Quote:
Originally Posted by Autumn Bolan
I will answer this more in depth tomorrow, but for now here are two books I recommend...
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I look forward to that tomorrow. I've yet to take a look the first book, but it seems like an interesting read. The second book (based on a synopsis) seems to capture the main bullet point of my previous assertion. Regardless of the North's "reason" for war, it's about money and power at the core. The primary contention to that is Slaves. Yes, Lincoln had a personal distaste for slavery, but was also quoted as saying:
“If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that. What I do about slavery and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union.”
Which leads back to my point about the civil war being about money and power despite most history teacher's portrayal of Lincoln as the great slave freer. If you look at the Confederate state's Declaration of Causes (found here:
http://www.civilwar.org/education/hi...nofcauses.html) you'll notice that slavery is EXTREMELY present in their reasoning behind seceding (of course among other reasons).
Regardless of the underlying reason for slavery, differences of opinion between 2 entities, and ultimately proposed secession; one faction stood in favor of, one faction stood against slavery. Despite the Facebook click bait message, that flag represents states that were pro-slavery, original intention of the flag notwithstanding. From my perspective (and probably most black people's), it's difficult if not impossible not to view a "battle flag" that represented states who were pro slavery not to represent slavery.
From the perspective of free speech however, I defend the right to personally own, hang, wear etc. a confederate flag despite personal opinions of my self or others. If stores want to remove them in wake of the shooting, well it's up to the corporations to make that decision if they want to sell or not sell them.