The Black Republican

A lot of times, I'll go tripping through a series of a series of websites in sequence so fast that I'm overloaded with ideas and emotions and can't properly formulate a coherent post about the topic. At that point, what I have to say about each page I visited is so minimal that I'm inclined to add the first page to Recommended Reading and leave it at that. But I can't do that, because the nature of the subject matter absolutely screams for commentary.

What's a person to do in this case? Perhaps the best choice would be to simply throw out the links I've visited, with minimal commentary and ask for discussion of the content - and perhaps as important, their inter-relation to one another. Maybe I'll save up these kinds of experiences when I get them during any given week and come back to them as a recurring event under this title on Tuesdays.

(But, of course, don't hold your breath for that.) ;-)

The focal point of today's Tiptoe is Spike Lee's new movie, CSA: The Confederate States of America.

The first thing that caught my eye was the section titled "Timeline".

I can't figure out which "in-depth" item turned my stomach more: Einstein or the pope. Of course, it's just satire... right?

Most of the other pages I visited were hyperlinked from the "pages" of "CSA Today" (accessible from the main page by clicking "The Real C.S.A.").

The lead-in titled "Museum celebrates slavery" links to the Jim Crow Museum, whose Q&A section includes a very interesting analysis of Amos 'n Andy - a show I'll admit I've never seen, but criticisms like this make me wonder which racist TV producers must have created The Honeymooners and Married With Children.

Of course, the answer to my obvious bigotry is found at this site, which tells me that my impression is just a product of white privilege. Meanwhile, the lead-in article from the CSA movie site is almost a parody of itself. The subtly perverse logic involved is truly masterful.

If we must show respect to all other groups, why should we be permitted to dismiss political correctness when it applies to Native people? Why are Native people the only race of people that are permitted to be used as mascots? Interchange the name of any race with the Indians and it immediately becomes clear that we can not have teams called The Negroes, The Asians or The Jews. (emphasis in original)

Never hear of the Homestead Grays? Atlanta Black Crackers? Indianapolis Clowns and Zulu Cannibal Giants?! Okay, okay... some of those may refute the boldfaced claim, yet are also clearly racist. But how about these guys? Is it racist for black men to take on the nickname of pugilistic Irishmen?

Oh, I forgot. It's just more white privilege.

Getting back to "CSA Today".... The "Money" page teaser leads to Slavery in America. Which, of course, begs the question why we don't hear about slavery in Africa.

Probably for the same reason we're supposed to see satire in linking from "Forrest Memorial Unveiled: National hero recognized" to a real site defending a Nathan Bedford Forrest memorial. Because the founder of the KKK is so obviously someone beyond redemption it parodies itself, right? Ironically enough, that site led me to this, via the general's Wikipedia entry:

A convention and BBQ was held by the Independent Order of Pole-Bearers Association at the fairgrounds of Memphis, five miles east of the city. An invitation to speak was conveyed to General Nathan Bedford Forrest, one of the city's most prominent citizens, and one of the foremost cavalry commanders in the late War Between the States. This was the first invitation granted to a white man to speak at this gathering. The invitation's purpose, one of the leaders said, was to extend peace, joy, and union, and following a brief welcoming address a Miss Lou Lewis, daughter of an officer of the Pole-Bearers, brought forward flowers and assurances that she conveyed them as a token of good will. After Miss Lewis handed him the flowers, General Forrest responded with a short speech that, in the contemporary pages of the Memphis Appeal, evinces Forrest's racial open-mindedness that seemed to have been growing in him.

Ladies and Gentlemen I accept the flowers as a memento of reconciliation between the white and colored races of the southern states. I accept it more particularly as it comes from a colored lady, for if there is any one on God's earth who loves the ladies I believe it is myself. ( Immense applause and laughter.) I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe I can exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power to elevate every man to depress none. (Applause.) I want to elevate you to take positions in law offices, in stores, on farms, and wherever you are capable of going. I have not said anything about politics today. I don't propose to say anything about politics. You have a right to elect whom you please; vote for the man you think best, and I think, when that is done, you and I are freemen. Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to make you a long speech, although invited to do so by you. I am not much of a speaker, and my business prevented me from preparing myself. I came to meet you as friends, and welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so. We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly, and when you are oppressed I'll come to your relief. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this opportunity you have afforded me to be with you, and to assure you that I am with you in heart and in hand. (Prolonged applause.)

Whereupon N. B. Forrest again thanked Miss Lewis for the bouquet and then gave her a kiss on the cheek. Such a kiss was unheard of in the society of those days, in 1875, but it showed a token of respect and friendship between the general and the black community and did much to promote harmony among the citizens of Memphis.

Here I must pause and acknowledge the axiom: Don't believe everything you read on the Internet. I'm sure if we were to ask him, Spike Lee would deny he ever endorsed such... um... barbecue sauce.

The Scratching Post