It was the summer of 1986.  My family was the first black family to live on this street, in this "neck of the woods", since God knows when. One of the white families who neighbored us, came by and introduced themselves. They seemed friendly and I quickly made friends with their daughters. I even remember the fresh baked cookies they brought which my mother refused to let me eat. She did not trust strangers bearing gifts. Then one fine day someone left a particularly exciting gift... lit papers left flaming in the summer breeze alongside the ditch in front our house. 

Fast forward twenty-some odd years; this area (including the county as a whole) is more diverse. You'd think they'd be used to use by now. Yet in still, every now and again someone with ill intent, drives pass and deliberately throws their fast food wrappers/trash into my parent's lawn. A solemn reminder that "you're kind ain't welcome 'round here." Last month, during the night someone bashed in their new mailbox. That hadn't happened in years... but it too was nothing new. Racism is nothing new. In fact, it's and issue all Americans inevitably experience in their lifetime. It's better than it used to be but still lurks like a cancer, seeking anywhere it can infect society -- a constant reminder that some cannot stand to see others prospering. In their eyes you are less than human and hence do not deserve "certain inalienable rights".  

However, nothing could be further from the truth.  As far as my parents are concerned, they are good, hardworking people who have EARNED everything they own, don't judge a man by his roots but his deeds, and sought a wholesome community to prosper, raise, and educate their children within. To add insult to injury, my father is a disabled American veteran who fought for this country, survived the 60's, and paid his dues ten times over. Yet, small minded, narcissistic, sociopaths disrespect him simply because he was born black. He is a man with pride and stands tall. Each time he's repairs another vandalized mailbox he's says, "they'll never change."  

I understand his resolve, and it's times like these I reflect and wonder where society is headed. Is he right? Maybe I'm naive, but I wholeheartedly believe race relations will continue to get better in this country and abroad in spite a few neanderthals. Prejudices of any sort will never be eradicated but milestones have been made as mankind evolves.  Meanwhile, its the former that breaks and tests the heart as I seek reasons not to despise those who hate. God help. Some day race will not nearly matter as much as the content of one's character.  I once wrote a sentiment that I now return to, "many desire a life free of pain and persecution; yet if we are to truly live, it is to do so in spite of it."  In spite of these isolated incidences, they have no regrets as life here has been pleasant overall.  

WOULD YOU CONSIDER A CONFEDERATE HISTORY MONTH RACIST?

Virginia is popular for its fundamental role in the late Revolutionary and Civil War. Tourists would be hard pressed not to find poignant war memorabilia, monuments, and museums dedicated to the fact; including the legendary confederate battle flag – a historical reminder of the state’s political posture during the Civil War. Confederate symbolisms are scattered about the Virginia countryside to a mural of confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on its capitol city’s canal wall. Even so, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has taken the alleged sentiments of southern pride a step further by designating April “Confederate History Month”. This statewide commemoration of the confederacy seems to be the straw breaking the back of racial tolerance as it is viewed more so appalling than commendable; citing marked disapproval, controversy and mass media scrutiny into McDonnell’s own racial disposition in lieu of this recent act and other gubernatorial policies.

In short, the Civil War split the northern and southern states of the union and according to Academy Award nominated filmmaker Ken Burns (who took six years out of his life to document the Civil War in its entirety), “it was the most horrible, necessary, intimate, acrimonious, mean-spirited, and heroic conflict the nation has ever known (Burns).” Notably, confederate soldiers touted their battle flag during opposition against the North to maintain the plantation economy and ideals of the south – which distinctly involved the practice of slavery by southern sharecroppers and aristocracy. It is this distinction that colors the dispute between those who think the flag merely symbolizes southern pride and/or honor for the fallen confederate soldiers, and the latter who think it’s a flagrant representation of racial prejudice. So, who if anyone is the April fool? “In his defense, McDonnell said "there were any number of aspects to that conflict between the states. Obviously, it involved slavery. It involved other issues. But I focused on the ones I thought were most significant for Virginia. I felt just as I've issued dozens and dozens of other commemorations, that it was something that was worthy of doing so people can at least study and understand that period of Virginia history and how it impacts us today (Yvette Carnell, SodaHead.com)." Others do not accept his ideology and see the action as a theoretical slap in the face to African-Americans. “It's offensive to celebrate slavery: Confederate History Month is a "glorification of slavery, racism, and treason," says Frances Martel in Mediaite. And it's hugely offensive, even if, as McDonnell claims, it's "just for the money" tourism will bring to the state. No one is arguing that the Confederacy should be "erased from memory," or school history lessons, but dedicating an entire month to it "implies a level of admiration (qtd. in The Week)."

Columnist Jason Pressburg expresses the patriot perspective, stating in his article dubbed Historic Meaning of the Confederate Flag still Wrong, “Ask anyone who has this symbol [confederate flag], and they'll most likely tell you it has something to do with "southern pride." But if you're a Northerner like me, you might become uneasy by this. No matter where you grew up, you will very likely receive an extremely biased education, especially regarding the Civil War. The New York public school district that I was taught in left me with the impression that it was a battle between the North, the good guys, and the South, the bad guys. The Northerners were abolitionists, fighting from the good of their hearts to end slavery. The Southerners were the cruel masters of the slaves, fighting to keep their wicked slavery ideals. I also came to college thinking the Confederate flag was and is an evil symbol of hate. (Obviously, I was in for a rude awakening when I came to Elon.) But to the Southerners I've met that identify with it, they think of the flag as a symbol of the joys and values of being Southern. Many of these qualities, like common courtesy, are some of the things that are so refreshing about the South compared to New York.” Meanwhile, moderates argue that McDonnell was wrong for not initially omitting mention of slavery and its influence in the matter when integrating Confederate History Month however it would be biased not to honor soldiers who fought in died in the war whether or not they are considered as columnist Rick Moran put it, “on the wrong side of history (qtd. in The Week)” or not. Well, one thing is certain; Gov. McDonnell is resolute in his decision but will have a lot of explaining to do in the coming weeks as temperaments are tested on the issue.