HISTORY, WORDS AND ACTIONS MATTER

Beenetworknews History, Words and Actions Matter segment is for those individuals who may or may not be aware of this nation’s complete  history, understand the power of words, or the actions powered by the intentional misuse of words.  Issues surrounding  the Confederacy, African-Americans and the Justice System,  the U.S. Constitution or Unjust Policies all contribute to the civility and tolerance we show toward one another.  Many forget that as a democracy Americans must stand united to defend against threats from outside and inside its borders.  In addition, they  fail to remember that prejudice, bigotry, sexism or intolerance from within will not only divided us but surely contribute to our demise as a nation.

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There are a number of people expressing their feelings toward the recent band on the Confederate Flag.  They say it is unfair and has little if nothing to do with the issue of slavery, but more to do with their culture and southern heritage – not white supremacy or treason.  The following comments were expressed by the designer of the Confederate Flag William Tappan Thompson and the Vice President of the Confederate States Alexander Stephens.

In a series of editorials William Tappan Williams wrote:

William Tappan Thompson. Photo Courtesy: New Georgia Encyclopedia / Wikimedia

“As a people, we are fighting to maintain the Heaven-ordained supremacy of the white man over the inferior or colored race; a white flag would thus be emblematical of our cause.^[4]… Such a flag…would soon take rank among the proudest ensigns of the nations, and be hailed by the civilized world as the white mans flag.^[5]… As a national emblem, it is significant of our higher cause, the cause of a superior race, and a higher civilization contending against ignorance, infidelity, and barbarism. Another merit in the new flag is, that it bears no resemblance to the now infamous banner of the Yankee vandals.^{[6][9]”  Read more.}

Alexander Stephens. Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia.

Alexander Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy said in his Cornerstone Speech:

“Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth. This truth has been slow in the process of its development, like all other truths in the various departments of science. It has been so even amongst us.

Many who hear me, perhaps, can recollect well, that this truth was not generally admitted, even within their day. The errors of the past generation still clung to many as late as twenty years ago. Those at the North, who still cling to these errors, with a zeal above knowledge, we justly denominate fanatics. All fanaticism springs from an aberration of the mind from a defect in reasoning. It is a species of insanity. One of the most striking characteristics of insanity, in many instances, is forming correct conclusions from fancied or erroneous premises; so with the anti-slavery fanatics. Their conclusions are right if their premises were.

They assume that the negro is equal, and hence conclude that he is entitled to equal privileges and rights with the white man. If their premises were correct, their conclusions would be logical and just but their premise being wrong, their whole argument fails. I recollect once of having heard a gentleman from one of the northern States, of great power and ability, announce in the House of Representatives, with imposing effect, that we of the South would be compelled, ultimately, to yield upon this subject of slavery, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics, as it was in physics or mechanics. That the principle would ultimately prevail. That we, in maintaining slavery as it exists with us, were warring against a principle, a principle founded in nature, the principle of the equality of men. The reply I made to him was, that upon his own grounds, we should, ultimately, succeed, and that he and his associates, in this crusade against our institutions, would ultimately fail. The truth announced, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics as it was in physics and mechanics, I admitted; but told him that it was he, and those acting with him, who were warring against a principle. They were attempting to make things equal which the Creator had made unequal.”  Read more.

First national flag with 7 stars (March 4, 1861 – May 21, 1861) Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

First national flag with 9 stars (May 21, 1861 – July 2, 1861) Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

First national flag with 11 stars (July 2, 1861 – November 28, 1861) Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

First national flag with 13 stars
(November 28, 1861 – May 1, 1863[17]) Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

The second national flag of the Confederate States of America. William T. Thompson. Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia.

The Real History of The Confederate Flag 

SOURCE:  msnbc

The Confederate Flag:  Views from the Heart of Dixie

SOURCE:  NewCreatureFeatures

Black Confederate

SOURCE:  Traci Brown