Why A Southern Perspective of the Rebellion's 150th?

A Shreveport educator has been elected national head of Sons of Confederate Veterans

The above mug shot was taken from this article.  The educator, and I use that term lightly, pictured is Charles “Chuck” McMichael of Shreveport, La. and is now the new head of the largest Confederate “Heritage” Organization in the country…The SCV.

In the article Mr. McMichael briefly explained that the SCV would be working over the next couple of years towards the goal of presenting the “southern perspective” of the civil war for the 150th anniversary starting in 2011.  He says,

“One overall goal will be working to prepare for the sesquicentennial of the Cause for Southern Independence to make sure the true history is presented to the people. And in all instances and everywhere uphold the honor of our Confederate heritage.”

  

I am constantly perplexed about the idea of having to put forth a “southern perspective”.  What is the purpose of the “southern perspective”?  What is the “southern perspective” compared to the main line interpretation of the events of the Rebellion?  Is there a fully “Northern perspective” of the Rebellion that differs not only from the main line perspective, but from the “southern perspective”?  Will the “southern perspective contain information about “Black Confederates” or Confederate slaves and will that story be told by the old white men that make up the SCV or will African-Americans have some input? (Let’s hope they use more African-Americans besides old H.K.!)

I know that as your read those questions you already know the answer just as much as I did when I wrote them.  I fear that this “southern perspective” will be a continuation of the Lost Cause Mythology that this country is now beginning to shake off.  I have already heard of showings of “Gone with the Wind” in some southern towns…but maybe this is just typical and not connected with anything but nostalgia.  I wonder how soon we will see special showings of “Birth of a Nations”?…maybe at the White House again!

Also, on a more personal note – as a teacher myself, I would love to be a fly on the wall of Mr. McMichael’s classroom.  If you ever wonder how or why the myth of the lost cause continues to permeate our nation’s character, it is because of teachers like Mr. McMichael.  Could being a teacher and the CIC of the SCV be a conflict of interest?

About these ads