A Southern Youth Stands Up for her Heritage
From dixiegeneral.com .
OUR SOUTHERN YOUTH
Do young people ALL watch too much bad television and listen to too much bad music? The answer is a resolute NO! Many KNOW their history and are PROUD of their heritage..
When the defeated say "the winners write the history" they should learn from a 15 year old Southern lady named Rachael Horton. Some time ago she, as a high school sophomore, attended a symposium for high school journalism students held at an Alabama college. Most of the attendees were seniors and juniors. The speakers were prominent professors and media types.
An editorial writer for a Birmingham newspaper had just spoken and in the question and answer session, he was asked: "What is the most controversial editorial you wrote?" "That’s easy," he replied, "The question of whether or not the Confederate flag should be removed from the Capitol grounds at Montgomery." "And what was your position?" came the question. "Of course I wanted the flag taken down because it is a symbol of hatred."
Young Rachael stood up and was recognized. For twenty minutes she debated the speaker and cited facts and figures to dispute his position. He finally ended the debate by telling Rachael she was wrong in her position. This brave young Southern lady responded: "Sir, ignorance is a tragic thing, but ignorance in your position is a sin!"
Must we accept falsehoods because our ancestors did not win? Are we to be quiet in order to "not be divisive?" Losers will say yes, but WINNERS will say NO! Rachael said no. Rachael would say no again. Her high school is under attack because they fly the Confederate Flag and use the name "Rebels." Rachael recently responded in the newspaper to the call to remove the Southern symbols. You will find this an excellent use of the English language:
"What do we try to represent? Courage, freedom and determination to name a few ideals. These three virtues are held dear by Southerners of the past and the present, which is why Vestavia High School is fortunate to have chosen the Rebels and the Confederate Battle Flag to represent our school.
Contrary to popular belief, the Confederate Army was made up mostly of simple, black and white, non slave owning farmers—approximately 90 to 97% of the Confederacy, if you want the figures. Why would these common men leave their families and risk their lives for a cause unrelated to them? All these men wanted was to claim their lawful right to secede and gain the freedom to create a country of their own. With tremendous courage these men stood up for what they knew was right. Starving and outnumbered, they fought, bled, and died for their beliefs with steadfast determination and valor—all under the Confederate Battle Flag.
These very same qualities were displayed by the patriots of America’s past that we hold so dear. If a symbol of the desire for freedom is such an offense, by all means, take down the American Stars and Stripes, or call yourself a hypocrite, for truly the two are one and the same.The main culprit behind the unfavorable reputation of the South is its own people—Southerners who deny their past, and hate groups who misuse the flag through their false representation of the Flag.
People have been taught by schools and society to be ashamed of their connections to Southern history. They have been taught that the War Between the States was fought for slavery, so they believe the Battle Flag must represent this awful institution that was indeed a part of the entire country.
Until all Southerners can be proud of their noble heritage, ignorant hostility because of badly incorrect misconceptions will, sadly, continue. Everyone, including Southerners, must realize that the Confederate Flag symbolizes some of the most sacred values Americans live by—not hate and prejudice.
Courage, determination, and pride is exhibited by the Flag Vestavia waves, and it is truly a privilege to be represented by the honorable title and noble symbol of the Southern heritage.
Rachael Horton
Birmingham, Alabama
Original Link: http://www.dixiegeneral.com/Rachael.htm
