reports Mississippi Today. Last year, they banned the Mississippi State flag.”  (foxnews.com) Think about that. Certainly staying seated for the anthem of an oppressive nation is acceptable behavior when the flag of one’s home state is reviled and forbidden. “From the pages of the Daily Journal we learned that Confederate Drive was renamed along with handheld Confederate flags. And in 2009 they told the band to stop playing “From Dixie With Love,” in part because fans were yelling “The South will rise again” during the song. A reader of the Oxford Eagle summed up the sentiment of many Mississippians. “Ole Miss is despicable for doing this,” the gentleman wrote. “The university keeps bowing before the boot of political correctness. It would be foolish to think the progressive academic elites have concluded their quest to eradicate Southern culture and traditions. It ain’t over, folks. It won’t be long before someone mounts a campaign to remove the word “Rebel” from the school’s athletic teams.”  (foxnews.com) The only way to curb this insanity is to stand up and shout, for alumni and donors to remove the funding for the tenured prima donna faculty and administration and for the school itself – stop supporting this Reconstructionist purging. “Meanwhile, progressive liberals continue to bulldoze across the Southern states burning, torching and tearing down every vestige and cultural tradition of the Deep South much like General Sherman did during the Civil War.  Look away Dixieland — just look away.” (foxnews.com)


And don’t look for sensibility or an embracing of Southern heritage and tradition and the value of honoring the people who helped build their very institutions at Vanderbilt University. “Vanderbilt University announced Monday that it will pay more than a million dollars to remove an inscription containing the word "Confederate" from one of its campus dorms. The private university has referred to the Confederate Memorial Hall simply as "Memorial Hall" since 2002, but was blocked in court from changing the name chiseled on the building because it was constructed with the help of a $50,000 gift from the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1933. Under the agreement, Vanderbilt will pay $1.2 million, the equivalent of the gift made 83 years ago, to the organization's Tennessee chapter. In exchange, the chapter will relinquish its naming rights to the building. "You can memorialize individuals without taking sides in the bloodiest war that was fought over the divisive issues of slavery and equality that we're still struggling with today for those young people coming onto campus," Vanderbilt Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos said.” (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/08/16/vanderbilt-pays-1-2m-to-remove-confederate-from-dorm-name.html) Was that what the War was fought over, slavery and equality?  And how would Mr. Zeppos propose the Confederate heroes be honored as he chisels away any mention of them from the face of this university building?  How preposterous.  Zeppos, a name not quite steeped in American heritage and renowned in American history books.  Kinda like Nicki Haley of SC.  Reconstruction continues folks by people who have no knowledge or appreciation of the true history of our country.  Inclusiveness only at the exclusion of all things associated with Southern heritage and our own Confederate history.  It is discouraging but we should look proudly at our own organization not only for the true proud history we espouse but also for the inclusivity guaranteed by our SCV Constitution.  An examination of the Confederate Army will show that not only wealthy and poor whites but thousands of blacks, Jews, immigrants and even many native American Indians were conspicuous in the ranks.  Many Indian tribes fought for the Confederacy as they recognized U.S. imperialism endangered their way of life. Brigadier General Stand Watie, Cherokee commander of the First Indian Brigade surrendered his unit of Confederate Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, and Osage Indians in Oklahoma, June 23, 1865, two months after Appomattox. It is my observation that minority SCV members and compatriots are universally celebrated as it proves the truth of the Cause our ancestors held dear and for which they took up arms.  That is an inclusivity which is not divisive.  

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