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Growing Up White in the South Is Not an Excuse for Racism
The Clayton Bigsby Defense won’t cut it anymore.
I’ve posted a number of stories about growing up in the American South (appended at the end of this article).
If you were born circa 1970 or later, or you were born outside of the American South, you might think that the Rebel flag brigade were simply a conclave of people rallying to preserve their heritage. “Good people on both sides.”
The contention is that these people have a right to express their views, just like everyone else.
Confusing a right with a result can prove fatal to the innocent and the oppressed.
The “good ole boy” mentality (emphasis on the patriarchal notion of “boy” i.e. male innocence) avers that the era bracketed by the Dred Scott decision and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was characterized by a belief in individual (i.e. states’) rights. Just decent White folks trying to live their lives.
As someone who grew up here, I have a single take: If you defend the Confederate cause (regardless of where or when you were born), you are as guilty of racist oppression as the most ignoble sheet-wearing KKK member. You may think you’re being open minded, but your stance will probably have results you have not intended.
