Confederate. An uncomfortable question.

[@tomjacka7401]

my father always told me treat everyone how you would want to be treated. that's what I try to do.

[@swnews4u161]

...if only we had at the beginning of this country and had abolished slavery right then and there

[@OdeeOz]

@@swnews4u161 *flash! **_America didn't have Slavery Alone, and certainly not all Africans were slaves until 1850, when the Democrats made it legal to own people._*_ If you studied history books, and census data, you would know this,_

[@robertcherry7190]

Just think how differently the US would be if everyone behaved that way since 1619.

[@OdeeOz]

@@robertcherry7190 That's a pretty feckless thing to say, IMO. America would never have been expanded beyond the original 13 Colonies, if they thought like the losers do today. No pioneer spirit to explore, and make a better world.

[@Jeff_S...]

I've always tried to follow the Golden Rule. But many of low moral standing, simply mistake kindness for weakness and take that view to it's logical conclusion, which is exploitation. And I don't care for being taken advantage of.

[@dereklangley8582]

Watching John Schneider on you tube is better than what's on TV now

[@RalphReagan]

Indeed

[@markw.henleyjr.7189]

Legit he keeps it real doesn’t pander to these jerks

[@liveuntetheredmusepodcast4832]

I agree 100%

[@a-nannymouse6742]

It's a shame he doesn't have a working grasp of history or current reality, though. He provides the laziest of right-wing hot takes that can be debunked with 1-2 minutes on any search engine.

[@liveuntetheredmusepodcast4832]

@@a-nannymouse6742 You must be using a left wing search engine! lmao ...Russian Collusion... "Nuff said.

[@pamelajewell7616]

That was powerful. I liked how John kept it on a level of self help and did not try to influence the conversation. Totally awesome! Nice to have this like old times rather than what's going on in the media these days.

[@kelleymcbride4633]

I grew up in south Texas in the 70's and I will never forget the first time I saw The Dukes of Hazzard I simply couldn't believe it was real it was so good. Now these many decades later I'm watching these videos from an actor from New York and realizing you are still a man worth my attention. Thank you for the fun show in my youth and thank you even more for being a decent honorable human being!

[@wb2530]

I remember when I was a teenager around 1990 going to a Civil War reenactment in Florida, among the historical displays and encampment was a large display set up with a couple of black gentlemen dressed in Confederate uniforms, flying Confederate flags, with pictures, documents and artifacts of their ancestors who fought for the Confederacy. I remember being very intrigued by their display because you never heard about that in school. I enjoy American history and the way I see slavery used for the war cause a lot like LBJ used the Gulf of Tonkin for Vietnam, or Bush used weapons of mass destruction for Iraq. They fail to point out that most people fighting in the Confederacy didn't own slaves, probably never interacted with that. Truth in History is being over looked. I could type for an hour on this. As for me and my friend (who's black) we agree there's some bad people with an agenda out there pushing fear and hate dividing up a great country. Wish everyone would just turn off the news that's pushing it and just love and help your neighbors.

[@frankpaya690]

It was also Lyndon Johnson that's started America down this road of not being able to call something bad, bad. he took any shame away from lifestyles, that brought about poverty, by trying to bring "dignity" to poverty. It was Johnson who gave us this huge welfare Nation, that's bankrolled by average Americans, that's now even outside US borders, thanks to the NeverEnding whoring for votes, of the democratic party, with the Republican copycats now.

[@crabbinmoose8583]

W B, that's how I see it too! There are definitely some bad people playing chess today, but God wins every time.....stay tuned to Jesus! I most certainly agree that if people knew their neighbors, our nation would be alot stronger and caring! Thanks for the righteous perspective you've fostered here with actual facts and real clarity to convey what you learned so that others may learn.

[@juliaweber5026]

I agree with you we need to come together as Americans unified together

[@ljag1743]

Wisdom WB

[@areyousureyouenteredyourna85]

Exactly, be cool to your neighbors, and the world becomes a better, happier place. Heck, just yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my neighbor out front had dug a fire pit for the whole building to enjoy!

[@judithstuck9979]

I always had the biggest crush on you as a child. Your posters wallpapered my room. I see now that I had very good taste and I think you are an intelligent and excellent person.

[@NDCntrygrl]

I had a crush on both him and Tom Wopat. 😊 I just couldn't decide which one was cuter. Lol

[@72Dexter72Manley72]

Black Man here.. As I thought about the question you asked, I could only think of one thing. All history should be shown and taught, good and bad. The Civil war battle was a bad thing for the States. Brother against brother. When statues and monuments are being removed history is lost.

[@bartscanland9415]

Full Body Joe, what does the black child take away from statues that depict noble and gallant appearing white men that considered that child subhuman. I'm at a loss as to understand how that black child is supposed learn anything positive from that statue, historically of course.

[@SCLARK2112]

You are a very WISE man...it's all HISTORY and no amount of destruction can change any of it.

[@scarletpimpernel230]

That's exactly right.

[@scarletpimpernel230]

@Bart: The black child learns how different that society was before. If you make the statue disappear, you remove an impetus to understand everything about the South and how it was, and about how much it has changed for the better.

[@williamflowers8138]

You can't change history. You either learn from it or you are bound to repeat it

[@318Magnum]

This channel is just as good as watching "The Dukes" I feel that John understands America and knows why our country is great. We have a complicated history and you need to understand our government and how it works. Nice to see someone from Hollywood with a free mind.

[@joycebrannen1943]

Lot of them got out of dodge!

[@joycebrannen1943]

Lot of them got out of dodge!

[@dbry4756]

Except that Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrain (sp?) does not appear on this channel. :-(

[@fubisroc9673]

@@dbry4756 Uhhh...probably for the same reason he's not chattin' it up with Uncle Jesse or Boss Hogg. They're all dead, dude.

[@CashCorp2008]

Great question. I am a black man living in America. I have studied this subject and have what i think a pretty good understanding. Thank you for posting this question. If people will take your suggestion I think it will be an eye opener for all of us and possible a healing opportunity. God Bless!

[@karstenagler3721]

I think reading and researching are definitely the answer. If you read the articles of succession, especially by Mississippi, where they state that they are separating because northern states were trying to take away their slaves, the cause of the civil war becomes crystal clear.

[@richmondvirginia4297]

@@karstenagler3721 but the fighting class didn't own slaves, they were not going to fight for something they don't have. There are three versions of "why are we fighting" that all come together for the war.

[@karstenagler3721]

@@StevenE1972 Ooooo, zinger, but neither of those change why the war started.

[@karstenagler3721]

@@richmondvirginia4297 so, you say that Mississippi lied in their official statements? When they separated themselves from the Union over slaves that they were in error?

[@thomasridley8675]

@@StevenE1972 History does say that slavery and the restrictions placed on expansion were the main cause. The south wasn't about to have two America's. They only wanted one system, theirs. You should go ck out 'Checkmate Lincolnists'. They do a great job on both sides.

[@DoomsdaysKrypt13]

Sorry I grew up Dukes of Hazzard fan. Not a racist bone in my body. Never saw show and thought about race. If Dukes of Hazzard is now offensive then I give up on humanity and common sense.

[@redtaylor4936]

This was one of daddy's favorite shows when i was a little girl.I wanted to be Daisy lol

[@aslanmonn86]

Anybody will do anything to whine and exaggerate.

[@mrjones7537]

What isn't offensive these days? PC culture has ruined people's minds

[@fellowshipofthemystery6154]

Double ditto!

[@kelaarin]

But that's the point: YOU look at the Confederate flag, and you don't see racism. THEY look at it, and they see racism. Which means they symbol is NOT the problem - it's their perspective that's the problem. Same with the swastika; for thousands of years it was a religious symbol of peace. For two decades in the 20th century, it was a good luck symbol for pilots. Then one evil man adopted it as his symbol, and now people look at it and ONLY see hate. The problem is that they REFUSE to allow the meaning of the symbol to change, and they refuse to allow ANYONE to hold a different perspective or viewpoint than theirs.

[@shawnw5785]

I'm black and as a 70s kid I loved the show and didn't even know about the Confederate flag. I later learned as I got older. Look I get it whites say that the Confederate flag is part of their heritage and their family fought in the civil war, but here is where I think my white friends miss the point. The Confederate flag for blacks is like the swastika for Jews. We wouldn't dare promote the swastika like we do the Confederate flag because Jewish people suffered tremendously just as blacks did. It's a reminder of the suffering. There is definitely a place for the Confederate flag and I agree it is our history but dark history and the place is museums etc. It should not be flipidly flown by whoever wants to. It's place is in history. Even Robert e Lee didn't want to be buried with that flag and he fought for it. So when a white person wants to say they have a right because it's heritage remember there are Germans that have heritage to the swastika but there is no way in hell they can fly that flag. People would be appalled and scream bloody murder. I don't understand why the same respect isn't given to blacks and the negative connotation the flag brings. Do I think the dukes of Hazzard was racist hell no...I love the show but looking back that flag is a hurtful memory. Imagine a car named the general Hitler with a big swastika on it...I don't think Hollywood would have done the show. But for the 80s dukes of Hazzard gets a pass. Yes it's ok to show the swastika from a histocal standpoint in shows and movies and it's also ok to show the Confederate flag in shows and movies from the historical standpoint but to just have them out everywhere is pure disrespect.

[@tinaroberts5858]

I get it, well stated. I don't quite know how to say this except that I am so sorry for what the black community is going through and has went through for so many years, decades. I wasn't raised that way, I was raised by a single, abused white mom, she always told us to be respectful to Everyone Unless they weren't respectful to us. I probably never went through or never will go through what anyone from the black community has, I hope and pray time will change people's perspective, we are all human, no one should ever be made to feel less of a person because of the color of their skin. Peace be with us. All Gods children.

[@Bears11422]

I agree. With you. But I also want to say this. What is the Confederate a flag? A flag... That's just what it is. Next q is. What does that flag repersent TODAY? You and I both know that answer to that. But! Lets say the representation of the flag wasn't used by neo nazi, Skin Heads and KKK and instead used for unity. I'm sure the flag would be more widely accepted. And who knows? The American flag might be the flag less accepted by people. P.s. As a black person who hung out with neo nazu and skin heads. Many or misinformed and heavily dislike the stereotypes of other cultures. But they are actually cool people.

[@RonanTetsu]

@midgetydeath Your inherent argument is flawed.

[@RonanTetsu]

@@Bears11422 That's a good thought - if the Confederate flag didn't represent hate. Unfortunately no one does that.. They want to claim the confederacy didn't fight over slavery but something else. They claim rye Confederacy was all about civil rights for non white males. The Confederate flag is owned by Kkk and neo nazi trash, so its status as a hate symbol will always remain

[@Bears11422]

midgetydeath you should read my comment. And you can't say wich had it worst. That's a horrible argument based on opinion. I could say jews still had there land and many were able to get there wealth back. Africans slaves had every taken from them and wasn't able to get anything back. But then you could say the same for many Jews. See. This goes no where. He wasn't actually saying anything about the south being evil of sorts. He was speaking on what the flag repersent in his eyes heavily based on his society teachings.

[@marlonscipio6020]

I like John Schneider, he's a cool dude

[@jamesdomus]

Hey Mr. Schneider, grew up on the Duke boys. Great question. I'm sure many are uncomfortable with it. I'm not. I can sympathize with those who might be uncomfortable with the question, but I'm very much not. When I was in college (never graduated because it just wasn't for me) I often tutored my fellow classmates in American Government & History. I explained what really happened (as I'd learned it) and what they WANTED as an answer. Often very different. "States Rights" are dismissed as 'racist' by the liberals of today. "Of course it couldn't possibly have been about that," they say. Well, slavery WAS in fact one of those 'rights' wealthy white plantation owners believe in, so yes, slavery was one of the pivotal issues. You only have to read the declarations of secession & the Confederate Constitution and count how many times 'slavery' was listed. That's undeniable. However, people of today like to say that slavery was the ONLY issue. I take great offense at that. If slavery was the ONLY issue, then why did the 'Corwin Amendment' not bring the Southern states back into the United States? It was a proposed Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would have permanently enshrined slavery in the Constitution. There are many articles on the subject. Begun in January 1861, many northern states were already in the process of ratifying it, so it would certainly have passed. So why didn't the 13th Amendment that never was not satisfy the Confederacy? Now, we can go back to 1828. The Tariff of Abominations. It was really a series of tariffs, not just one. But they worked together to greatly increase the tariffs on imported goods. The more industrial North didn't have as much need for imported goods as the South. Southerners believed that it was an unequal tax against them. South Carolina threatened to secede - in 1828! President Andrew Jackson threatened to raise an army and INVADE! Cooler heads prevailed and reduced the tariffs. Flash forward to 1860. The Morrill Tariff was making its way through Congress. It raised tariffs on imported goods back to Tariff of Abominations levels. Abraham Lincoln was supportive of the measure during his presidential campaign. Lincoln never appeared on ballots in the Deep South. Isn't it at least POSSIBLE that another part of the reason for secession was the feeling in the South that the federal government had abandoned it? That isn't without precedent, either. As the War of 1812 began, many in the NORTHEAST, began to feel as though the wealthy South was gaining an unequal control over the federal government and that the war was being sought and persecuted by and for the advancement of the South alone. There was talk in the NE about secession. The Hartford Convention of 1814 was meant to discuss the option of secession. It was never taken seriously, but was presented as an option and news of the Convention later helped destroy the Federalist Party. There's my truth. At least in part. All of those points are easily researched, although if you look at 5 different articles on the Morrill Tariff you'll get 5 completely different views from those who say it wasn't so bad as the Tariff of Abominations and is only used by 'racists' to give credence to the idea that there were more issues other than slavery. To me, once you abandon logical discussion and delve into name calling, you've already conceded the point to the opposition, but that's just my opinion. But all of what I've said you should at least be able to find something corroborating what I've laid out here in some way or another. So, let the haters (or people accusing me of being a 'hater' despite the fact they know nothing about me) begin. EDIT: Just as an addendum to what's going on today. We (human beings, I mean), are VERY good at forgetting history and repeating it, even when we're trying to remember it. With this latest 'craze' to erase monuments and history, well, I can't imagine a quicker/easier way to get back to the cycle of repeating history, than to PURPOSELY erase it.

[@will2003michael2003]

Well said

[@Robert_A_Keyboards4948]

Of course, Slavery was not the only reason for the Civil War. However, Slavery was a terrible, horrible thing and so it was indeed a good thing to get rid of it.

[@rodneyskinner2526]

@@Robert_A_Keyboards4948 OK I have a simple question we can agree that owning a human being isn't proper. Anyhow question what are you personally doing to fight the slavery that is still going on today? Next point is all that has happened is we just changed who the master is. We are all still slaves

[@joshuacalkins]

@@Robert_A_Keyboards4948 Your point is important, and in no way at odds with any of this discussion, so it’s a shame that people are libel to pretend that it is. Your words should go without saying, but perhaps they need to be said to make sure nobody has the wrong idea. That slavery is an indefensible horror that humans have perpetrated should not be used as a reason to avoid education, questioning and learning.

[@Halliday7895]

you didn't address why the flag came back from obscurity around the 1950s and 1960s....WE KNOW WHY - its a retaliation to the civil rights movement going mainstream and the far right feeling threatened by losing the old ways thinking and treating fellow man. they pushed the flag as a NEW symbol of far right heritage. that's the issue - NOT the history of the war...because this flag was dormant for a long while in the population psyche.... until black people "started getting uppity" again...propaganda is EVERYWHERE. im not paranoid.

[@starrschwering1787]

A friend of mine posted awhile back that we are entitled to our own opinions but not our own facts...great advice to research and discover the actual facts

[@jasonpdsi]

@Leo Peridot I hear that. But sometimes the journey is more rewarding than reaching the destination. I like the fact that Schneider kept his opinion to himself on this one and encourages us to research for ourselves.

[@starrschwering1787]

@Leo Peridot the point of the statement is for people to understand that thinking something doesn't make it fact. I agree that a lot of people twist the facts to their favor and that the actual facts are hard to know. We are lied to so much these days. I just appreciate john Schneider's attitude towards the issue

[@commonsensepatriot9450]

I'm going to borrow that statement! Thanks!

[@bendover164]

Read the 'Cornerstone Speech'.

[@greyone40]

I believe that is the phrase most famously attributed to Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

[@hatboxghost735]

My grandparents had to run from the Soviets with my father and two aunts in tow. I should have an older uncle, he was killed in my grandmother’s arms by a soviet Russian. My grandfather kissed the ground when they arrived in America. We still hold our traditions from our past, the horrific atrocities are remembered so they can’t be repeated. You can understand my hatred for Russia attacking the Ukraine, but I can understand why people fought for the soviets, especially during, and right after World War II. This goes with the south, not everyone was rich, a slave owner, nor a racist. Some just saw a different point of view, they had the right to their views and choices. It has molded our country, looking into this further. God bless

[@hatboxghost735]

Lindsay Michaels Precisely my aunt tells a story about my grandfather working a third job he never told them about she went to the movies with her friends, and saw him in the ticket booth. They ended up buying the boarding house they were in, turned it into apartments, sold the building and helped our family get a leg up. My brother in law is from Mexico, his parents had a ranch in Aguascalientes, never took a handout, worked for everything they have. Thank you for sharing, we all come from different backgrounds, yet we some how all get labeled and bundled in to two groups. An unreal time.

[@mr.skeptical3071]

Would love to hear their story

[@hatboxghost735]

Seth Miller I am, a literal massacre of 50 million +

[@hatboxghost735]

DesertRat45 you can’t burst my bubble, were you born in 1892? My grandfather was, this was immediately following WWII and was the slaughter of 50 million East Germany and beyond

[@Youtubeforcedmetochangemyname]

@DesertRat45 I think the give away that it wasn't 2014 they are talking about are the words Soviet Russia

[@stevecampbell9670]

This sounds much like the oft dispensed wisdom of Uncle Jesse.

[@alanclark7807]

Or Jonathan Kent!

[@ryandezotelle2408]

There was 250,000 free black men in the south when the war started. They didn't have the same social status as white people but they were free, they WERE NOT SLAVES! But 10% of those black men owned slaves. The largest plantation in Charleston South Carolina when the war started was owned by a FREE black man WHO HIMSELF OWNED 200 slaves. What the confederate flag represented has been rather misinterpreted an misunderstood, its taken on a meaning that it didn't originally have. There were SEVERAL black soldiers fighting for the south armed, the one difference is they confederates (the south) treated there black soldiers better then we did (the north). They almost mutiny (open rebellion against the proper authorities, especially by soldiers or sailors against their officers) General Grant had to threaten to hang a entire regime because they refused to fight next to a black regime. Where in the confederacy there black soldiers got the same food, they fought side by side, they got the same weapons. They didn't have the same problems we had in our north army! The confederate flag that we are all most familiar with was known as the southern cross or Saint Andrews cross was actually a flag of the military it was never a flag of confederate state government. This flag was reserved for the military forces, the army, the navy etc.. again it wasn't a UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FLAG! Therefore it never flying over a slave ship it wasn't a representative of the confederate government. It has been misinterpreted over the 150 years of the Civil War that has gone by. OTHER GROUPS have used it in way it SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN USED! Now it's been conceived as racism an slavery but that flag never stood as a representation for the confederate government or any kind of slave power it's self. Now if the war had gone the other way an we the north had lost it would still be the same sorta thing going on. The hatred against the confederate flags is due to basically ignorance to what they really stood for. Now there is symbols of meaning to the flag let me explain that to you as well. The RED on the flag represents the blood of Christ. The WHITE border represents the protection of God. The BLUE "X" represents the Christian cross of Saint Andrews, the first disciple of Christ Jesus an patron saint of Scotland. The 13 stars represent the 13 southern states of secession. Thus, the message of the Confederate battle flag is "Through the blood of Christ, with the protection of God, We the 13 states, are united in our Christian fight for liberty" The star in the center is the most significant because it represents the state of Maryland an the significant being that when it came time for Maryland to vote President Lincoln had the governor an the Maryland legislature locked up so they couldn't vote. Alot of people today don't realize that Maryland is a southern state. This is a war in American history regardless to what happen its all intertwined in to heritage and history. Our ancestors gave there lifes on BOTH sides for us let there be peace in what they did leave the history alone for our future kids an generations to come. You all just spitting at the mouth over some shit you know nothing about, but you'll call anyone out for being a racist but literally have no facts or any truth to what you are saying. Just what I have found on things. Hope this is accurate enough an gives some insight on things. Thank you for the videos an the time for fans of you.

[@ole-mariusbergesen7818]

There were no black confederates.

[@amyb5625]

@@ole-mariusbergesen7818 Oh really? www.encyclopediavirginia.org/black_confederates

[@542falcon]

Thanks this is good information.

[@matthewthompson2668]

@David Tucker There were 2 territories, that were not yet given statehood, that is the other 2 stars.

[@utterlynice1]

Ryan Dezotelle thank you so much for sharing this powerful & informative information of the history of the men on both sides who served. WOW!! I had no idea what the colors meant on the Confederate flag, although i should have known they stood for something other than just being there for no reason just as the Christian flags colors & symbol stand for certain things. What a rich, moving, powerful & great history our nation & the flag has! We should be proud, not hating & fighting each other. Thank you again for sharing this with us!!!

[@robr4596]

I believe that you cannot judge a person by the color of skin, but by integrity.

[@duncanshaw1256]

Agreed. I find it sad how two faced history actually is.

[@paulcoy9060]

True. All Confederate traitors lack integrity, honor, and decency.

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

@Lee Kenyon If you judge people by the color of their skin YOU ARE A RACIST. The color of someone's skin has literally nothing to do with who they are as a person outside of how it impacts others' treatment of them.

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

@Lee Kenyon This is one of the dumbest things I've read all day. The left does not hate on people for not being persons of color. The whole point is that the left is attempting to point out to white people that MOST (not all-MOST) have been born into positions of privilege just by the fact they are white due to racism and systemic oppression. IF YOU ARE NOT A RACIST WHITE PERSON AND DO YOUR BEST TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PRIVILEGE WHILE DOING YOUR BEST TO NOT BELITTLE, DEHUMANIZE, AND/OR OPPRESS OTHERS guess what? You're being a decent person. That's not to say you don't still have a responsibility to continue to acknowledge said privilege but IN GENERAL, you're not the issue. YOU, however, ARE part of the problem by being either willfully ignorant or purposefully trying to twist the issue around in order to continue perpetuating an oppressive system you see as a benefit to yourself and others who feel the same way you do.

[@leeneal6969]

In todays society we not only judge people by the colour of their skin..... BUT we are judged by what our forefathers did! How in any sane civilisation can I be held responsible and expected to pay the price (financially and custodialy) for something my great, great, great grandfather did?

[@larrywilkerson6824]

im Black male im 62 years old , I love the show in the 70s no problem its nice to see you john you look good for your age , keep going , I love the duke of Hazzard

[@superguy6892]

He's also Clark Kent's dad in Smallville. :) But yeah, dukes of hazard just looked like two goof-offs messing with a doofy sheriff and their pa being exasperated all the time. I think the country's awakening to just how bloody American history is and maybe not sure how to calibrate their reactions. People going after George Washington and Thomas Jefferson statues now too. By the time we're done, we might need a new flag, some statehood for a few territories and DC, all the statues in museums with video stories about them, and trees where the statues used to be. :) And the indoor plumbing we promised to the native americans. And quit poisoning the black people's water supplies. And some people with phds figuring out the harder stuff I don't have the brain for...

[@dennisreynolds6915]

@@superguy6892 dukes of hazzard rules

[@billytexas2784]

Man I'm a white man grew up in the 70s . Never thought one thing racist when I saw that show nothing like that ever occured to me or entered my mind. I just watched it because I liked the car chases and the comedy

[@modi827]

John you and the Dukes crew were a wholesome show for this first generation Mexican-American. I just bought a rebel flag for the second time in support of freedom and the General Lee. Holier than thou people need to acknowledge that everyone has been shit in and done some shitting on others.

[@SouthernSkeptic]

You're the most honest guy in Hollywood.

[@thistlemoon1]

Mrs. Patterson home to where? Louisiana is his home and has been for some time.

[@SouthernSkeptic]

Mrs- patterson, I don't know what you're talking about or why he should go. "In Hollywood" means a Hollywood actor. It doesn't mean he is literally in Hollywood as we speak.

[@livingintongues]

Your right.. He can stay. I admit he annoys me,

[@JombyJuice]

Wow for someone who annoys you you sure like watching & commenting on his videos.

[@livingintongues]

@@JombyJuice I am torn

[@JohnSmith-su6ow]

People need to realize life isn't politically correct

[@theveteran765]

@VIII Maus Then you must hate Camella Harris because her family were slaves owners! Check it out! 🇺🇲

[@SeansModelBuilds]

But if you're not, how do you stay employed?

[@South_Ga_mafia]

especially in the south. ( my opinion )

[@South_Ga_mafia]

@@SeansModelBuilds - yeah i understand..its a bunch of ol bullshit.

[@kennethbaker4447]

12/8/21-Life is politically correct, full of Lies, Deceit; Cheating and Rot, it's NOT Morally, Ethically and Value Correct like the 10 Commandments. Sincerely, Patricia Sue Chandler-Lindquist

[@Bayan1905]

I have been a student of the Civil War since I was in high school in the early 90's, & while slavery was the final straw, conflict had been building for nearly 30 years between the north and south. Look up what's known at the "Tariff of Abominations", otherwise known as the Tariff of 1828. Congress passed a tariff in 1828 that was designed to protect northern industry because that's where the electoral votes were. The tariff put a 38% tax on Southern goods & 45% tax on southern raw materials. South Carolina was hurt the most & it cost John Quincy Adams re-election & Andrew Jackson ended up winning & passing the Tariff of 1832 to help reduce the tax rates, it was still not enough for South Carolina who threatened to secede & in 1833 a bill was authorized to give Jackson the power to use the military against South Carolina should they secede. Both the Tariff of 1832 and 1828 were declared unconstitutional but the damage had been done, and it was the beginnings of animosity between the north and the south that simmered for the next two decades. I know Louisiana had the highest number of free blacks that enlisted in the Civil War, so yes, there were blacks who fought for the Confederacy. It differed from state to state how they raised their armies and how they were organized.

[@averagejoeamerican1853]

This is why people say knowledge is power

[@jimdent351]

As a Canadian, I know the basics about Confederacy, but wow those facts you just laid out. I've been trying to educate people but most just wont listen. I was sitting here earlier thinking to myself and wondering if there was any way I could get in contact with Mr. Trump and see if he would give a speech saying exactly what you just said. Someone needs to stop the madness. BLM has found their way into Canada and I'm sick of it. I think you, however, should write those words down again get them to your president and suggest to him about making a speech before the entire country. I'm going to copy and past your words here but I will remove the part, "I have been a student of." Maybe if people start looking into it they will realize it was nothing to do with abolishing slavery.

[@lorragibson9436]

Someone who has done research Great job for telling the truth

[@ErichH68]

Bayan1905 Great information! Thanks for the education. I didn’t know all of that! I was told that the Civil War was and wasn’t about slavery all at the same time. That Lincoln primarily wanted to keep the Union together and he would do that with or without Slavery. Slavery was actually something of a side issue. However, in the end Lincoln decided that he could do both: 1. Keep the Union Together and 2. Abolish slavery throughout the USA 🇺🇸. People AREN’T being taught all of this in school and therefore only understand the light glossy veneer and react ignorantly!

[@ErichH68]

Bayan1905 Like you said it differed by state but wasn’t freedom promised to slaves in exchange for military service that is for fighting for the Confederacy??

[@colehalford1893]

I love listening to famous people talk about anything & everything. Thank you Mr. John Schneider. “Never Give Up, Never Surrender!” -Galaxy Quest America truly is awe inspiring. Let us hope America will still be awe inspiring for many decades to come

[@flashy5150]

John, you speak with the wisdom of Uncle Jessie.

[@crosisofborg5524]

Here’s an eye opener for you. John is older now than Denver Pyle was when he started playing uncle Jesse.

[@davidhensley76]

@@crosisofborg5524 I was wondering about that this morning. Thanks for doing the research.

[@davestephens1993]

Thank you for mature reflection...

[@karlsmith2570]

@@crosisofborg5524 John is older now than what Denver Pyle was when "The Dukes Of Hazzard" was on the air??? That's really surprising

[@frankie072]

Uncle jesse really did put good values in those Duke Boys lol

[@nickbrodziak611]

I'm 67 yrs old, and grew up in new Jersey. We were taught the south started the civil war, slavery a major early issue, etc. Over the past 10 years, I've learned alot, especially the southern view. Wow, how amazing the other viewpoint is. They never teach multiple view about anything anymore. There's only one narrative. To answer the question, finally; yes thousands of blacks volunteered for the Confederate army. I had seen a gentleman who was a descendant of one. He had an organization that would hold rallies periodically. That was the start of my learning about the other viewpoint. Judge Andrew Napolitano also disagrees with the mainstream narrative. In many ways, it was "the war of northern aggression ". I'm amazed he was even allowed to state it on Fox. That was years ago, and I would guess it's been scrubbed. You are a very thoughtful man, John, and I really enjoy your work. Keep it up! PS that Daisy Duke sure was hot!!

[@kathyflorcruz552]

Napolitano is such a Rino I wouldn't trust a THING he says.

[@SillyGoose2024]

Where in NJ?

[@debrac3391]

Nick, take it from a southerner born and bred, you've been duped. Although there were a number of contentious issues, slavery was the primary reason for the American Civil War. All other issues PALE in comparison. In short, if slavery had not existed in America, there would never have been a war. Peace.

[@crazylikeafox2871]

Debra C yep the north was trying to steal the slaves from the south that’s why there was a war that’s why they are still slaves to democrats

[@pappy451]

history is written by the victor . because men fear to shine a light on their own misdeeds , they paint their opposition in poor light .

[@bookman9729]

Most important statement made. "History has a tendency to be changed".

[@Tom-hv2eu]

I would say you can change the future, but not the past history; to do so would be the changing of facts, truths and accuracy (aka: telling a lie).

[@bookman9729]

Exactly my point.

[@robertcgage]

Victors always write the History, Now who won the war? Clue: It wasn't North or South.

[@aperioculus1988]

@@Tom-hv2eu You might not be able to change history, but it can be distorted, especially when those who have witnessed it first hand die.

[@bookman9729]

Yes. #whitewashed

[@CreekerKenny715]

I've learned quite a bit from growing up in a small town, but John I gotta say you helped me learn and think about alot. I love watching your videos and sincerely appreciate your love for this country. God bless

[@Cbermeo75]

I'd never imagined when I was a little boy watching the Dukes of Hazzard, that I'd one day be listening to the philosophical, level headed talks of Bo Duke, aka John Schneider. And as one commenter said, with the wisdom of Uncle Jessie 👍

[@JohnSchneiderStudios]

Thank you. But here is one of my first lines of dialogue as Bo: “I choose this life. Not because I don’t know any better but because I believe it is better. And I’m no going to let anyone pollute the well where I drink!” One Armed Bandits. November 1978!

[@TheNutriarat]

@@JohnSchneiderStudios Amen!

[@Cbermeo75]

@@JohnSchneiderStudios, that's Bo Duke gold right there, my good sir.

[@cathyevans6194]

Hey John I know that you and Tom Wopat had the confederate flag on the roof of the General Lee but I don't think that the term racist describes the show or the actors from the show

[@inmyownlane2317]

@BoDuke Thank you from the south🇺🇸❤🇺🇸

[@chrislopez5737]

I'm not saying yay or nay ... I just wanted to say thank you for asking calmly and explaining this perspective .. Seriously extremely nice ..

[@1980bwc]

Why cant you say yay or nay? Its an easily answerable question. Saying you will not say yay or nay means one of two things. Either you are too lazy to do your own search, or you just dont want to bring the truth out into the open. The factual answer to his question by the way is "Yay"!

[@joeterp5615]

@@1980bwc No. It’s completely fine to take one’s time in formulating an opinion. We need much more of that. I am so pleasantly surprised when I hear “I don’t know” from people about an issue. Everyone thinks they have to immediately pick a side and then vilify those that disagree. The posturing gets exhausting. Questions about the civil war and race are certainly not as simple as many self-righteous people in this country want people to believe - so I think ‘I don’t know” is actually a good place to start from, as it shows a potentially open mind.

[@VikingMale]

As usual, John is showing himself to be a thoughtful, considerate, concise, literate, and wise man.

[@heru-deshet359]

One thing is certain. The internet is a poor source of historical research. Even websites for universities have a great deal of subjective material represented. If you want real answers to questions, spend time in your local library. While you're at it, look for history and social studies books at flea markets, library sales etc. I've found many gems like this.

[@melissatracer8715]

The flag is a battle flag, General Lee was even against slavery

[@ronniewatkins]

@Roger Clemons you need to do better research

[@webman1956]

@@ronniewatkins Lee fought more for the pride of his state of Virginia than he did for the beliefs of the Confederacy.

[@coppertheginger7514]

Yes general lee gave a speech before the war denounced slavery and stated it was the greatest scourge to face our nation

[@rockyracoon3233]

@@webman1956 . Lee is often compared to Erwin Rommel for that reason.

[@nobull7185]

General Lee did have slaves that were bequeathed to him. He Nd his wife hated slavery but it was illegal to set them free. Also, had he set them free they would likely be set upon by some evil Democrat and killed as runaways or forced onto another plantation. People weren't allowed to just let slaves go. He fought for the state of Virginia as his motivation and not for the whole of the south.

[@dougatdesertdemongarage7777]

Now John I think you're asking this younger generation to do something they've never had to do read a book of ( history)!!!!!!!!

[@apsert]

LOL OMG THATS "GENERATIONIST" like racist but towards a generation. DOES not exist of course but That is just how far the Marxist communist will go, Remember you heard it here first!

[@brettwells66]

I thought they burned all those old-fashioned things.

[@scfirefighter2108081]

Yeap and believe in something the media not saying

[@HapPap81]

Mr. Schneider, I absolutely love the way you break things down. You’re the role model that everyone needs. I’m so tired of all the hate in this world and when I watch your videos, it’s like sitting down with PaPa and soaking in so much of his wisdom. Thank you!

[@williamwalters6811]

Come together and love and respect one another regardless of "color". Race does not matter in the end!

[@michelem7986]

Challenging and thought-provoking. Intelligent. I took a graduate course on the U.S. Constitution and we considered whether the south had a right to secede. Very eye-opening. When people will make the effort to do as you suggest, and gather information from several reliable sources, the results are well worth the effort! Thank you!

[@crazydave1145]

They most definitely had the right.

[@deborahl.goforth3295]

I was watching a show recently and can't remember exactly what station or the name of the show but they were talking about how heavily the South was being taxed/tariffed, at that time, for everything they were producing. Conversely all the Northern factories were being given tax breaks/incentives for what they were manufacturing from those goods they received from the South. So the North was getting things at a discount so to speak, due to the cuts made against the South, and then they were selling those goods, many of them back to the South and able to get even more for them. I guess we could kinda equate that with what we have going on today with our government helping big Pharma and Corporate america against We The People.

[@billducas]

With most actors putting their opinions forward and condemning the police, John is a breath of fresh air. He's very open minded and sees things the way they actually are. He backs up everything with proof and not opinions. John is one of those guys you could sit all Saturday afternoon and just talk with him. You feel good when he arrives, and you feel even better after talking to him.

[@UnityMotorSportsGarage]

Bill you are so right!

[@reh3884]

Yeah, racists do love other racists, don't they?

[@nathandross5095]

@@reh3884 there is no proof to your statement so be gone troll!

[@RandomJ2023]

There was no proof given? He gave everyone an assignment. I did my research. And it was, historically , counter to the message the blacks served nobelly, faithfully and honorably for the Confederacy. We are entitled to opinions but we can not refute facts.

[@RicKariProductions]

If anyone is defending the Confederacy and minimizing the intent of why the south fought the war for any other reason than to own slaves...they are NOT asking tough questions they are (as Mr Schneider is) just pushing false "lost cause" Confederate propaganda that's been pushed since they lost the civil war. After the civil war the Confederacy had to attempt to re brand themselves as less evil. After all, they lost. Lost, yes, but even that didn't stop most southerners from finding new and effective ways to spread their hate and racism. They hid in plain sight....and the Confederate flag was a most useful tool in spreading their hate. This fact makes it hard to accept anyone defending the confederate flag. Some might truly believe the flag is anything but racist. These are the ignorant people we should fear most. Those who likely never understand that even if there's a .0005 % that the Confederate has been used as a racist tool (i'm sure that % is way higher)...that it should be discarded. The historical significance of the Confederate flag leans more towards racism then it does towards other claims. for this reason alone it should be discarded. Of course the Confederate flag is used throughout the south in 2020. it goes beyond historical context. Imagine if Disney remade the Song of the South for 2020 and kept in all the racial stereotypes, and blatant racism of it's production year, to say nothing of other films like Gone with the Wind. Context does matter. The attempt to convince people that the Confederate flag represents something completely different today is a total fail. Why? Look at the Swastika. It's funny....I'm pretty sure Mr Schneider would NOT defend the Swastika. Ironic, isn't it? After all....all the people who do support the Swastika in 2020 claim that symbol represents something completely different....white pride, or something like that. Does anyone believe the Swastika represents anything other than hate??? Here is the crux. People Like John Schneider push hate and claim its love. see to problem here??? Mr Schneider asks hard questions just like the Roman Catholic church does about its pedophile priest does, oh wait, I'm sorry....the church blames the victims. Hahahahahahahahah. My mistake. John Schneider is surely not blaming the slaves....surely he's not siding with the Confederate leaders who claimed slaves were better off as slaves than where they came from. I'm sure this southern pride he has for the flag comes from a deep seated love of the south and a hatred for those who fought for the right to own slaves. Most people who defend the Confederate flag find it easy to disregard any negative claim against said flag. Maybe I'm wrong and Mr Schneider is asking the hard questions.......or maybe he's simply a racist apologist spinning his views to maintain and promulgate them.

[@MotorScotti]

Right on John! I don't think that The Dukes of Hazzard was/is a racist show. The way the Confederate Flag was used was, in my opinion, to reflect the rebel side of the Duke family. I do understand if the flag is seen as a racist flag in general today, but it surely was never the intention of the show and the values the General Lee as a fictional car stood for. Last but not least, I think it's crucial to question everything in your life and do the proper research in whatever it is you want to understand properly.

[@lynwoodcampbelljr.4597]

I was raised that the Confederate flag is a symbol of rebelling. And I live in South Carolina. That definition of that flag will always stay with me

[@kivesimmons1735]

I'm 19 and from Ohio and I grew up looking at the confederate flag as a flag that stood for rebelling against something or someone I never grew up thinking it was a sign of hatred or racism and I look at everyone as an equal because that's how they should be treated no matter their skin color or religion

[@beverlymcmurray7652]

I don't think the rebel flag on the dukes Hazzard car or show was disrespectful it wasn't racist people need get that threw there head the show should have never been took off the air the show was clean and respectful family show the rebel flag is history not racist bring back dukes of Hazzard

[@RetArmy]

First it's not a rebel flag it is the Christian flag of St Anthony. It is also the battle flag of the Confederacy. The actual Confederate States flag was totally different originally it looked too much like the United States flag so they changed it.

[@karlbuchanan1363]

@@lynwoodcampbelljr.4597 Because nobody gives a dam about slavery...

[@steves6407]

When I was in grade school in the 1970's we did a report on The civil war Southern slave owners of which at least 10,000 were Black and supported the Confederacy. Further more the slave issue while important to the south was less so than there States Rights, Sovereignty and Economic health of which they thought Lincoln was going to eliminate! There are many more reasons and here is another odd question Why did Robert E Lee Free his slaves long before the war ever happened yet he fought for the Virginia on the side of the Confederacy + He and his wife donated their Plantation to the USA and it is now known as the Arlington National Cemetery!

[@kenkrausse3624]

Nice

[@b.webbbodyworks8859]

Robert E Lee’s plantation was confiscated, not donated.

[@Rodzilla5332]

B.WebbBodyWorks and they built the monument in Mrs. Lee’s rose garden to ensure she would never want to live there again. There is something to be said about how he treated the slaves at his home. He (illegally) taught them to read and write, provided excellent medical attention and many built a town around the home and stayed after the freeing of the slaves. Lee was offered the Union Army and was an excellent General he just could bear the thought of fighting against his “beloved Virginia”. State pride meant something back then.

[@dgsixkado6649]

Because my Grandfather was always against slavery and secession. He was loyal to Virginia and turned down Lincolns offer to oversee the Union Army. The tariffs were the root cause of the Civil War not slavery, The left has always sought to use slavery as a political weapon

[@terrycampbell8706]

steve s you might want to read alexander stephens declaration of succession

[@TennRides]

I already know the outcome of the research. My history prof back in college earned his PhD with his dissertation in the War Between The States. He used to say that anyone that believed that the desire to secede from the Union was solely upon slavery was a fool, and they had no idea what they were talking about. It is sad how history, which is supposed be simply recorded facts, has become political fodder for fools and they twist the truth to the point it is no longer recognizable. But, as my professor said, "what should we expect when liberal extremists have invaded out schools, colleges, and universities. They spew out lies and hate, rather than fact and truth." That was many years ago, how much worse has it gotten? Look around and see the result of decades of liberalism! I agree, and would add, "Yes, that and the news media, social media, and political realm to the point they are all acting like communists and think they are doing something good."

[@will2003michael2003]

What percentage of their desire to secede was based around the desire to keep slavery? 99%? 50%? 10%? What would you say? was slavery not an issue during the civil war?

[@will2003michael2003]

Dude, their political party lost, that’s why the wanted to leave the union. Nothing to with slavery. Lincoln was not even in office before they declared independence. But they knew what the liberal Republican Party and Lincoln had in mind… he was gonna free the… cough… I mean, raise tariffs and trample all over their right to keep any particular institutions they wanted. Anyone who says the war was over slavery is a liberal commie. It was over freedom! Freedom to keep other men in chains if you want to or not. That’s the America they fought the war for.

[@TennRides]

@@will2003michael2003 I never claimed any percentage, just that it was NOT the only issue going on at that time, that led those states to want to succeed. Sure, slavery was a part of the issue, but again, NOT the main, or only, issue.

[@TennRides]

@@will2003michael2003 One of the big things that was happening, that the liberals love to try and cover, is the southern states were basically forced to have slaves. I have worked in tobacco, most of my family had farms and grew tobacco, and I know how back breaking it actually is. It is an EXTREMELY labor oriented crop, even today. It takes a LOT of people to harvest the plants and get them hung in the barn, etc. Tobacco growers wanted more money for their crops, which the northern states demanded for next to nothing. The feds controlled the price farmers got paid, and it was not enough to hire laborers to harvest the crops in time at the right time. Had the north been willing to pay more for the tobacco, slavery would have not been needed. Had the south won, The Confederate States Of America would have demanded more money and no longer needed slaves. The same holds true with cotton. I have not worked cotton, but I know people that do. Cotton, now mostly relies on machinery, was also very labor intensive. If you have ever seen real cotton plants, you can imagine how raw it could make your hands after a full day of picking it by hand and trying to bale it. Again, if the north would have paid more for the cotton to hire people....same story, different crop. Either way, slavery would have ended when there was enough paid for the crops to afford to hire labor. There were other issues, but that one always seems to interest people. Merry Christmas.

[@will2003michael2003]

@@TennRides interesting and thanks for taking the time to write. That theory stands in contrast to much economic theory. To quote Thomas Paine “what we obtain too cheaply we value cheaply” for it is in dearness only that gives everything it’s value”. Given this as true, slavery was the thing that under cut the value of cotton and other labor-intensive products. If cotton was not valuable enough of a product to be sold for a profit then it should not have been produced. Southern land is not so worthless that it cannot be used to grow many other crops. Had they not produced it it’s a value would have gone up or it would have ceased to be used. I’d submit that rather than slavery being a necessity it was a cheap and quickfix to make some landowners very rich and possibly help sustain a failing quickly becoming unprofitable industry. Had “the north” paid more these slaveowners more for their cotton they no doubt would have simply reaped in the profits as they did and a inefficient industry would have been propped up allowed to continue. Granted things like the cotton gin changed a lot, I don’t believe that slavery was ever a necessity. I also tend to disagree that slavery would’ve ended if profits were high enough, why would an owner change a business model that is making them increasingly rich? I think they would’ve just used that to sustain their lifestyles. I guess I tend to be a strong believer in laissez-faire economics.

[@jackcook4772]

I think we letting the narrow mindedness of a few people rule our freedom of the majority of the people...

[@donnaallen2207]

@Leo Peridot The Democratic party started those, the Democratic party didn't want to free the slave, but the Republican's went against them and passed the law to free the slaves. Research for yourself and you'll find out I'm right.

[@donnaallen2207]

@Leo Peridot What you are saying is not true. Whoever told you this is lying. The Democrats are the ones that was connected to the kKK. The Democrats didn't even want to free the slaves, but thank goodness the Republican party didn't agree with them, so see the Democrats are the one who's racist and do all they can to divide us.

[@donnaallen2207]

I stand by my post. Everyone yes do your own research that way you'll hopefully find out the truth.

[@donnaallen2207]

@Eric Tasaico Thank you for bringing that to my attention.

[@mushmanpeets7867]

@@donnaallen2207 You are so confused you fool. That was then and this is now:The party who is the most anti - black hard core racist organization today is of course the Republiscum party. Both parties are racist to the core but the Republiscum party takes the white hoods by far. Happy trails.

[@kenrichter4553]

Nice way to say " educate yourself" .intelligence is a good thing to have.

[@mploi9759]

So John, you say you like challanging questions. Good for you. So here is one for you, "how do they get the caramilk in a caramilk bar"? So there's your question John. Enjoy your day!

[@davidmcglone409]

@@mploi9759 the same way cows get their spots. ;-)

[@mploi9759]

@@davidmcglone409 I paint mine marine enamel and you??

[@davidmcglone409]

@@mploi9759 I paint mine any color that works to reply to off topic comments.

[@mploi9759]

@@davidmcglone409 awesome! I would like to try glow in the dark paint next time around.

[@stopfakenews8368]

john, I'm 52....... I grew up on the Dukes. Never once in my life have I have heard a person say "I like that General Lee car and/or confederate flag because .... yadda yadda, something to do with slavery or white supremacy" ..............Liberals have lost their minds.

[@Hardbody217]

But that was YOUR experience with the flag. Mine as well. The Confederate flag meant the Dukes of Hazzard to me. Then I educated myself and realized that, to many people, it's a symbol of something much worse. Humans are capable of cognitive dissonance. It's possible to respect history while continuing to grow.

[@charlenemcnally6073]

I am 52 also. Just remember we are in a War - A War between Good and Evil. We are also in an election. This happened in 2016 as well. They want to cause War. Remember Vote Trump 2020. He saved Our Republic and we have greater things ahead as well. Keep the faith and follow God's teachings.

[@danglaser5030]

Don't disagree liberals have lost their minds; I live in Seattle. Here's the rub, if it doesn't hurt you, it's hard to see the harm. If other people have negative emotional and/or physical reactions (sometimes even traumatizing) to something any decent human being should respect that. I love to set off fireworks, but my dogs hate it. I decided to stop setting off fireworks, even though I like it. Small sacrifice for me. Perhaps that's a poor example but in the end id rather be bored than entertained by the thing that tortures others.

[@rb032682]

@Stop - It is those who still honor slaver terrorists and their "Heritage OF Hate!" who have lost their minds.

[@captainprototype187]

@Stop, Try to answer John's question nitwit. You need to do some research an not spout your tired old lines.

[@edschermerhorn5415]

We must be challenged by history to be able to truly understand it! Thank you, sir, for calling us all to seek the truth for ourselves! We must seek to quit finding meme/tweet/single statement answers for everything! We must learn that most controversy is more than that. We can make bold statements on precise moral questions, but when multiple moral questions need to be combined to make a decision, that is when answers are forced to be more complicated!

[@tomfooleryx517x2]

I'm Mexican and from the South.. I agree with everything he says in this video..

[@crunchybobjones]

Simple answer is yes, The Civil War was about more than just slavery..

[@caomhan84]

It was about more than just slavery, but slavery was the main issue, namely the balance of slave states and free states. Wealthy landowners in the south were terrified that their agrarian economic model would be obliterated if 9 million slaves were freed by Lincoln. Furthermore, to free them meant eventually that they were equal in society, which back then would not have been acceptable to the majority of southern whites. Living alongside them in equality was anathema to too many of them. So slavery definitely was the biggest issue. Though certainly not the only one for the majority of the soldiers that actually did the fighting. More so the politicians that started the whole thing. As a proud Virginian, I can admit this. THAT BEING SAID, I disagree totally with the direction the country is moving with regard to what I see as the erasure of the Civil War as history. We have people in the media telling us that we should forget it, move on, it's over. That's utter nonsense. The Civil War was the second most defining moment in this country's history. To forget it or move on from it is to ignore what made us who we are today. Closing our eyes to part of this country's essential journey. Furthermore, while some of the Confederate monuments are from the Jim Crow era and expressly put up for racist purposes, many are not. I'm totally against the desecration of any monument that was put up for the dead. Or even what's going on in Maryland right now, where they want to remove a plaque in the state government that commemorates the battle dead of both sides. Some of the lawmakers say it offends them. To me that literally makes no sense. And finally, people should be allowed to celebrate their heritage. Recently, I have seen people say "Why celebrate a war that was lost or victories that didn't mean anything?" And to that I say, for the same reason that Africans celebrate the victories of Isandlwana and the Mahdi in Sudan when they defeated the British. No one ever talks about how the British came back and completely obliterated the Zulus in South Africa and the Mahdist forces in Sudan. They prefer to celebrate the victories they achieved as a high point in their heritage. Thinking proudly of Confederate victories or heroes is absolutely no different to that. But making that comparison requires thinking, and that's an uncomfortable thing for most people, as well as the media who want to direct discourse and go along with this sea change. Edited for typos.

[@matthewbarnhart5874]

I think s too. I also think without slavery those other things are no longer enough participate a war.

[@kevinroark4346]

Of course it was ,it was about the North having all the businesses&power over the South/&over the entire USA.

[@therealcraigsutton2740]

@@kevinroark4346 speak the truth brother 💯

[@bond1j89]

@@kevinroark4346 Just like the government and big businesses over the farmers of today.

[@Rodzilla5332]

Complex question but my thought is that they were able to compare what they had as free men in the south to what they could have as free men in the north and it was in their best interest that the south win the war. A free black man in the south could own a patent but couldn’t in the north. He could be elected to office but couldn’t in the north. Nobody much knows about the first black city mayor. That’s what I think. They did it in their own best self interest.

[@rb032682]

@Rod - Do you have any citations for those "facts"?

[@martinlight43]

Thank you John.

[@3879keith]

@@rb032682 :.... what did John just tell you???????????

[@3879keith]

@@debrac3391 :.....What did John just tell you????????

[@freedomnews7922]

Actually a black man could be elected to office in America after the war. The first black congressmen were in fact Republican and were elected shortly after the civil war.

[@westernspud504]

People forget that the civil war was not About slavery but the right of represantition regarding tax hikes , that is why the south decided to segragate from the north ! . not slavery ,

[@buildfixbreak7947]

Good work John! We should all be champions of critical thinking. Question EVERYTHING you hear from everybody. Go research it for yourself. Most people saying something have at least part of the story wrong if not more.

[@onie4024]

Hey, you know what....they were just the good ol' boys, never meanin' no harm.

[@chrisdewoody1529]

The mountains might get him but the law never will!

[@basedbear1605]

Beats all you never saw, been in trouble with the law since the day they were born.

[@chrisbryan7178]

Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it

[@CPhase2]

I researched this issue a while back and still retain some of the sources from back then. But Black men "supported" the Confederacy (either in direct combat or otherwise laboring) for a variety of reasons. However, the literature indicates that there existed a Black aristocracy of sorts in the South that still did not have the same rights and privileges as Whites. Some owned slaves, themselves. The few thousand free Black men who chose to support the Confederacy did so based on two primary (but not only) motivations: 1. the hope of inching closer towards equality, and 2. the fear that the more comfortable lives they did have would be taken away, and they'd be enslaved. It is worth noting that this dynamic still exists among Black people today, albeit in a less overt manner (as White supremacy, in many ways, is less overt). for example, a multimillionaire football player may have been willing to risk everything to take a stand against police brutality; but interestingly, many other players limited their risk exposure. Black men make up over 60% of the NFL, and their activities generate billions of dollars a year for the NFL, its owners, the various locations they travel to and through, travel industries, apparel industries, etc. Yet they did not collectively throw down their jerseys and walk off the field (the comparison being that they opted to remain begrudgingly supporting a facet of the Confederacy rather than abandoning it). Some sources: Yes, There Were Black Confederates. Here’s Why - www.theroot.com/yes-there-were-black-confederates-here-s-why-1790858546 Black Confederates and Afro-Yankees in Civil War Virginia - books.google.com.af/books?id=366g6T8ADjkC&pg=PA202&lpg=PA202&dq=the+black+pseudo-aristocracy+Ervin+Jordan&source=bl&ots=tZpNq4nDBG&sig=IvcYomq6a7jyntX9B_yCE3oWN3w&hl=en&sa=X&ei=0pu9VPahDMi1ggTkqoT4BQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=the%20black%20pseudo-aristocracy%20Ervin%20Jordan&f=false General Butler in New Orleans - archive.org/details/generalbutlerin01partgoog/mode/2up Been in the Storm So Long: The Aftermath of Slavery (book) Other sources dispute that Black men ever fought for the Confederacy because the Confederacy would not recognize Blacks as soldiers. However, despite its controversial nature, the literature indicates that it's simply an uncomfortable truth.

[@julianpetkov8320]

You are right, the Police should get abolished. Free people don't need concentration camp guards. The 2A gives everyone the right to protect themselves.

[@lowdownone]

Yep

[@joeterp5615]

I don’t view millionaire athletes who protest alleged police brutality incidents as people taking a difficult stand. They are on the side of the majority of their community in that viewpoint. It’s mostly a feel-good posturing move for publicity. Kaepernick is still a millionaire and got endorsement deals after his protest. It became common to kneel, there was no widespread impact for athletes who kneeled. It may have possibly factored into no other teams signing Kaepernick, but he was certainly well on the downward slope of his career. Also, it wasn’t the position itself that people mostly objected to - it was doing it while on the job and during the anthem. If he had gone to the police headquarters of the accused officer and protested there instead, he would have received a small fraction of the criticism he did - and, the focus could have remained squarely on the issue of police brutality, and not on the anthem. Now athletes who DO NOT agree with the BLM political agenda and are willing to say it - those athletes are brave and risk losing a lot. You KNOW they will be heavily criticized and called every name in the book. Do you hear them much? No, black or white, you don’t, because they are petrified of what will happen to them if they voice their opinion. Also athletes who stand up against vaccine mandates - they are brave as hell for standing up to the political pressure. And, making any comparison of the plight of actual slaves to free people who are in the top 1% of income earners I think is a bit insulting to those who suffered the horrible indignity of slavery.

[@jokester3076]

there is no evidence of free black men ever serving as soldiers in the confederate army, what you see in old photographs is uniformed camp slaves.

[@CPhase2]

@@joeterp5615 I disagree, and here's why; Kaep took his position, first, quietly, and with specific purpose that he only revealed when asked. And when he did, he absolutely suffered for it. He remained a millionaire, but he was also blacklisted from football. Remarking on his skill is a non-issue. Worse players were re-signed. He was not only blackballed, but he was publicly attacked (as well as supported). While he did it during the anthem, it wasn't ABOUT the anthem. That said, the name of the anthem is "The Star Spangled Banner" after the U.S. flag. The flag specifically stands for a promise that was not being met. Thus, the protest WAS fitting during the anthem. Moreover, to value standing for a song over protesting the brutalization of human life is telling. And the nature of a protest (silent or otherwise) is to confront people with an uncomfortable, ugly reality. It is not supposed to make people feel good or at ease. Indeed, throughout the history of protest, there have always been others who suggested that the protest was inappropriate. Back during the Civil Rights movement, many White people suggested that Black people should stop protesting and be thankful for the way things are...for everything "America gave them;" after all..."slavery was abolished." The same sentiments are echoed today. But let's pretend he DID protest outside a police station. Given the typical Conservative position that Police should be elevated above all others, and that they can do no wrong, I believe people STILL would not be content with Kaep's protest. The average person can't even make a comment about police on social media without it turning into an argument.

[@usafvet6766]

The Rebel Flag stands for Heritage NOT Hate,!

[@adamkathover478]

That true to a point there is actually 2 rebel flags thow one is the kkk flag witch is bright red and one is the Confederate flag witch is blood red

[@760jjsole8]

This stuff going on in 2020 is worst than a Twilight Zone episode. Don't think anything going to be the same no more.

[@fishoutofwater5913]

They said that in WW 1 and WW 2 also, it will take a war to put it back.

[@aslanmonn86]

@@fishoutofwater5913 Yeah... I'm afraid that's where it'll end up

[@gbjanuary]

Fish Out of Water what kind of war certainly not nuclear 🤯

[@dindog22]

bring on the murder hornets

[@NwoDispatcher]

Collective Memory has been extended through the internet. We are in a game changing paradigm of world history

[@OneWheelJava]

Wow John!! Thanks so much for asking this question. First, I ignorantly assumed that all people of color in the South were enslaved. Second, I had no idea some volunteered to fight for the South. Third, I didn't take your word for it, I actually looked it up. Fourth, I'm not ashamed to say that I own a Confederate flag, AND I own a diecast replica of the General Lee which plays the horn tune. I'm a proud Black man living in Texas, blessed to be American and honored to live the life I live. 🙏🏾 #HAHN #DOHC

[@BIGMIKE816]

Randal Ansile they were NOT paid. They had MASTERS. What do you mean “free”. Please explain. So 200k UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS with 175 regiments PICS AND NONE WITH CONFEDERATE? www.afroamcivilwar.org/about-us/usct-history.html www.battlefields.org/learn/topics/united-states-colored-troops

[@OneWheelJava]

Mike T I never mentioned pay. So not sure of your outrage there. 2nd, there actually were Blacks in the South that were not slaves. It's unfortunate that education convinced some that blacks could only be saves, and stuck on plantations in the South. That's fake news.

[@BIGMIKE816]

Randal Ansile sure a handful were. But the MAJORITY 90+% were not free and were terrorized by the KKK, killed for their land, etc. I mentioned pay because you had to get paid to be recognized as a soldier. FREE LABOR is a slave

[@OneWheelJava]

Mike T Fighting to protect your own property and financial interests is not free or slavery. It's self-preservation. There were Blacks in the South who didn't trust that the North would allow freed men of color to keep their lands, businesses. The KKK while a radical group were not all "radical" in action everywhere. I get it's easier to bunch everyone into the same basket. The truth is, just as it is today, not everyone Black is living under the subjective view of being oppressed. Same then, same now.

[@BIGMIKE816]

Randal Ansile what property 😂? Owning another human being!!!?? Call it what it is. “Self-preservation “ is STILL fighting for your right to OWN. Of course there were misinformed Blacks and ONLY A HAND FULL fighting in the South. You can barely find pics while having 175 regiments and over 200k in the North. I get it, only the North had cameras 😂. “Not all KKK were radical”. You’re right they had soup kitchens for Blacks. Only placed stakes burning in 1 of 2 Black homes right 😂.

[@ringokidd387]

Absolutely totally true what you're saying about the blacks fighting for the South I didn't have to look it up in the books of propaganda of today my family lived it! Hey Bo check out the very eloquent letters written by the Cherokee People of the Cherokee nation's very beautiful letters written and sent to President Lincoln a declaration of war and pledging their allegiance to the southern people the southern cause for southern Independence!

[@Chieftain357]

Mr. Schneider you are a logical person. Not to many out there it seems.

[@captainfragger6295]

I grew up in the 70s and I remember what they taught us in school so when all these liberal started rewriting history I knew better so why researched it back when everyone what is losing their minds and name-calling. Civil War was caused basically because of 12 South considered unfair representation. The South had as much land as the north but the north was more heavily populated and got more Representatives. As a result they were able to appropriating more money for projects having to do with a North and things that would help Northern industry. Which the South considered to be unfair since because of they're booming economy they were paying in more taxes than the people of North. They felt that they were being taken advantage of because the north was using their money for stuffed up there. Basically the war was about whether or not the southern states had the right to dissolve the Union they had freely signed up for to begin with. The South wanted to rule themselves. The truth is less than 1% of the population even owned slaves. Slavery was on its way out but no one wanted to tell them they didn't have the right to do it and it was only through trickery and holding back information that they were able to pass it through Congress and the Senate. There were no representatives from the south or it would have been easily blocked. Which it should have been abolished long before that. However they did Ben the rules to get rid of it. Also it's important to know that Native Americans also own slaves. As did some free black people. In fact the very first slave owner in the United States was a black man. Another black man owed him money and he sued him in court and won him as a slave. This is why I get so tired of the liberal narrative. They claim all white people owned slaves. While it was less than 1% at the very height of slavery which was already starting to wane at the time of the Civil War. And 2/3 are the Americans today are descended from immigrants who immigrated after the Civil War which means the white people in America today were not slave owners only a very few would have been. In fact their relatives were not even in the country when it was going on. The north was extremely desperate and it promised freedom to any black person that would serve in the army. So basically people caught with a North to gain their freedom. While the black people in the South fought in the War because they loved the South. Kind of makes you think about that. There are all kinds of historical pictures with black Confederate Army members. People who were as proud of the South as the people up north were proud of the North. Personally I am glad the slaves were free it should have happened a lot sooner. Idealistically we should never have had slaves. I find it extremely telling that black people today Embrace Islam. And reject Christianity because it is The White Man's religion. The so-called slave owners religion. While the fact of the matter is it is the Muslims who were the slave traders who brought them to America in the first place. And they were a hell of a lot more brutal than the slave owners in America. They brought them to other countries as well such as Cuba Haiti and Jamaica. They also took them to the Middle East. The reasons there are not a lot of black people in the Middle East is because Muslims consider them to be animals and required them to be castrated before they were allowed to come into the country. It's hard to have descendants when you've been castrated. It's also fair to note that these people still own slaves and the descendants of slaves that are mixed with Muslims due to raping of the black women over there. It's also fair to note that it was their own black Countryman that sold into slavery in the first place. And had it not been for the slave Traders they would have been killed outright because that's what their Countryman wanted to do they only spared them because of financial gain. Yeah they want to embrace Africa and their long-lost relatives over there. Who would have killed their ancestors had it not been for the slave Traders. This is what happens when you let liberals teach history and twist everything around to fit a narrative of hate. The bottom line is not a single person in the United States his alive today that was a slave or who owned a Slave. It is also fair to note that the same Democrat Party that was in charge of the South also started the KKK after losing the war to suppress the black people. And they waged a silent hundred year war of Terror against a black people. Keeping them segregated in schools to keep them as uneducated as they could and to keep them in fear so they can control them. It was the Republicans once again in 1965 that voted to give them the right to vote. The Democrats have been fighting them for a long time. And when they found out they were going to lose they started using welfare to enslave them and separate their families. Welfare is a Cancer and may have used it against black people to destroy their family units. They have started rumors and lies claiming the party switch positions. Which is a lie because you can still look it up and nowhere has these wife long Republicans Or democrats ever switched parties in Masse. It doesn't even make sense to say they did what would they possibly have to gain from it? They are suggesting that people who used to be racist stopped being racist and started caring. And people who used to care stopped caring and started being racist. This is so ridiculous but you must remember they had kept black people segregated and uneducated so it was easier to fool people who were uneducated. And they have past the tradition of ignorance down through the generations to continue to vote for the Democrats. Basically selling their votes for welfare which keeps them in poverty. I should also mention that it was the Democrat Party that started the Negro Project which was the original name for Planned Parenthood. They hate black people so much that they wanted to kill them before they were even born to keep their numbers low. That's why after all this time they only make up 13% of the population. The number one cause of death among black people is abortion. The number two cause of death is black-on-black homicide. A black person is twice as likely to be killed by another black person than by someone of another race. While a white person is more times as likely to be killed by a black person then by a member of their own race. Cops kill 10 times as many white people as they do black people. The way the welfare works is it encourages crime. and black people commit a disproportionate amount of the crime. So less than 6% of the black population commence over 40% of the violent crime in America. Everything can be traced back to blame the Democrats who are quick to blame everyone else and try to pretend like they are helping. I have researched all of this because I'm always getting in arguments on social media with liberals who try to act like they know more than anyone else. And knowledge is power and if you are powerful in knowledge they cannot walk on you like they do when you are not. With me I usually get called all kinds of names followed by being reported and blocked but that is what happens when these people lose an argument. And the crazy thing is most of the problems we are having today is caused by and carried out by white people. Who are trying to whitesplaining for black people. Who are more than capable to speak for themselves and don't need these fools causing them problems

[@llshamelessll]

@Gee Mo Sorry friend.. it was the Irish that built America. The roads,canals, railroads, mines. They were desperate and they were far more educated than former slaves.

[@ericgriffin397]

Thank you for your post!! People need to do a little research or just watch the news and it backs up everything you said about everyday crime!!

[@renohuskerdu4592]

Even in the 70s we were being brainwashed. The Great Depression was caused by Capitalism and Socialism saved us...for example of a huge lie they fed us.

[@donnypopovski7251]

As an Australian, I appreciate you comment. Can someone otherwise tell me how I'm supposed to listen to Shannon Sharpe's opinions on these matter? He seems really wound up.

[@captainfragger6295]

@@renohuskerdu4592 100% but not nearly as bad

[@nfordf450]

As a confederate re enactor I know my history. Yes there where free black men that signed up. One company in Louisiana even had black officers and was formed within months of the start of the war. Actually defending the new orlands harbor from the Lincoln blockade. They where so good no ship was blocked from coming in or leaving the port the whole time they where there.

[@tiffanypayne-martin4966]

My husband is also a reenactor. He watches H.K. Edgerton on you tube, he is a descendent of black confederate. There is also a book which he reads alot. Called Black Southerners in Confederate Armies by J.H.Segars and Charles Kelly Barrow which is a good read.

[@JohnSchneiderStudios]

Tiffany Payne-martin I will get them for sure.

[@swnews4u161]

The 1st Louisiana Native Guard was active only from April 1861 to Jan 1862 when the Louisiana State Legislature prohibited black troops from serving....they quickly formed a Union regiment later in 1862 after New Orleans fell

[@thomaslawry6304]

1,500 free blacks formed the "1st Louisiana Native Guards" in the early days of the war, but they were ordered to disband by the Confederacy in January 1862. Some of the men of the unit later joined the Union Army. "Finish your history lesson please brother". In those same Official Records, no Confederate ever references having black soldiers under his command or in his unit, although references to black laborers are common. The non-existence of black combat units is further indicated by the records of debates in the Confederate Congress over the issue of black enlistment. The idea was repeatedly rejected until, on March 13, 1865, the Confederate Congress passed a law to allow black men to serve in combat roles, although with the provision “that nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize a change in the relation which the said slaves shall bear toward their owners,” i.e. that black soldiers would still be slaves. Active fighting ended less than three weeks after the law was passed, and there is no evidence that any black units were accepted into the Confederate Army as a result of the law. Whatever black combat service might have occurred during the war, it was not sanctioned by the Confederate government. Even beyond the Official Records, there is no known letter, diary entry, or any other primary source in which a Confederate mentions serving with black soldiers.

[@markfoster3650]

My dad and brother were both civil war re-enactors. I still have my dad's uniform (union) and sword. They got a lot of enjoyment out of it. My dad was a civil war historian, too. I would love to have his opinion now.

[@TheRBW62]

I have read and love history. Great that you are a critical thinker. You have the answer as I do. Slavery was the excuse, money was the reason. High tariffs on Cotton, the Souths Blood. Peace

[@jennieRebel01]

Solid, considerate, and profound as always. Mr. John, I come to you to see what you will say on topics as they occur and you never let me down. I wish I could express myself as genuine and intelligently as you do. My great grandfather fought for the CSA. He is buried in the same church cemetery where we buried my mother, and where I will be buried someday. He was a poor man. A share cropper and walked home from the war. My mom studied our genealogy and I have her documents. She wanted me to understand our heritage. She wanted me to know history. She took me to every old library in TN, digging through microfishe and old dusty hand written ledgers, census records, death certificates. I treasure this education.

[@AJJohnson164]

My family is also from Tennessee and fought in the Civil War on the Confederate side, but were never slave owners. They could barely afford the clothes on their backs. I hope people learn where they came from, and not try to forget what happened

[@UrbanOutlaw713]

U should be super proud of your heritage but the fact is the confederacy were traitors who rebelled and wished to over throw the USA . U can’t be loyal to two flags . Slavery or whether ur family were slave owners is neither here nor there. Like I said u should be proud of your heritage remember honor and pass that pride down to your kids and so forth. Still the USA as a whole should never had honored or erected statues of any traitors to the USA. By all means hang the flag in your yard I’m Mexican American from Texas 5 generations the confederate flag doesn’t spur any racist opinion to me but it does represent division and an attempt to topple the greatest country USA. U can speak many languages pray to any God but in this country but I was taught we only pledge salute and honor one flag as a nation. Just my opinion on the subject from my point of view race and slavery aside. We stand under one flag in this country

[@stephenisom6089]

@@UrbanOutlaw713 you can.. we have the english flag scotish flag welsh flag and our union flag all loyal to all .....,but then our left wing communist party are the smallest group,so no influence plus we don,t believe our left wing media.... ware as in the,, usa people believe the most silly nonsense, the twisted left wing media spout...for example the left wing protesters,that are rioting peacefully .is covered so// ..protesting good peacefully.good rioting omitted. um/..but then when the ,right turns up to stop the rioting the media call them wright wing extremist who are rioting so cover so./,, extremist bad,,,rioting added bad... ,so the media portray their communist friends as protesters ,and the right as extremist ..and thats one brain washing example there are many more ,we no longer listen to our sh// sterring media america though hook line and sinker,,

[@jennhill8708]

@@UrbanOutlaw713 Actually, the South believed the Articles of Confederation, not of the CSA, but of the Colonies which FREELY gathered together. They read the Constitution in a way that differed from Abe Lincoln. If they entered freely into an association, they could freely dis-associate. It's only after the Civil War that this concept was made null & void.

[@ekoch5929]

Agree with Jennie. I had ancestors that fought and died on both sides of the war. No, southerners were not traitors. They felt their sovereignty was being violated, which was what their ancestors fought and died to achieve from the tyranny of King George. Unfortunately the back seat drivers of today feel like they understand the minds of a new nation whose stories of survival were told by to them by their grandparents. I have read many of those first hand accounts of which Schneider speaks while doing my own research of my ancestors. One of those ancestors was my great great grandfather who arrived in Georgia alone and with nothing just five years before the Civil War started. He was a shoemaker who owned nothing and barely spoke English, but he felt compelled to support his state and defend his new home. He was no traitor. One cannot judge the actions of 1860 society with the eyes of 2020. Also, at the time every aspect of the United States economy and that of much of the world centered around the cotton industry. Those who owned the slaves were not the only ones who kept them in chains. The wealth and prosperity of the north was a direct result of the cotton industry, the booming worldwide garment industry and global trade. Nobody’s hands were clean in that regard. Even if a family had nothing to do with the cotton, garment or trade industries, they directly benefited from the general prosperity and growth of the time, which was a direct result of the nation’s cash cow...the cotton industry. There were indeed many free blacks that willfully enlisted in the Confederate military or fought as militia. Likewise, there were many free black men that enlisted with the Union forces. There were also slaves who ran off to join the Union troops. It wasn’t simply just an issue of slavery. It was much more complicated than that, and the war represented a myriad of issues in the minds of every person at every level of standing, including the slaves. If you think it was all about slavery and that the Confederates were just a bunch of traitors, I challenge you to actually do the research that Schneider is suggesting. You will quickly gain a new perspective. Slavery was surely a big part of the war at its core, but not as simply as you may believe. Educate yourself with the actual accounts of the many viewpoints and then form your conclusions. That is your challenge.

[@michaelhaba9605]

Loved watching Dukes of Hazzard Fri nights as as a kid. Sad to see it’s getting pulled off air everywhere.

[@gbjanuary]

Michael Haba still going strong in Great Britain shown on TV most nights.👍🏻🥳🥳

[@dogwalker666]

@@gbjanuary where on TV in GB ?

[@keith-kessinger]

You remind me of the Duke family. I'm from a black neighborhood; National City, California and all us kids loved the Dukes. Still do.

[@skyestuffs]

Wow! Thanks, John. I shared your youtube with my daughter just because I knew she needed to hear actual intelligence coming from someone. She is out in the world and has to work around many people today that refuse to think. Instead, they parrot. It has caused her to begin to see others in a negative way. So, I thought listening to you in this youtube might give her light at the end of that dark tunnel where she only seems to find incoherence from others. It might give her relief that there still are people out there that think for themselves. It might give her refuge from the dark that seems to be spreading out there. It might give her pause to realize there are still others out there that are genuine. It might give her a positive view of others again. At least a little. It is refreshing to hear someone talk honestly. And so I hope that she gains some of that refreshment after listening to you. Thanks, again, John, for being here and doing what you are doing. It is much needed. You are a light in the dark.

[@mikenutz4779]

Dukes of Hazzard, Knight Rider, and Buck Rogers will always be part of my childhood. 80s child here, miss your show. Every time my car jumps a bump , I yell yeeee hoooooo.

Buck Rogers was my favorite. Those were good times.

[@Akm72]

@ I prefered Wilma Deering :)

[@McScott76]

Me too! Born in 76, and those were my three favorite shows. I miss those simpler times.

@@McScott76 I was born in 74. Also loved the Bugs Bunny Roadrunner Show. Every Saturday morning.

[@the_tattooed_cupcake]

John you are such a good speaker and I can tell you are well educated. Thank you for this video and making us free Americans put our thinking caps on and do our homework. Very well said and I'm glad you are opening eyes...whatever anyone's opinions are. Great conversation!

[@MarkDC-okiefromMuskogee]

I agree with John. People are so quick to give their "opinion" even if it's not the correct answer. Everyone needs to educate themselves.

[@tinaroberts5858]

Or listen

[@friendly1870]

this aint the greatest country that has ever existed tho. not at all. thats silly to say.

[@billeddy4357]

Mark Criner --- Google the 1861 Letters of Secession from various states , or go to your local library and read them . They clearly state that SLAVERY was the reason for secession . Plantation owners and big tobacco growers were making a fortune off cotton and tobacco , using slaves to harvest the crops . They wanted slavery and they needed slavery , if they were to continue to be wealthy . It was easy for them to organize the secession and the formation of a rebellious nation . A small group of people ran the show , just like today .

[@mariarusso8239]

@@billeddy4357 Hello how are you doing. I hope you are safe and in good health.

[@johngilley3518]

Back in high school, a very passionate history teacher hit on this. He said, without taking sides but as you did, ask the question why did they fight for the confederacy? His answer was in part’s but made YOU think and find out why for your self. One answer was, not all slave owners mistreated their slaves. This was their way of life and some didn’t know another way. Why would the North take away the only home they had ever known? What would happen to them? None of this was meant to cast sympathy on the south but ask if the south was so bad, why would free or slaved men and women fight against the north willingly? This was heavy shit for an 11th grader to ponder🤔 .

[@pappy374]

You know that asking why if the South was so bad would free men fight for them is the same as stating that the South wasn't so bad, right? Texas, for example, when it issued its statement that it was joining the Confederacy, went on record stating that Black people are less than White people and that it was God's will that they were slaves.

[@JasonLewis42]

I think at the time people thought of the States as being more allies to each other more then being one big country. It seems like most people felt more loyalty to their home states then they did to the country as a whole at the time. I figure most of the grunt soldiers probably fought to defend their home from invasion since most didn’t own slaves anyway. So I guess the free blacks could have done the same thing. He did say free blacks didn’t he because not all blacks were slaves even in the south. The question wasn’t why slaves fought for the South it was why free blacks did.

[@johngilley3518]

@@JasonLewis42 Exactly, There was actually more to the war between the state’s than just slavery. It would effect everyone no matter if you had slaves or not.

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

@@johngilley3518 It was about slavery. None of that other shit mattered. It doesn't matter if a southern way of life is destroyed. That way of life didn't deserve to last if it depended on the enslavement of human beings. Fuck all that other nonsense trying to make it about anything other than what it was-enough people in the south felt black people were less than human that they considered them property. They were defending property, and that is a completely abominable idea.

[@johngilley3518]

@@ZiddersRooFurry Okay, so I have a question. Think about this, so where will you live now that you’ve decided to give the Native Americans back there land? They were here first, they were included in the less than a man clause. Couldn’t own property, had their way of life taken from them by Christian’s. This society doesn’t deserve to exist at the expense of their lives and freedoms.This was a question about why did Free Blacks willingly Fight for the South but you made it something else. So I ask you again, where will you live when you make it right?

[@FreeSpiritPressNews]

I lost family on BOTH SIDES of the line so I have BOTH FLAGS in their HONOR & RESPECT FOR THE FINAL MEASURE EACH PAID

[@adriantomlin2902]

Exactly. Hell it was brother against brother?!

[@TB-nh3xw]

Exactly. I also had ancestors on both sides. What many people forget. Both sides not only had volunteer service but draft as well especially later. Back then if you didn't go serve or you deserted you would be killed if caught. But overwhelmingly the folks served as duty to their country. Average Confederate soldiers white, black, hispanic and native American, did not go fight to preserve slavery. And the average Union soldiers didn't fight to free slaves. 2% of the Union army couldn't speak English and they fought for money, mainly Germans. The war between the States was far more intricate and complicated. But it was over money. That is just the plain truth, and it started like cold war in 1839 between the states. Now that's my opinion from research.

[@TB-nh3xw]

I am and will always be proud of my ancestors for serving their country even the ones that served the crown before the Revolution. I also had ancestors on both sides during the Revolutionary War as well.

[@scottmcclure8933]

I, as well. I have traced my family to the first McClure surname to arrive in America. I am also a direct descendant of Pete Browne, that signed “The Mayflower Compact” like 7 great grandfather...love genealogy.

[@BrandonTWills]

Even if you had confederate ancestors it is unlikely they fought under the battle of the N Virginia. You should honor the flag they actually fought under. But maybe historical accuracy is not what you are going for...

[@wallbash1117]

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that count darkness as light, and light as darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

[@CarsandCats]

You know what time we are in! Stay safe, brother.

nice speech but not a believer. I want to see a little justice in the here and now.

[@St_1786]

Do not block the path of righteousness. Consumption of 'self'. Key..occurence.

[@bowen1704]

Every race fought for the south! The last Confederate General was a Native American named Stand Watie!

[@bowen1704]

mikeboydus Yep. Also Latinos, Jews, African Americans, and even Asians like Charles Chon from Texas. He’s buried in Franklin, Tennessee.

[@bowen1704]

mikeboydus yep

[@Galidorquest]

@Bowen Wow, all those people fought on the confederate side? That's crazy. They didn't teach us that in school.

[@monke6774]

@@bowen1704 Most of the African Americans were forced into service and none of them were free, they also rarely ever took up arms against the union they mostly just carried supplies, and dug barricades, the ones that did fight were usually forced to at gunpoint. Not surprising considering that why would a enslaved black man fight for a country trying to defend there right to own him.

[@bowen1704]

Yabu _ Wrong.1,500 free blacks volunteered to serve in the 1st Louisiana militia as guards of New Orleans until the city fell. 1,000 blacks volunteered in Johnston’s army of North Carolina. 20% of Forrest’s cavalry was black and they were offered freedom if they fought. Get an education please

[@jamesdrudge]

The most important point you made is that our citizens need to relearn how to research and form their own opinions. Today we seem to have become a single source society that simply regurgitates lopsided notions.

[@harveybeekerthegreysquirre8262]

But there are so many people who's heritage goes back way back to the Confederate Roots and that's part of who they are . people might not like it but they can't change it either.

[@prestonbrown5771]

I am a proud descendant of a confederate soldier it brakes my heart to see my heritage destroyed just like isis did in middle east how are they different i know isis did atrocities but the destroying statues an the confederate flag is the same they can not take it from me its a part of me i put the confederate flag up with an ar15 on it says come take it go to dixie republic support an show your southern pride not hate long live dixie

[@ebogar42]

@@prestonbrown5771 What are you proud of? I don't get it. Did your family not do anything else you can be proud of instead? Mine were slave owners for generations, but I don't take pride in that or the fact they fought in the Civil war. They were right on the border of VA, so could have fought for the North. They chose the wrong side and lost. Nothing to be proud of. I am proud of my 5th great grandfather peter wright for many other things. I'm proud he released some slaves and gave them some land to live on. I'm proud of the accomplishments in his life and how much he did for the community. I'm proud of the fact that he was the first settler in the city I grew up in. I'm proud that the mountain I grew up on was named after him and that he explored 54 miles of it on his own and was alone in the woods for weeks. I'm proud that he built a fort and was the leader of the community when people started moving there. I'm proud of many things, but not slavery or the civil war. I can still be southern and not get my dick hard over that flag or what the confederacy stood for.

[@jennhill8708]

@Beth Cavin that's the thing. Slaves were only for the wealthy. Most people had no slaves. I know my Mom's family are laterally connected, somehow, to the Lee's. But, the reality is that most people, including free blacks, just wanted to put food on the table & have enough left to sell for things not made on their farms. The whole narrative has changed.

[@alsals6034]

@@ebogar42 Well, damn! Well said.

[@ebogar42]

@Beth Cavin Which state are you from? The battle flag everyone uses isn't even the real confederate flag. The battle flag only flew in a few regiments near the border. States like VA and Tenn. The other states never flew it into battle. They used the real flag. The one with the stars in a circle and resembles the us flag a little. The battle flag wasn't really made popular until the 1900s. The KKK started using it and then around the 40s the Dixicrats who were mostly politicians in the KKK started using it to show they were against blacks having rights. Then around the 50s and 60s other whites started using it and protested with that flag. It wasn't about heritage because only a few states even used that flag, and it wasn't even used that long in the war. It's been a symbol of hate for 120 years. Had nothing to really do with anyone's heritage unless you want to claim the KKK, Dixicrats and other racists that made it popular. Over time that kind of faded out and by the 70s when the Dukes came out it was a new generation of young people, and I don't think they quite knew the real heritage of that flag.

[@lharrill7229]

“The first step in liquidating a people is to erase its memory. Destroy its books, its culture, its history. Then have somebody write new books, manufacture a new culture, invent a new history. Before long the nation will begin to forget what it is and what it was. Milan Kundera

[@lharrill7229]

@Leo Peridot You mean the statues of Democrat war heroes? Because that's exactly who these statues are of. They want to erase their own crimes. They've spent decades telling everyone white conservatives hate them and wanted slavery when it was the democrats the whole time. They voted against the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. They voted against giving women the right to vote.

[@lharrill7229]

@Leo Peridot -- utter bullshit.

[@lharrill7229]

@Leo Peridot - VERIFIABLE FACTS! October 13, 1858 During Lincoln-Douglas debates, U.S. Senator Stephen Douglas (D-IL) states: “I do not regard the Negro as my equal, and positively deny that he is my brother, or any kin to me whatever”; Douglas became Democratic Party’s 1860 presidential nominee April 16, 1862 President Lincoln signs bill abolishing slavery in District of Columbia; in Congress, 99% of Republicans vote yes, 83% of Democrats vote no July 17, 1862 Over unanimous Democrat opposition, Republican Congress passes Confiscation Act stating that slaves of the Confederacy “shall be forever free” January 31, 1865 13th Amendment banning slavery passed by U.S. House with unanimous Republican support, intense Democrat opposition April 8, 1865 13th Amendment banning slavery passed by U.S. Senate with 100% Republican support, 63% Democrat opposition November 22, 1865 Republicans denounce Democrat legislature of Mississippi for enacting “black codes,” which institutionalized racial discrimination February 5, 1866 U.S. Rep. Thaddeus Stevens (R-PA) introduces legislation, successfully opposed by Democrat President Andrew Johnson, to implement “40 acres and a mule” relief by distributing land to former slaves April 9, 1866 Republican Congress overrides Democrat President Johnson’s veto; Civil Rights Act of 1866, conferring rights of citizenship on African-Americans, becomes law May 10, 1866 U.S. House passes Republicans’ 14th Amendment guaranteeing due process and equal protection of the laws to all citizens; 100% of Democrats vote no June 8, 1866 U.S. Senate passes Republicans’ 14th Amendment guaranteeing due process and equal protection of the law to all citizens; 94% of Republicans vote yes and 100% of Democrats vote no January 8, 1867 Republicans override Democrat President Andrew Johnson’s veto of law granting voting rights to African-Americans in D.C. July 19, 1867 Republican Congress overrides Democrat President Andrew Johnson’s veto of legislation protecting voting rights of African-Americans March 30, 1868 Republicans begin impeachment trial of Democrat President Andrew Johnson, who declared: “This is a country for white men, and by God, as long as I am President, it shall be a government of white men” September 12, 1868 Civil rights activist Tunis Campbell and 24 other African-Americans in Georgia Senate, every one a Republican, expelled by Democrat majority; would later be reinstated by Republican Congress October 7, 1868 Republicans denounce Democratic Party’s national campaign theme: “This is a white man’s country: Let white men rule” October 22, 1868 While campaigning for re-election, Republican U.S. Rep. James Hinds (R-AR) is assassinated by Democrat terrorists who organized as the Ku Klux Klan December 10, 1869 Republican Gov. John Campbell of Wyoming Territory signs FIRST-in-nation law granting women right to vote and to hold public office February 3, 1870 After passing House with 98% Republican support and 97% Democrat opposition, Republicans’ 15th Amendment is ratified, granting vote to all Americans regardless of race May 31, 1870 President U.S. Grant signs Republicans’ Enforcement Act, providing stiff penalties for depriving any American’s civil rights June 22, 1870 Republican Congress creates U.S. Department of Justice, to safeguard the civil rights of African-Americans against Democrats in the South September 6, 1870 Women vote in Wyoming, in FIRST election after women’s suffrage signed into law by Republican Gov. John Campbell February 28, 1871 Republican Congress passes Enforcement Act providing federal protection for African-American voters April 20, 1871 Republican Congress enacts the Ku Klux Klan Act, outlawing Democratic Party-affiliated terrorist groups which oppressed African-American

[@lharrill7229]

@Leo Peridot -- October 10, 1871 Following warnings by Philadelphia Democrats against black voting, African-American Republican civil rights activist Octavius Catto murdered by Democratic Party operative; his military funeral was attended by thousands October 18, 1871 After violence against Republicans in South Carolina, President Ulysses Grant deploys U.S. troops to combat Democrat terrorists who formed the Ku Klux Klan November 18, 1872 Susan B. Anthony arrested for voting, after boasting to Elizabeth Cady Stanton that she voted for “the Republican ticket, straight” January 17, 1874 Armed Democrats seize Texas state government, ending Republican efforts to racially integrate government September 14, 1874 Democrat white supremacists seize Louisiana statehouse in attempt to overthrow racially-integrated administration of Republican Governor William Kellogg; 27 killed March 1, 1875 Civil Rights Act of 1875, guaranteeing access to public accommodations without regard to race, signed by Republican President U.S. Grant; passed with 92% Republican support over 100% Democrat opposition January 10, 1878 U.S. Senator Aaron Sargent (R-CA) introduces Susan B. Anthony amendment for women’s suffrage; Democrat-controlled Senate defeated it 4 times before election of Republican House and Senate guaranteed its approval in 1919. Republicans foil Democratic efforts to keep women in the kitchen, where they belong February 8, 1894 Democrat Congress and Democrat President Grover Cleveland join to repeal Republicans’ Enforcement Act, which had enabled African-Americans to vote January 15, 1901 Republican Booker T. Washington protests Alabama Democratic Party’s refusal to permit voting by African-Americans May 29, 1902 Virginia Democrats implement new state constitution, condemned by Republicans as illegal, reducing African-American voter registration by 86% February 12, 1909 On 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, African-American Republicans and women’s suffragists Ida Wells and Mary Terrell co-found the NAACP May 21, 1919 Republican House passes constitutional amendment granting women the vote with 85% of Republicans in favor, but only 54% of Democrats; in Senate, 80% of Republicans would vote yes, but almost half of Democrats no August 18, 1920 Republican-authored 19th Amendment, giving women the vote, becomes part of Constitution; 26 of the 36 states to ratify had Republican-controlled legislatures January 26, 1922 House passes bill authored by U.S. Rep. Leonidas Dyer (R-MO) making lynching a federal crime; Senate Democrats block it with filibuster June 2, 1924 Republican President Calvin Coolidge signs bill passed by Republican Congress granting U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans October 3, 1924 Republicans denounce three-time Democrat presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan for defending the Ku Klux Klan at 1924 Democratic National Convention June 12, 1929 First Lady Lou Hoover invites wife of U.S. Rep. Oscar De Priest (R-IL), an African-American, to tea at the White House, sparking protests by Democrats across the country August 17, 1937 Republicans organize opposition to former Ku Klux Klansman and Democrat U.S. Senator Hugo Black, appointed to U.S. Supreme Court by FDR; his Klan background was hidden until after confirmation June 24, 1940 Republican Party platform calls for integration of the armed forces; for the balance of his terms in office, FDR refuses to order it

[@lharrill7229]

@Leo Peridot -- August 8, 1945 Republicans condemn Harry Truman’s surprise use of the atomic bomb in Japan. The whining and criticism goes on for years. It begins two days after the Hiroshima bombing, when former Republican President Herbert Hoover writes to a friend that “The use of the atomic bomb, with its indiscriminate killing of women and children, revolts my soul.” September 30, 1953 Earl Warren, California’s three-term Republican Governor and 1948 Republican vice presidential nominee, nominated to be Chief Justice; wrote landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education November 25, 1955 Eisenhower administration bans racial segregation of interstate bus travel March 12, 1956 Ninety-seven Democrats in Congress condemn Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education, and pledge to continue segregation June 5, 1956 Republican federal judge Frank Johnson rules in favor of Rosa Parks in decision striking down “blacks in the back of the bus” law November 6, 1956 African-American civil rights leaders Martin Luther King and Ralph Abernathy vote for Republican Dwight Eisenhower for President September 9, 1957 President Dwight Eisenhower signs Republican Party’s 1957 Civil Rights Act September 24, 1957 Sparking criticism from Democrats such as Senators John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, President Dwight Eisenhower deploys the 82nd Airborne Division to Little Rock, AR to force Democrat Governor Orval Faubus to integrate public schools May 6, 1960 President Dwight Eisenhower signs Republicans’ Civil Rights Act of 1960, overcoming 125-hour, around-the-clock filibuster by 18 Senate Democrats May 2, 1963 Republicans condemn Democrat sheriff of Birmingham, AL for arresting over 2,000 African-American schoolchildren marching for their civil rights September 29, 1963 Gov. George Wallace (D-AL) defies order by U.S. District Judge Frank Johnson, appointed by President Dwight Eisenhower, to integrate Tuskegee High School June 9, 1964 Republicans condemn 14-hour filibuster against 1964 Civil Rights Act by U.S. Senator and former Ku Klux Klansman Robert Byrd (D-WV), who still serves in the Senate June 10, 1964 Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen (R-IL) criticizes Democrat filibuster against 1964 Civil Rights Act, calls on Democrats to stop opposing racial equality. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was introduced and approved by a staggering majority of Republicans in the Senate. The Act was opposed by most southern Democrat senators, several of whom were proud segregationists-one of them being Al Gore Sr. Democrat President Lyndon B. Johnson relied on Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen, the Republican leader from Illinois, to get the Act passed. August 4, 1965 Senate Republican Leader Everett Dirksen (R-IL) overcomes Democrat attempts to block 1965 Voting Rights Act; 94% of Senate Republicans vote for landmark civil right legislation, while 27% of Democrats oppose. Voting Rights Act of 1965, abolishing literacy tests and other measures devised by Democrats to prevent African-Americans from voting, signed into law; higher percentage of Republicans than Democrats vote in favor February 19, 1976 President Gerald Ford formally rescinds President Franklin Roosevelt’s notorious Executive Order authorizing internment of over 120,000 Japanese-Americans during WWII September 15, 1981 President Ronald Reagan establishes the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to increase African-American participation in federal education programs June 29, 1982 President Ronald Reagan signs 25-year extension of 1965 Voting Rights Act August 10, 1988 President Ronald Reagan signs Civil Liberties Act of 1988, compensating Japanese-Americans for deprivation of civil rights and property during World War II internment ordered by FDR November 21, 1991 President George H. W. Bush signs Civil Rights Act of 1991 to strengthen federal civil rights legislation August 20, 1996 Bill authored by U.S. Rep. Susan Molinari (R-NY) to prohibit racial discrimination in adoptions, part of Republicans’ Contract With America, becomes law.

[@zillaf1840]

Hi Mr Schneider, tree research I have done finds that the South was tired of how the North treated them as ignorant, uneducated and was not fair with commerce. If I feel that the flag represents my heritage (which I do) then why should that be taken from me? I find the black panthers offensive I find black lives matter (instead of all lives matter) offensive. I accept though that others do not feel the same way I do. Does being offended give me the right to demand those things I find offensive to be removed. It's there were free black men who enlisted in the Confederate Army. They fought for their own reasons. Each man made their own decision. The civil war ended 155 years ago. That's not in my lifetime, nor my parents or even my grandparents. You have to go back 4 generations. No one today was a slave or owned a slave. Most of the South was dirt poor and didn't own slaves either. Very few fought this war for slavery. It didn't affect most Americans. I refuse to be held accountable for something I did not do.

[@MalcolmWolf]

I find your deliberate misunderstanding of "black lives matter" ridiculous, nowhere in that line did it suggest that black lives are the only ones that matter. Blacks are merely suggesting their lives matter just as much as white people, and they should not be killed on a whim by cops. Your attempt to distract from that, and deliberately twist what they mean shows how much of an agenda you have. I bet you twisted taking the knee into an insult to the flag, to again distract from the fact that it was about showing respect towards black people gunned down by cops.

[@zillaf1840]

@Leo Peridot ok. Love your response. Makes you look like a fool

[@zillaf1840]

@@MalcolmWolf I'll assume you're not talking you me

[@MalcolmWolf]

@@zillaf1840 I'll assume you are just too stupid to understand the point I am making, and the fact I was directly addressing a comment you made. Unfortunately, racists tend to not be very bright, certainly when they try so hard to be willfully ignorant.

[@dianer1529]

@@MalcolmWolf, have you visited the Black Lives Matter webpage and read the "What We Believe" section? Please, do so if you haven't, and please read the entire thing.

[@CelticArmory]

Short Answer to your wonderful question: YES, they did. And deserve all the respect and honor due any soldier who serves this nation.

[@iaingraham7586]

Except, they weren't soldiers fighting for the United States. They were fighting to create a new country from the Southern States that joined the Confederacy. That was the Confederacy's War Aim. That new country would have been dedicated to legal slavery in its borders. The North's Army were called "Union Troops" because they were loyal to the United States. . Not all of them were abolitionists, but they fought against Southern Independence from the United States. Black enlistment was controversial in the Confederacy, and only done in the dying days of the War. Those slaves allowed to enlist were promised personal freedom after the War. The Confederacy itself was dedicated to legal slavery in her borders, and any territory she annexed.

[@White-Head]

And this is a Northerner educating us . Go John!!! Thanks for your insight

[@marctompkins3001]

John, I have done my homework, years ago. The facts can be googled so I never made short cut links, I just wrote down and printed a hard copy. Going back to our Constitution as our foundation I looked up the following information. 13th Amendment: to abolishing slavery. Republican vote was 100%. Democratic vote was 23% 14th Amendment: giving citizenship to Freed slaves: Republican vote was 94%. Democratic 0% 15th Amendment: the right for all to vote: Republican vote was 100%. Democratic 0%. For me it wasn’t the north against the south. It wasn’t confederate against the Yankees. It wasn’t the blue uniform against the gray uniform. For me is was and always will be Republican against the Democratic Party lines. I also have my stats on the abortion issue. I’ll leave that alone for another day. I’m not bashing anyone I’m just trying to relay information on my standings. Everyone is entitled to there own opinion (s) but as a God fearing man, I do my best to be a living example of talking the talk and walking the walk according to the Bible and my understanding of scriptures.

[@RonFromFla]

The 13th Amendment was ratified in 1865, the 14th was ratified in 1868, and the 15th was ratified in 1869. During the 1860's, the Northern states were dominated by Republicans and the Southern states were dominated by Democrats. At the turn of the 20th century, there began debates over the size of government and the limits of federal power. Over the next 30-40 years, the Democrats and Republicans essentially switched sides. Today's Republicans were the Democrats during the 1860s, and vice versa. You need to do a little more homework besides looking up dates. www.livescience.com/34241-democratic-republican-parties-switch-platforms.html

[@marctompkins3001]

Ron Sweatman I went to your article link that you provided. The issues that they switched on although true, but it’s not the meat and potatoes of the racialist issue before us in our community a cross our nation today. As John stated in his commentary, when, What, where, why and who. Our family has split over conservatism verses liberalism. It’s sad that family members put political agendas over blood. I completely accepted their views, even though I didn’t believe and or agree with their views. But they couldn’t give me the same respect, that I gave them. It was their way or the highway. The left today are the most intolerant creature on this planet when it comes to the subject of being tolerant. I’m about John’s age. Our culture was much different then. In my day a mans hand shake was as good as a contract. Today even in a written contract, you can still be screwed over in a court of law. Now I will say this....... I might have interpreted John’s commentary differently from you. He chose his wording very carefully because of the sensitivity of the issue that our country is going through. I was keeping in my mind my comment that might have sparked this whole issue that he per posed to us a week or so later, from the week before. I may have busted open Pandora’s box, and that was not my original intention. But we are here. I openly gave and provided much more information to you, and I have nothing of your time period, where you were raised, your beliefs in God, or the lack of. I’m not criticizing you in any way, I just spit out my personal studies on the matter, and that’s how I live my life. I’m not a plastic cowboy. I am what I am.

[@marctompkins3001]

D A Of course you have just proven everything that I had already said.

[@sharoncalay3869]

People who think the Dukes of Hazzard is a racist show they have probably never seen the show I learned a lot watching this show

[@JoeLink56]

It’s NOT RACIST

[@shirleydenton4747]

I have been researching after finding out through genealogy my 2x gr grandfather enlisted in the Confederate army, and his brother enlisted in the Union. I read many articles without feeling a need to keep up with sources. I was doing this to sort it out in my own min. As a resident of West Virginia where the mountainous terrain did not lend itself to the plantation life or need for slaves I was very driven to learn more about why our country was so divided. More than anything, I see how history is twisted and manipulated in today’s society. Made me think, “What if I thought I knew why we fought was wrong.” I learned Abraham Lincoln was a Republican.” What? I read enough to find that Virginia had ,in fact, tried to stop further slave trade in colonial times, but the crown stopped them. If they twisted history then as they do now, I needed to read and study history which I did. Many members of both the Confederate and the Union army had only a vague idea of why they were fighting. States rights were a big issue , as the Northern States were becoming quite busy with overriding the rights of the Southern states. Finally I decided to read “THE Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government” by Jefferson Davis. I found him to be very articulate and he believed as deeply in the cause of State’s rights as Lincoln seemed bent on not dissolving the Union. It was to become more advantageous to verbalize it as a war on slavery, because it is always unpopular to be a bully over an underdog. Chapter X in the book spells it out very nicely, as to why Jefferson Davis felt they were fighting “The War of the Rebellion.” As it is today, there is controversy over everything, and nobody willing to look at the strengths of both sides. Abraham Lincoln was a great Republican fighting for a cause he deeply believed in. Jefferson Davis was not an advocate of slavery as he has been painted, but he deeply believed the Federal government was infringing on the rights of the states. Now I need to look at it from another perspective, as to why Afro Americans would volunteer to fight for the Confederacy. I know they did, but I need to learn why. Thank you, John, for making me think instead of listen to bozos give the news the way they want us to see it.

[@will2003michael2003]

Thanks for the comment, well written. From what I I have read, it seems they were concerned with states rights, the rights of a state to be a slave state or a free state. They also were clearly not happy about the outcome of the elections and possibly fear the growing power of the abolitionist republicans. Interesting points you have made

[@cawthorne6992]

I am also reading it was more about state taxes. And how to handle the governing of the New wild West territories. South wanted small government, and that the individual states made the laws and handles all taxes. So No Federal Taxes at all. More of a "Thomas Jefferson" stile of governing. Like how the country all started. The North wanted big government controlling everything, which is what we ended up with today that is destroying everything. ** Thomas Jefferson also helped dissolve the first Central banking system and warned us never to allow it again.! But they snuck back in with IRS and so called "Federal Reserve" that is not federal at all. It's private owned banks. (Not good) Quotation: "If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their Fathers conquered.... I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.... The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs." --Thomas Jefferson Here you go, "The Creature from Jekyll Island" here is a video of the guy that wrote that book, that explains it all, he explains it in this video here... It's absolutely nuts that crooked elitist got away with duping people into letting them create a IRS, and a so called "federal reserve", that has nothing to do with our government at all... It's all owned by private banks.!! It's time we Stop Central banking again.!

[@shirleydenton4747]

@@cawthorne6992 Yes, when I steer clear of the newer authors and delve into reading all I can from what was written around that time, I get a completely different idea of how important state's rights were, taxation unfair at times, lots of bullying. South wanted states' rights because they feared the very thing we are enduring now, Slavery was one of the worst things ever committed, because I believe deeply in equality for everybody including the rich and poor. But, most slave trade was done by the north and with northern ships, so everybody was guilty of this inhumanity. It is like in our country today when the Feds ride herd over the states.

[@iaingraham7586]

All soldiers in the Confederate Army fought to create an independent country (once the Civil War began) in which slavery would be legal and expand in its borders. Had they won; Southerners in those states would not be citizens of the United States, they would be citizens of a separate pro-slavery country. Davis never got diplomatic recognition from Britain and France partly because of widespread hostility to slavery in their populations. The Confederates always demanded the removal of the Emancipation Proclamation as a condition for an armistice and a negotiated settlement. Black slaves allowed to serve in the Confederate Army (which was a desperate and internally controversial move by the Confederacy near War's end) did so with a master's permission , and the promise of individual freedom after the War's end. At that point, they would be free either way. (The Lincoln Administration having committed to abolition by then) West Virginia was a loyalist area of Virginia during the Civil War. It wasn't part of the Confederacy; although undoubtedly it had pro-Confederates living there. Yes, Lincoln was the first Republican President. He ran in 1860 on a platform of using the Federal government to prevent slavery's Westward expansion. (Something all states that eventually joined the Confederacy opposed) The Republicans were not uniformly opposed to slavery in general. Davis certainly favoured the creation of a separate pro-slavery country , his personal views on the subject are not relevant for that reason.

[@iaingraham7586]

Yes, even as a Canadian ; I did know Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican President of the United States. (Republican Party as founded in the mid nineteenth century)

[@chibs1963]

I don't think "The Dukes of Hazzard" has to do with Southern racism any more than "Hogan's Heroes" has to do with Nazi ideology, however, when Ben Jones (Cooter) speaks of southern heritage and the historical symbolism of the rebel flag, well, now we're not talking about light entertainment anymore, but white perceptions of southern history and politics and it is no longer a discussion of a TV show, but the power of the emblems contained in it.

[@cathyevans6194]

You speak the truth about the events of Hazzard

[@cathyevans6194]

[@lunarmist428]

@VIII Mausit's been made into an ideology,,,an excuse to invade the south & keep a stigma going to benefit the dividers......

[@richardc7721]

I'm betting you were not raised in the South, or know anyone personally that was. The South has a rich and varied history that includes black people who are proud of Their Southern heritage too. Only a very small percentage of white Southerns every owned a slave of any color. Not every black Southern was a slave either. Right now Southern born and raised people of color can be found on the internet that are well versed in the Civil War that are defenders of that history. One is a man I'm guessing is in his 70s who gives talks on the history surrounding the Civil War and proudly wears the uniform a family member wore from the Civil War. Look him up and listen to what he knows. You have been taught a very simplistic one-sided view of what passes as history. Dig deeper, there is much to learn.

[@chibs1963]

Richard C. Nope. I lived in the south and have family there. There is no pride to be had in defense of a war that was fought to maintain an economy of enslavement. Keep your patronizing speech to yourself, thank you.

[@williamc.1198]

When I was in the State Guard, we had a guest speaker at a drill several years ago. A gentleman who held a PHD in history and had done extensive research on the Southern army, especially Texas units. He had many examples of free blacks who chose to fight on the Southern side. This caused not a slight amount of discomfort for several black soldiers in our unit. By the way, the guest speaker was black. Made for some interesting discussions at chow.

[@alexanderk7422]

Question: Even if this entire statement is 100% accurate, and (I'll go even farther and say even if the entire Confederate military was Black) how does it relate to, or in anyway invalidate, the issue of scores of African Americans being offended by Confederate symbols of people who were fighting, in part, to keep me and my loved ones enslaved? :-/ I also question whether these alleged Black people knew exactly why they fought... I am an Active US Army combat vet... National Guard vet... African American (AAS;BA;JD)... a history enthusiast, an DoD investigator by trade and I've never heard anything substantial about free Black Confederate military members beyond obvious lies and doctored photos. I am not say Black people did not support the Confederates in some capacity but the truth seems to be far from there having been any large number of enlisted free Black men and women as part of any Confederate direct combat element. I assume the you being an ex-Guardsman would know that people in America often get involved in wars based on misinformation and deception. Vietnam, Attacks on Cuba; Afghanistan (where I am at this very moment); WWI; the invasion of Kuwait; the Iraq war; recent killing of Iranian general... all based on highly questionable information and politically motivated.

[@et76039]

@@alexanderk7422 , found a Wikipedia article that addresses your concerns. Since this Confederate unit was a volunteer regiment, it supplied its own guns and uniforms. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Louisiana_Native_Guard_(CSA)

[@alexanderk7422]

@@et76039 Good stuff... Im not an advocate of using wikipedia for research but Ill take it. That looks like some of the information I already came across... some clearly doctored photos I mentioned in a different comment were supposed to be a Black Guard Unit from Louisiana in 1861. I still question the true nature of these units and doubt there was any significant number of free black men/women willingly fighted in the Confederate Military (infantry) during the civil war. I am 100% sure black people supported in some capacity but whether or not that was of their free will is highly debatable and impossible to answer. Ultimately, I question the significance of trying to prove Black people may have freely fought on the Confederate side... what is the implication? There are certainly Republican and even Black republicans who are generally decent people but do not support reform movements which materialize in the African American community. So of whom completely deny the existence of things like police brutality, racial discrimination of any ilk and argue against any progress of Black people in general much like Candace Owens... she doesn't stand alone but there also aren't many Black American who agree with her. That is not a new phenomena... some complacent individuals will champion the cause of oppressing their own family if they are able to be comfortable. The wikipedia page and references are very thin in substance but Thanks for sharing nonetheless.

[@alexanderk7422]

@@et76039 Also... the 1st Louisiana seems to have been a Black National Guard element (State Militia) that was disbanded within a year of the start of the Civil war (1862). Photos I have seen of this organization claimed to be from 1861. The article also suggests many, if not all, of the members of that unit actually went to fight for the Union. Interesting and I have no idea is any of this is accurate. But the wikipedia article doesn't exactly support the narrative that free black men/women fought in the Confederate Military during the American Civil war... In fact, the wikipedia article suggests that, while Black people did belong to southern state militias, which technically fell under the Confederate flag, it is unlikely they were active members or free supporters of the Confederate military during the American civil war. So, back to the original question... why would free Black men/women join the Confederate Military? my response is... Technically, they seem not to have done any such thing. I have served in the active military and state guard. Both are military organization but one (the Guard) is part time and primarily supports the home state. My guess is that this Black militia was disbanded around the same time the Confederate forces started activating state militias into the fold of the Confederate Army. Seems like there was at least one Black "Confederate" militia that may have went to fight for the Union during the Civil war.

[@1Wade9]

@@alexanderk7422 I'm no expert on history, but in reading your comments it would seem that you're assuming that while Southern soldiers were fighting out of the callousness of their hearts to keep slavery alive, the North fought from of the goodness of their hearts to defeat it. Would hundreds of thousands, northern boys circa 2020 die today for BLM? If no, why would they have done this in 1860 for slaves? Wealthier families often managed to keep their children out of harm's way both then and now. Look up the historian "Charles Beard" on Bing or DuckDuckGo (not Google). He was the leading *progressive* historian in America up until 1949. He and a large continent of mainstream US Historians --all primarily progressive Northern and decidedly not Southern apologists-- doggedly maintained that the motivations for both the North and South were economic in nature with slavery being of secondary importance. This view began to change only after his death in 1949, especially in the 1960's, when the new right and "New Left" academics worked to purge this view from US History. Not only are the causes of historical episodes like the war much more complicated than "Good versus Evil", but our latter interpretations are also treated as "up for grabs" by various political interests (see George Orwell)... This is one reason the confederate flag is still venerated by many: 1) It's a symbol of a people (both good and bad) 2) It's an important part of our memory of the past (both good and bad) 3) it's a symbol of noble struggle for many (and given the fact that only a very small percentage of Southerners owned slaves, the struggle was indeed noble for many who participated - they were not fighting to defend an institution they were participating in) 4) it's a fun symbol of rebellion for many youth. Given what's happening these days with the WHO and proposed crackdowns on our freedoms we could use a little rebellious sentiment right now.

[@michaellyon8337]

Save our Confederate Flag!!!! Save our American history!!!!

[@aaronb7631]

Save America! Abolish the DemocRAT party!

[@jimcarter6676]

No one is wanting to obliterate the confederate flag from history. They just don't want it to be glorified because of what it represents.

[@aaronb7631]

@@jimcarter6676 So, no one wants a flag that represents heritage? Hmm....interesting!

[@iaingraham7586]

@@aaronb7631 It's the battle emblem of those that fought to create a separate country from the United States and failed.

[@aaronb7631]

@@iaingraham7586 Battle emblem?!? Are you on drugs? That's by far the stupidest lie I've ever heard! You are drunk on ignorance! Your mommy needs to change your diaper, since it's full of crap!

[@ralphveasey7274]

My family has been fighting for this country since it's founding. I'm eligible to join The Sons of the Revolution, Sons of the Union and Sons of Confederate Veterans. My great grandfather served in WWI, my grandfather ( and his brothers)served in WWII, I have 2 uncles who served in Korea and 1 uncle and several cousins who served in Vietnam. I was stationed in Germany during the Gulf war. My family is as diverse as our country, we argue politics, we have different viewpoints, but we all love America and are ready to defend her.

[@davidturcotte5677]

Thank you, for your family's defense of our nation, from the beginning, to our somewhat wayward present! May God be good to you, and yours!

[@iaingraham7586]

The Confederates were fighting to take the South out of the United States . (once the War began) They considered it a hostile foreign power .Your relatives in later and earlier wars served the United States. The Confederates fought to leave her, once the Civil War began. The confederates were separatists in that conflict.

[@deborahl.goforth3295]

Like you, me and my family have been involved in America's freedom from the beginning. My ancestors came in 1610 and 1618 and every generation has served. From the French and Indian War and all the way to Vietnam, and while I served during what little peace time we've had, we've all been proud to serve and will continue to do so. We served from Desert Storm to Enduring Freedom (my son), this country and our Constitution are worth fighting for and dying for. We will defend this country, this Constitution, against all enemies both foreign and DOMESTIC with our very lives.

[@liverightlivehonest5309]

I love the Dukes of Hazzard . We use to play “ dukes of hazard “ that meant spinning Out on go carts kicking up dust .

[@mikedobson2988]

Thanks John. I live in Virginia and was actually taught about the Civil War in school. The good the bad and the ugly. It's still a part of history that helped make the nation. Yes black soldiers did fight for the Confederacy.

[@iaingraham7586]

What would your point be? The fact that blacks were in the Confederate Army (allowed as part of a desperate and then controversial move in the Confederacy to avoid defeat) doesn't alter the fact that every Confederate soldier fought to take the South out of the United States, and make it part of a separate country dedicated to legal slavery in its borders. Apartheid South Africa had blacks in its security forces, civil service; and obviously had black tribal leadership structures. None of those facts mean that State was not racist in nature. The Vichy French were still considered to have been collaborators with Nazi Germany by History.

[@blue22314]

John, keep on keeping on with what your doing. your still a model to follow for all young men out there.

[@karenbrown1311]

My grandfather was born in 1855 and was a drummer with Braxton Bragg's unit. He wrote down in his memoirs about serving with the confederate army as well as his opinions about slavery and how that had changed his life after the war. I am sorry that I have no links to that memoir, just a handwritten paper copy that we are planning on making that digital for preservation. My grandfather said that he was shocked at seeing FREE black men in the Confederate Army. He was able to talk with a few of them to ask them why they would serve in the Confederate Army. For the first man he talked to, this was the reply he received: "There were few plantations to work on, most had been burned down or trashed by union soldiers. A confederate officer had told him that he would receive freedom and citizenship (my grandfather is relaying a message and was not African American, just a poor boy from Louisiana) as would all of his family". The second black soldier told my grandfather that serving with the Confederacy meant that he had work to do and a place to stay, so he worked as a teamster, or cook or blacksmith. My grandfather (Orelouis Callegion) after the civil war, started a plantation in Morganza, Louisiana. Don't get excited, plantations are just farms. Grandpa after seeing the death and destruction of the soldiers on both sides decided that any black persons could have a job on his farm with a cabin to live in (provided the lumber), a share of the crops at harvest and also to live off of, free medical help (yes, my grandmother). At the end of the civil war, no one wanted to hire blacks or poor white men. Remember carpet baggers? But my grandfather was building a legacy and as he said "A black man's blood is just as red as mine and if God can't see a difference, why should I." I have opinions about the Civil War and everything that goes with it, but as John said, my opinions are my own and "you" should formulate your own. Now I did find 2 links, not associated with the previous and I hope that these 2 sites will assist you with any questions you might have. But in John's question, YES there were many free black men who served with the Confederate Army and for many suprising reasons. Please check out: BlBlack Confederates: Truth and Legend | American Battlefield Trust (battlefields.org)ack ; Civil War Soldiers - Facts, Death Toll & Enlistment - HISTORY

[@TheGeneral2209]

When was slavery I would say legal...2020...or decades ago...was it you and me that owned slaves?? No that happened decades ago ...this is now that is history

[@sinformant]

A good question is are not most people slaves today regardless of race?

[@crosisofborg5524]

Decades ago? Are you commenting from 1890?

[@tcmusic6429]

Crosis of Borg clearly he doesn’t understand the concept of time 😂

[@Oasia1996]

History is a story that today’s people tell about the past. It is constantly in flux. That’s why all Americans need to tell our stories to represent all of us. Dukes is a landmark show about family, honor, and common goodness. You and Tom created iconic characters that made southerners more than Beverly Hillbillies or clansmen. As a Texan who grew up watching Dukes, you gave a positive spin to southern identity that many of us still cherish into our middle age. The fact you and Tom are not...ahem...born southerners speaks to your legacy as an actor. Forty years later you still hold a place in the hearts of many. Keep speaking your mind and giving insight into one of the most influential tv shows of all time. I shared the Dukes DVDs with my son. He loved the show. Sorry to tell you that Boss Hogg is his favorite character. RIP Sorrell Booke. But take comfort that the legend of the Duke boys has been passed to the next generation. After all you were just “straightenin’ the curves, never meanin’ no harm.” Keep posting videos and speaking your mind. By the way, why are you not a billionaire by selling “authentic” Bo’s General Lees at Maserati prices? Let us know how much those babies go for.

[@russelnelson4151]

History is written by the winners.

[@billbelzek6748]

Boss Hogg might've been the most memorable character from that show but I was in 5th grade when "Dukes of Hazzard" was the #1 show on TV and every blond boy at my school imitated Bo Luke like he was a superhero

[@rb032682]

Yeah, "southern identity" with a terrorist flag on top.

[@HorseTongue]

RB I loved the show too. Never really realized what the flag meant because I was in kindergarten at the time. That’s how indoctrination works and very few of get the opportunity to break through it in life. I’m glad that I got to examine my own ideas and internal structures and reject thinking like the belief that my kids should be indoctrinated into this cult.

[@robertdyer2442]

Yes there free black men in the Confederate army there were also black men whom owned slaves, also irish people were slaves as well then look at the oriental with the railroads. The only reason for the war was due too the south was economically richer and the split or divide was due to tariffs

[@edhuhtala8457]

Wow, that’s an incredible comment, now I’m going to go look it up, thanks!

[@doniphan72ify]

The NORTH was economically richer and was taxing the south into utter Oblivion

[@hawkeye6168]

You forgot to add, that the south attacked Fort Sumter a U.S. Fort.

[@apsert]

Once people realize the truth America will be glad to see the back of FED reminders. If you really honestly want to know the truth of who is behind the enslavement (British Crown) of every american and when it came about and how (Birth certificate Bonds) You can find out here MILITARY INSIDER kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX7cZ4mIq8SmhbM

[@muchgreatness7497]

In other words, it always comes down to money.

[@williamrentiers3163]

I had to ask myself this question back around the year 2000. I had my preconceived notions, mostly due to things I was taught in public school. When I found out that I had been lied to about this period of history by my teachers, I was angry. Upset. Hurt. I read a book called "The South Was Right" by Ron & Don Kennedy. Lots of facts. LOTS of footnotes & bibliography citing proven data, some of it from the National Archives. Ever since then, I've tried to read everything I could, and question everything I had been taught about wars like the WTBS, WW1, WW2, Korea, Viet Nam, Gulf War, etc. I'm now 58 and I fully defend the CSA's just reasons for deciding to leave the USA. There were not just "a couple" of freedmen who fought for the CSA. There were whole units, such as the Louisiana Native Guard. Lincoln ordered the war not because he cared one bit about the black community or ending slavery. He wanted the power, money, & control that he would lose if he allowed the CSA to leave peacefully. This is why Lincoln offered to make slavery permanent if the South remained in the Union, why he created Liberia, why a number of Northern states were slave states until after the war ended, and why the Emancipation Proclamation only declared freedom for the slaves owned by "the other guys" but not ONE was freed that was owned in a Northern state. Hardly anyone I know has ever actually READ the full text of the Emancipation Proclamation, but once you do read it - all of it, you will forever have a different opinion of Lincoln's motives. A young man recently said to me "If only slavery had ended before 1860 there would have been no war." But this is completely false. That may be the excuse used today, but it would not have stopped Lincoln from invading the South, and ordering war crimes committed against men, women & children until they return under his control.

[@a-nannymouse6742]

Nope. The CSA never permitted Blacks to carry weapons. This is very old and very false propaganda from Southern/slavery apologists. Also, relying on "Lincoln/North was also bad" is not a fruitful tactic. No reasonable person claims that the North or Lincoln were angelic entities, for the same reason that it's absurd to claim that Southerners were somehow more corrupt or inhumane than Northerners. All of that misses the point entirely, which is that slavery was a massive economic engine for the South. Had you swapped Northerners for Southerners, the behaviors wouldn't have changed. People sitting on massive sources of wealth are loathe to give them up, so why not be honest and admit the glaring reality that the Civil War was about slavery, as stated repeatedly (ad nauseum) by the very authors of secession documents.

[@williamrentiers3163]

@@a-nannymouse6742 The truth is, if you took away all of the slaves from the entire continent - if they mysteriously VANISHED, ran away, went back to Africa, (pick your scenario) that war would still have taken place, because the North would not have stopped its reign of tyrannical legislation against the South, and the South would still have seceded, and Lincoln would still have initiated a brutal and unconstitutional war to subjugate the South, because he knew his level of power and two thirds of the U.S. Treasury depended heavily on keeping the South under the Northern thumb. You can repeat the false tropes you've been conditioned your whole life to believe. That is fine with me. You have that right. But factual historic records in the National Archives conflict with your fairy tale.

[@a-nannymouse6742]

​@@williamrentiers3163 Can you point me to evidence supporting your claim that the War wasn't about slavery? I get that you _feel_ that's true, but how do you _know_ its true? Go to the website for the non-partisan American Civil War Museum (acwm.org/), where you can read for yourself the secession declarations from _every_ state, and you'll see that they _all_ declared slavery as the cause. Confederate veterans, decades later, were under no illusions about the South's motivation. Here's a bit from the ACWM: _In 1894, legendary Confederate partisan leader, Col. John S. Mosby expressed surprise at a recent speech in which the orator dismissed “the charge that the South went to war for slavery” as a “‘slanderous accusation.’” “I always understood that we went to War on account of the thing we quarreled with the North about,” Mosby observed. “I never heard of any other cause of quarrel than slavery.”_ He "never heard of any other cause of quarrel than slavery." Why would Col. Mosby and the secession declaration writers say that slavery was the only real cause if--in your words--it was really about "tyrannical legislation" somehow unrelated to slavery. Wouldn't they have mentioned that? Claiming that the Civil War wasn't about slavery is like saying that WWII wasn't about fighting imperialist Axis powers, or that the Revolutionary War was really about tea, or that WWI was driven by an interest in digging trenches. It's bending over backwards to avoid acknowledging reality and history. I get why some/many Southerners are desperate to paint the North as the baddies and to pretend that slavery A) wasn't that bad, and B) wasn't the cause of the War. It's humiliating to admit that your ancestors started a war to protect one of the ugliest and most horrifying of criminal industries. But isn't it healthier to honest reckon with the past, rather than keeping one's head in the sand?

[@a-nannymouse6742]

Also, regarding _The South Was Right!,_ it's not a book of serious or honest historical research. It's just bog-standard and reactionary right-wing propaganda. The authors aren't historians, and they make painfully clear that their goal is to convince Southerners that the South can truly rise again and secede. Literally. Here's an actual quote: "The authors demonstrate that the South had legitimate reasons to assert its claim to independence. We demonstrate the legitimacy of the South’s claim of our right to recall our delegated powers and to establish a new government based upon the principle of the consent of the governed." That's from the _preface._ The _preface!_ Note the heavy use of "our" and present tense. You likely already know this, but when a book about history declares its hope that sympathetic readers will rise up and secede, it's not history. It's a political tract, and a pretty clumsy one at that. They have a clear political agenda, and they aren't interested in an even-handed and honest assessment of history. Anyone can cherry-pick their way through historical documents and select the parts that support their argument while ignoring those that don't (e.g., oh look, we found an interview with an enslaved person who claimed to be grateful for their treatment...that must mean that all enslaved people were grateful). That's what propaganda thrives on. If they were honest historians, they'd have presented evidence from all sides and let readers decide. But they're mere propagandists and so dishonest that they can't admit the most glaring of historical realities, that slavery was the South's reason for war (which, again, Southern states all openly declared when seceding). What you're describing is a right-wing fantasy. Not reality.

[@williamrentiers3163]

@@a-nannymouse6742 I'm glad to see that you are actually seeking knowledge, instead of just making empty claims as so many others constantly will do, so I will provide it. Read a book called "The South Was Right" by Ronald & Donald Kennedy. It contains mountains of documented evidence and detailed bibliography of sources. Another good read would be "Truths of History" by Mildred Lewis Rutherford. Since "slavery" as well as onerous taxation both would fall under the catch-all umbrella of States' Rights, it cannot be said that "slavery" bore absolutely zero affect on the unlawful & unjust War of Yankee Aggression & Subjugation of the South by the evil Northern forces. An ancillary contribution, certainly, but if I own a purple shirt and you own a purple shirt, it is extremely hollow for me to claim that I have to go to war with you because you are evil to own a purple shirt. Multiple Northern states were slave states throughout the war, as was Abraham Lincoln's own family. The true "sin" (sarcasm) committed by the South was their lawfully leaving the immoral grasp of Northern power. Those other northern slave states were not attacked because they didn't secede. Slavery wasn't outlawed by the USA in ONE single Northern state - only in their neighboring nation (CSA) whom they had zero legal claim over. My assertion is that slavery wasn't the PRIMARY cause, and there are volumes of evidence proving it. The biggest reason the South justifiably left the union was the passage of unjust laws & onerous taxations affecting only Southern commerce aimed at forcing purchase of high-priced Northern goods and outlawing or over-taxing Southern trade with European countries to obtain comparable goods at lower prices. Protectionism. Violation of Free-Market freedoms. States' Rights to engage in commerce without Northern interference. Read up on the Morrill Tariff aka The Tariff of Abominations. Secession was - and IS - a right of every state. Making war against another state is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. Multiple envoys were sent to Washington to sue for peace, but the tyrant dictator would not meet with them. Again, I want to thank you for asking for evidence & seeking to learn the proof rather than reject all attempts and remain ignorant of the facts. Not everyone is as open-minded.

[@TheBrakpan]

John, a very interesting question and very well put. I can't actually explain why a black person would want to fight for the confederacy. I have read a few books about the US civil war which is a vast and complex subject but full of fascinating history. Even as a non-American living in Europe I know the Civil War is the most significant event in US history which still impacts current day America. I especially like your encouragement for people to read, learn history, become informed and all sorts of subjects. I also agree with your comment to form an opinion, be challenged by other people's views but don't force opinions on others. My friends and I don't agree on everything, yet we don't end up falling out or fighting just because we disagree.

[@zenpaganwarrior]

Because Southern plantation owners treated their slaves like on-site employees -- very fairly, and like family, in many cases. The Union states were more harsh and industrial and wanted to usurp upon and exploit the (esp. agricultural) resources of the South, (including their slave population) and Southerners weren't having any of that business.

[@CloneShockTrooper]

History is grey. Nothing is simply black and white. Non upon intended.. or something

[@jogillett8518]

@@CloneShockTrooper 'no pun' I think are the words you were looking for

[@billclifton8400]

@@zenpaganwarrior I think you are right there. Even during revolutionary times some slave owners themselves were torn with the ideals of it. I remember reading words of Thomas Jefferson something to the fact and he could only come to the conclusion another generation would have to deal with it. If owners could suddenly be in a position to free them then where would they go and how would they be better off was the thoughts and many proved to be true after the war. Many unfortunate ones may have had it better but many that were owned by men that thought like Jefferson found themselves struggling for where their next meal came from and trying to feed their family. I've also read where slaves stayed or came back and still worked their former farms as tenants after the war which I think answers John's question. It was the only life they knew, it was the type of work they knew and just like today, just because more or easier money jobs are out their some people continue to farm and unless you ever farmed the land I don't really expect anyone to understand that.

[@teflongoon]

This question is the same as asking: "Did 12 year-old girls ever enter, willfully, gloriously, and nobly, into marriages?"

[@jong7513]

@@PelicansCourtsideClub Tell your daughter to follow her lead then

[@ShelbyvsViper]

TeflonGoon Esq, so in essence you are comparing war and marriage now.. all a deflection of his original question. I read these replies and some of you are pathetic and not worthy of good conversation, or can you actually stay on topic. Sorry Schneider.

[@strings53notlob50]

ShelbyvsViper You must’ve never been married! It is war! LOL!

[@teflongoon]

@@ShelbyvsViper I'm not comparing war and marriage. That should be blatantly obvious to anyone with the capacity to think. I'm referring to the ability to make a free and informed decision.

[@ShelbyvsViper]

@@teflongoon In some countries they can.. so still no comparison. Obviously you need quite a bit more capacity, think world wide. And you were the one that stated "This question is the same" not I. Maybe you should put a little more thought into your question next time. Bye.

[@roberthardy8738]

Absolutely not racist in any way , the general Lee is a icon flag and all

[@HinesEdventures]

I believe the car and the icon or just props for a TV show but in reality yes the confederate flag was flown by people who thought that blacks were 3/5 of a man

[@bextar6365]

If you're not Black and pro USA you are a Racist now !!!!

[@GeorgeStar]

@@bextar6365 If you're a radical right, white supremacist KKK member YOU are a racist

[@billeddy4357]

Robert Hardy - Robert E. Lee owned slaves from 1857-1862. He went to court in Virginia to hold onto ownership when it is likely that they should have been freed upon the 1857 death of their previous owner , his wife`s father . He had them whipped , including the women . He sold slave families off in different directions . During the war , any free blacks he captured were sold back into slavery . Yet , you believe calling your car " The General Lee" is not a problem ???? Why not call it " Chancellor Hitler " or" Comrade Stalin" ? It amounts to the same thing .

[@keithharmon2056]

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Kamala Harris’ ancestor Hamilton Brown owned seven plantations in Jamaica in 1817. He employed more than 200 slaves... Kamala Harris is closer to the lineage of slave planters like Jefferson Davis and John C. Calhoun than she is to the lineage of the 4 million slaves in America on the eve of the Civil War.” -Dinesh D’Souza

[@buzz10850]

he owned, not employed them.

[@keithharmon2056]

@@buzz10850 same difference in that time frame. Only stated the facts. Just showing that blacks owned blacks also. Not just the white man's problem. It was the time. People get over it and move on.

[@nolifeshaq5233]

..THE GOOD OLD BOYZ kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnOYaaGujNh5n5o

[@ralphnunley3039]

Our history should not be erased or forgotten. Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it. Nuff said...

[@billeddy4357]

Ralph Nunley--- Knowing history , and remembering history, are not the same as celebrating individuals with monuments , who fought to tear the country apart . I doubt that there are monuments of Adolph Hitler , Herman Goring , Adolph Eichmann , Heinrich Himmler and other Nazis in Germany , although they are all remembered . No one is going to forget Jefferson Davis , Alexander Stephens , Robert E. Lee, Jubal Early , Braxton Bragg , Henry Benning , Kirby Smith , J.E.B. Stuart, George Pickett and Leonidas Polk . That doesn`t mean that the country who defeated them should honor them . After all , they were LOSERS . Are they supposed to get participation trophies ? I guess the Super Bowl should go to the second best team from now on , is that it ?

[@SRosenberg203]

If you want to learn about history, read a book or go to a museum. The only reason you would need a statue to remember your history, is if you're illiterate.

[@DB1Journeys]

Never in a million years would I have thought that Bo Duke would be still speaking to me in my mid 50's. Thank you John. Your common sense approach is what we need more of.

[@DB1Journeys]

@Leo Peridot Yikes? What startled you?

[@kingnissan9942]

I'm standing up for the Confederate flag

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

You are standing up for the flag of traitorous losers.

[@duncanshaw1256]

@@BigBadJerryRogers No he standing against the atrocities used in the Confederate Flag's name.

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

@@duncanshaw1256 that doesn't make sense. And you are also just assuming that.

[@duncanshaw1256]

@@BigBadJerryRogers What else would you call Dylan Roof's use of the Confederate Flag in a school shooting but an atrocity used in hate? Whether a symbol is of heritage or hate depends on how it is represented, how it is used, nothing less and nothing more.

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

@@duncanshaw1256 so is the swastika a symbol of hate?

[@BaptistJoshua]

If the Civil War was fought over slavery, why was the Emancipation Proclamation not made until half way through the war? Chew on that!