Adam, I am so happy that U wrote this article. Excellent, accurate information. I, & many other black folks, have known about this. Too many other Americans are woefully ignorant of these facts. I was USAF 1968-1972. Driving through Fayetteville in military, 1969, HUGE billboard at entrance of town said "Support Knights of the KKK. Fight Communism & Integration". Later, 1971, while at Da Nang AFB Vietnam, the barracks beside mine had a room in it with a full size confederate battle flag covering the window. Just the tip of the iceberg regarding things I've seen & experienced. Point is, I know there are many great Americans out there. They just need to educate themselves more about the true cause of the civil war, & the GOP "Southern strategy". The GOP needs to stop with the dog whistles. That can fool /distract some Americans, but not Americans like me. Proud veteran. Dad proud WW2 veteran. Will never stop fighting to make America better. Again, thanks for the great article, & for your leadership!
Totally agree with you. I live in the South, and confederate flags are common, as is support for old confederate monuments. Of interest, after the war Robert E Lee specifically did not want any monuments to the confederacy. His concern was that they would "keep open the wounds of war."
Nikki Haley is the poster child for attempting to say whatever she thinks her audience wants to hear. The impact of the Civil War continues abetted by sneaking, slimy political types and their followers.
For Americans to claim the Confederate flag as “heritage” is like a German flying a Nazi flag in honor of theirs. That an entire political party is willing to genuflect before a symbol of racism, hatred, and inequality, speaks volumes about precisely who and what they are. My fervent dream is that out of this mess of racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and misogyny, true conservatives might coalesce to form a Party of actual fiscal responsibility (not just virtue-signaling via our national budget) and of social moderation. It is too late for the likes of the current crop of Republicans, but I think that there are Americans who would gravitate in that direction. For now, to avoid elevating the mess, vote blue.
Thanks for the historical context. Lee Atwater, a South Carolina native, was proud of his Machiavellian tactics. He rose to national prominence quickly. Then he developed an inoperable brain tumor and died at age 40. His smear tactics were used against DNC Chair Ron Brown, a black strategist for the Democratic Party. While there is dispute about whether Atwater was repentant about his tactics, it is worth noting that he did apologize to Ron Brown, who visited Atwater frequently as his health declined. To me, Brown's forgiveness and compassion were a sign of humanity overcoming hatefulness.
I was born in SC and grew up in NC and we were never taught about slavery and the civil war. All I knew was Northerner's were Yankees and we did not like them. The confederate flag was just a way of showing the world you were a southerner. My parents were racists, you know the old style kind - didn't talk about it openly but the attitude and language would slip.
I have no idea how I escaped that whole mindset, but I did get the hell out of dodge when I was 27 and moved to CA.
Now Haley has said she would pardon Trump if elected. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?
I grew up in a small town (50,000) in northern Indiana, not rural but suburban. At aged 27, the company I worked for transferred me to a new branch in Florida( this was 1978). What a difference in how blacks were treated than what I experienced in my upbringing. I distinctly remember shortly after arriving in FL saying “thank you” and smiled to a cashier at the grocery store who happened to be black. She looked back at me with such a shocked look then shyly smiled back. The common curtesy we showed in the north definitely did not translate to the south. For sure there were discriminatory actions of prejudice existing in the north. But there was such a subversive undercurrent of racism in the south that I was taken aback. For southerners to say “it’s part of our heritage “ (who would want reminders of the huge numbers of deaths, both North and South in the Civil War and continue to glorify that for the next generations?) would be like Germany keeping the Nazi salute and the swastika symbol displayed everywhere because it’s a part of “their heritage”. Yes, remember so as to not repeat history, but erect statues and monuments, no.
Yes, you are exactly right, Adam! Living in Tennessee and Georgia growing up that has always been the reason (excuse) for keeping the old symbols of the South around…heritage! I often wonder if the same people who claim that would want to hang onto a noose if their grandfather had been hanged for murder (for instance) since that was part of their “heritage” Symbols of hatred, division, and immorality need to be in museums and discussed as a part of history so as to never be repeated but not in front of courthouses, townsquares, or other places that exclude anyone from a reminder that they have a heritage in America of democracy and equal treatment under the law. God help us in this pursuit and that we go forward in that pursuit not back!
Nikki Haley gives the impression that she is a reasonable, honorable, respectful person. However she endorsed Little Donnie and avoids telling the truth about him now. She tries to thread the needle and avoid pissing off the "good people on both sides." Coddling MAGAs--Trump's marks--is the same as being one of them. (As Charlie Munger once observed, "When you mix raisins with turds, they are all turds.") Her lack of courage to call them out, and stand up for the truth about Little Donnie's Big Con, is far worse than this racist dogwhistle mini scandal. The big issue is that she is on the side of the sleezeballs who shit in the Capitol building.
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." THIS DOES NOT SAY LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL WHITE PEOPLE ONLY!!
Excellent piece. I recall in the past Nikki Haley's pandering to the base on race / Confederate flag - a pattern here. (Although I give her credit for taking the Confederate flag off of the state capitol as governor). But also troubling is her promise to pardon Trump if she wins and he is convicted. That's more pandering to the base, plus a low view of the 'rule of law.' Adam, would love for you to write about this kind of Republican double-speak while claiming to be the party of 'law & order.'
I naively thought my area of Southern California was a safe place for all to live. Then my black friend confided in me the fear she felt driving twice daily through a small enclave to my little city. Several houses displayed confederate flags making her SO afraid. My very white self had never given it a thought.The fear she felt broke my heart. Now, when I drive through that enclave, I see MAGA signs and flags. To me, that message is the same of hate and ignorance. I know this is wrong but I want to tear them down!
I have been forgiven for my ignorance and I will give a pass to someone else, ONCE! Nikki Haley knows better and as written, follows the same pattern of appealing to her audience. I don't want that in a president!
Thanks, Adam for educating us on this sensitive topic.
Orange County CA is one of the most racist places I've ever lived & I lived in Alabama as a kid. Too many white John Birchers there, home of Jan 6 insurrectionists.
Oh wow! I didn't realize it was "that" white! But I knew a lot of Republicans live there! It's so depressing. Why can't we all just agree to disagree and get along! I'm glad we can converse on this site!
You're right Cindy. But the majority of people in San Clemente were either white or Mexican. The majority of the troublemaker antivaxer/antimaskers who took over our beaches & did mask burnings/baptisms there were pretty much entirely white & quite privileged. They invaded our grocery stores & screamed at us on the beach trail if we were masked. We moved away after losing long time friends to the trump cult. It was disgusting to behold & don't miss it at all...except for the weather!!!
Nurjamila, you're educating me on something I had no idea of! I'm sorry you had to experience that and to move away from your friends 😔.
If you ever come back this way, come visit me in my little town! I think you'd enjoy the diversity! There's only one MAGA sign now and that's on the way out of town ☺️
I was not raised to be a racist and can not fathom that in 2024, this is even needed to be spoken about. We see some have the confederate flag on their homes, some on their vehicles, despicable. Nikki Haley knows better but seems to adapt her talking points to her audience.
Perhaps Ms. Haley has been exposed to the lesson but until I see evidence of her taking it to heart, I can't say she has been 'taught' the lesson. Maybe I don't have all the news about her today, in fairness.
Adam, I am so happy that U wrote this article. Excellent, accurate information. I, & many other black folks, have known about this. Too many other Americans are woefully ignorant of these facts. I was USAF 1968-1972. Driving through Fayetteville in military, 1969, HUGE billboard at entrance of town said "Support Knights of the KKK. Fight Communism & Integration". Later, 1971, while at Da Nang AFB Vietnam, the barracks beside mine had a room in it with a full size confederate battle flag covering the window. Just the tip of the iceberg regarding things I've seen & experienced. Point is, I know there are many great Americans out there. They just need to educate themselves more about the true cause of the civil war, & the GOP "Southern strategy". The GOP needs to stop with the dog whistles. That can fool /distract some Americans, but not Americans like me. Proud veteran. Dad proud WW2 veteran. Will never stop fighting to make America better. Again, thanks for the great article, & for your leadership!
I am so sorry for your negative experiences😟. Thank you for your service 🇺🇸! In this year of 2024, may we all live in peace and harmony!!🙏
Thank U. The positive outcome of those experiences are, they just made me stronger, tougher, & more empathetic! lol
Yes. I can see it in your smile 😁! Your positivism indicates a true hero to me! Thanks for replying!
Totally agree with you. I live in the South, and confederate flags are common, as is support for old confederate monuments. Of interest, after the war Robert E Lee specifically did not want any monuments to the confederacy. His concern was that they would "keep open the wounds of war."
Interesting comment about Robert E Lee. He was certainly right! Symbols, including flags are obviously powerful! Look at the swaztika!
Obviously there were those who did want to keep those open wounds.
Nikki Haley is the poster child for attempting to say whatever she thinks her audience wants to hear. The impact of the Civil War continues abetted by sneaking, slimy political types and their followers.
For Americans to claim the Confederate flag as “heritage” is like a German flying a Nazi flag in honor of theirs. That an entire political party is willing to genuflect before a symbol of racism, hatred, and inequality, speaks volumes about precisely who and what they are. My fervent dream is that out of this mess of racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and misogyny, true conservatives might coalesce to form a Party of actual fiscal responsibility (not just virtue-signaling via our national budget) and of social moderation. It is too late for the likes of the current crop of Republicans, but I think that there are Americans who would gravitate in that direction. For now, to avoid elevating the mess, vote blue.
I totally agree with you!You would think that people would learn from the past and want to make things better!!!!
Thanks for the historical context. Lee Atwater, a South Carolina native, was proud of his Machiavellian tactics. He rose to national prominence quickly. Then he developed an inoperable brain tumor and died at age 40. His smear tactics were used against DNC Chair Ron Brown, a black strategist for the Democratic Party. While there is dispute about whether Atwater was repentant about his tactics, it is worth noting that he did apologize to Ron Brown, who visited Atwater frequently as his health declined. To me, Brown's forgiveness and compassion were a sign of humanity overcoming hatefulness.
I was born in SC and grew up in NC and we were never taught about slavery and the civil war. All I knew was Northerner's were Yankees and we did not like them. The confederate flag was just a way of showing the world you were a southerner. My parents were racists, you know the old style kind - didn't talk about it openly but the attitude and language would slip.
I have no idea how I escaped that whole mindset, but I did get the hell out of dodge when I was 27 and moved to CA.
Now Haley has said she would pardon Trump if elected. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?
I grew up in a small town (50,000) in northern Indiana, not rural but suburban. At aged 27, the company I worked for transferred me to a new branch in Florida( this was 1978). What a difference in how blacks were treated than what I experienced in my upbringing. I distinctly remember shortly after arriving in FL saying “thank you” and smiled to a cashier at the grocery store who happened to be black. She looked back at me with such a shocked look then shyly smiled back. The common curtesy we showed in the north definitely did not translate to the south. For sure there were discriminatory actions of prejudice existing in the north. But there was such a subversive undercurrent of racism in the south that I was taken aback. For southerners to say “it’s part of our heritage “ (who would want reminders of the huge numbers of deaths, both North and South in the Civil War and continue to glorify that for the next generations?) would be like Germany keeping the Nazi salute and the swastika symbol displayed everywhere because it’s a part of “their heritage”. Yes, remember so as to not repeat history, but erect statues and monuments, no.
Yes, you are exactly right, Adam! Living in Tennessee and Georgia growing up that has always been the reason (excuse) for keeping the old symbols of the South around…heritage! I often wonder if the same people who claim that would want to hang onto a noose if their grandfather had been hanged for murder (for instance) since that was part of their “heritage” Symbols of hatred, division, and immorality need to be in museums and discussed as a part of history so as to never be repeated but not in front of courthouses, townsquares, or other places that exclude anyone from a reminder that they have a heritage in America of democracy and equal treatment under the law. God help us in this pursuit and that we go forward in that pursuit not back!
Nikki Haley gives the impression that she is a reasonable, honorable, respectful person. However she endorsed Little Donnie and avoids telling the truth about him now. She tries to thread the needle and avoid pissing off the "good people on both sides." Coddling MAGAs--Trump's marks--is the same as being one of them. (As Charlie Munger once observed, "When you mix raisins with turds, they are all turds.") Her lack of courage to call them out, and stand up for the truth about Little Donnie's Big Con, is far worse than this racist dogwhistle mini scandal. The big issue is that she is on the side of the sleezeballs who shit in the Capitol building.
Adam good message. I cannot believe how much hate exists in so many of my fellow Americans.
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." THIS DOES NOT SAY LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL WHITE PEOPLE ONLY!!
Excellent piece. I recall in the past Nikki Haley's pandering to the base on race / Confederate flag - a pattern here. (Although I give her credit for taking the Confederate flag off of the state capitol as governor). But also troubling is her promise to pardon Trump if she wins and he is convicted. That's more pandering to the base, plus a low view of the 'rule of law.' Adam, would love for you to write about this kind of Republican double-speak while claiming to be the party of 'law & order.'
I naively thought my area of Southern California was a safe place for all to live. Then my black friend confided in me the fear she felt driving twice daily through a small enclave to my little city. Several houses displayed confederate flags making her SO afraid. My very white self had never given it a thought.The fear she felt broke my heart. Now, when I drive through that enclave, I see MAGA signs and flags. To me, that message is the same of hate and ignorance. I know this is wrong but I want to tear them down!
I have been forgiven for my ignorance and I will give a pass to someone else, ONCE! Nikki Haley knows better and as written, follows the same pattern of appealing to her audience. I don't want that in a president!
Thanks, Adam for educating us on this sensitive topic.
Orange County CA is one of the most racist places I've ever lived & I lived in Alabama as a kid. Too many white John Birchers there, home of Jan 6 insurrectionists.
Oh wow! I didn't realize it was "that" white! But I knew a lot of Republicans live there! It's so depressing. Why can't we all just agree to disagree and get along! I'm glad we can converse on this site!
You're right Cindy. But the majority of people in San Clemente were either white or Mexican. The majority of the troublemaker antivaxer/antimaskers who took over our beaches & did mask burnings/baptisms there were pretty much entirely white & quite privileged. They invaded our grocery stores & screamed at us on the beach trail if we were masked. We moved away after losing long time friends to the trump cult. It was disgusting to behold & don't miss it at all...except for the weather!!!
Nurjamila, you're educating me on something I had no idea of! I'm sorry you had to experience that and to move away from your friends 😔.
If you ever come back this way, come visit me in my little town! I think you'd enjoy the diversity! There's only one MAGA sign now and that's on the way out of town ☺️
I was not raised to be a racist and can not fathom that in 2024, this is even needed to be spoken about. We see some have the confederate flag on their homes, some on their vehicles, despicable. Nikki Haley knows better but seems to adapt her talking points to her audience.
Perhaps Ms. Haley has been exposed to the lesson but until I see evidence of her taking it to heart, I can't say she has been 'taught' the lesson. Maybe I don't have all the news about her today, in fairness.