Is a Confederate soldier costume out of bounds?
I was clicking through Facebook last night looking at all the different Halloween costumes and couldn’t help but pause on the little boy dressed in a Confederate solider costume carrying a very large Confederate flag.
I’m not sure why I paused. I love history and that’s an historical outfit but I just wasn’t sure it was OK. Grown men do Civil War re-enactments all the time and that seems OK. But is a Georgia Reb costume out there without the other side somehow offensive or insensitive?
We know from Prince Harry that Nazi soldier costumes are not OK. I am thinking that a KKK costume would definitely NOT be OK. So what historical costumes are off the table? What can you definitely NOT wear and are Confederate soldier costumes in that realm?
Quick aside: I would like to add that my favorite costume was my cousin’s husband and their baby. Hubby dressed as a giant gorilla and the baby was dressed like his banana! So cute!
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322 comments Add your comment
Dave
November 1st, 2012
11:12 am
You anti-south people blow my mind. It was about slavery? really? I had an ancestor who died in the Battle of Atlanta defending his home and family from Sherman coming through and burning everything in sight – not just military targets. On top of that, he allowed his soldiers to rape southern women. So i say all you haters out there are pro – rape. you obviously are all for allowing your women to be raped, and their houses burned to the ground. I hope it happens to you one day while you sit there and let it happen because you are all cowards that would probably run and cry when anything bad happens. learn history you idiots. slavery – my God. why the hell would a poor farmer who lived off of what he was able to grow join up and fight to help a rich cotton slave owner keep a few slaves? just stupid on an epic scale.
@eidsonb
November 1st, 2012
11:13 am
My I remind the person who screamed Republican that the the Democrat Party of the south fought the CRA tooth and nail….and had a Grand Wizzard as a US Senator and in a leadership position.
You want to talk slavery, how about the current Democrat Party keeping the minorities on the voting plantation. We as conseratives do not look at you as a group but as an individual and we really dont care what color your skin is as long as you are a good citizen.
Remember though that the great Civil Rights Icon Joseph Lowery said since I am white I am going to hell as all whote people are…and we are all racists….
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
11:13 am
“I’m also conceited and egotiscal. Maybe I should become a Republican.”
You have the wrong party, pal.
Barry Obama, community organizer
November 1st, 2012
11:14 am
I’m enjoying this healthy, spirited debate, unlike my recent meetings with Governor Romney.
Its ironic I descend from an American slave on my White mother’s side of the family; while also descending from slave catchers and traders on my Black father’s side of the family back in Kenya.
Isn’t this a great country !
sparta_bubba
November 1st, 2012
11:15 am
Yes Phil you were right about one thing in that the KKK was founded by a Democrat (who today would be a Republican). Down around Sparta they say “even a blind hog will find an acorn every one in a while.” You found your acorn, so you are probably done for a while.
Common Cents
November 1st, 2012
11:16 am
@ Dave. No one in there right mind advocates rape. But where is your sympathy for the slaves that were constantly raped by their slave masters????
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
11:17 am
“Yes Phil you were right about one thing in that the KKK was founded by a Democrat ”
Then again, I never said that. Donnan did.
“You found your acorn, so you are probably done for a while.
I never get tired of calling out your lies.
sparta_bubba
November 1st, 2012
11:20 am
Phil read your post at 11:10 am. I’m sure Bishop Mitt can count a vote from you, since like him you can remember what you’ve said. Remember ObamaCare covers Romnesia, so go get yourself checked out when ObamaCare fully kicks in.
jtom
November 1st, 2012
11:22 am
Let me see if I’ve got this right:
You can’t dress as Johnny Reb because it glorifies him.
You can’t dress as an Indian, er, Native American because it denigrates them.
Hitler and Osama are ok. A terrorist dressed as an Arab with a bomb strapped on is not.
A white dressed as Obama is offensive. A black dressed as Obama is cute. (Isn’t it racist to have different opinions of people based solely on their skin color?)
Do we glorify a group by using them as costumes, or denigrate them? Truth is, neither one, we simply like to play pretent. Those who object aren’t obecting on moral grounds. They just don’t want us to have fun with something if it involves an issue they are emotional about. The insensitivity isn’t the person in the costume. It’s the person complaining.
Now put on your big boy pants and enjoy all the costumes. Park your PC feelings in the corner, and save them for serious adult conversation.
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
11:22 am
“Phil read your post at 11:10 am. ”
Yeah, and? All I said was “I CAME BACK AND FOUND MOST PEOPLE AGREEING THAT DEMOCRATS FOUNDED THE KLAN.” What about that statement makes you think that I originally wrote that about Democrats?
“I’m sure Bishop Mitt can count a vote from you, since like him you can remember what you’ve said.”
You are the one with the reading comprehension issues.
“Remember ObamaCare covers Romnesia, so go get yourself checked out when ObamaCare fully kicks in.”
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that you didn’t read the 2000 page bill. Am I right or am I right?
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
11:23 am
sparta_bubba
Did you get your Obamaphone?
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
11:24 am
I hate.
You name it, I hate it.
I loves me some sammiches though.
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
11:25 am
Late at night, I like to try on my “special” bloomers and prance about.
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
11:28 am
Sometimes, if I’m feelin’ sexy, I like to do naughty things with my hairbrush.
Shhhhhhhhh, don’t tell.
It’s our little secret.
FCM
November 1st, 2012
11:35 am
Probably no worse than the people who yelled don’t come back here ever again, even in future years (i think they refused to give candy to them too but not sure)…b/c the kids were dressed as Romney and Ryan.
FCM
November 1st, 2012
11:36 am
my kids were not dressed as Romney and Ryan…but a friend’s 2 sons choose those costumes.
sparta_bubba
November 1st, 2012
11:37 am
Phil I’m going to try and get my ObamaPhone while I’m out getting my Guvmint Cheese and spending my welfare check. Got to get all of this done just in case the Bush Supreme Court and the Ohio Secretary of State help Bishop Mitt to steal election like they did with George W. “Genius” Bush.
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
11:39 am
GET OFF MY LAWN!!!1!!111!!
Phil from Athens (the real one)
November 1st, 2012
11:40 am
I will find you, fake Phil. I have skills you only dream of having.
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
11:40 am
No you won’t.
Phil from Athens (the real one)
November 1st, 2012
11:41 am
You are close to being exposed.
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
11:41 am
Nope. Not gonna happen.
Phil from Athens (the real one)
November 1st, 2012
11:42 am
My computer skills and the detective I hired will find you.
I will not be mocked.
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
11:43 am
Too late for that.
Sally Sue
November 1st, 2012
11:48 am
Both Phils need to chill.
54th Mass
November 1st, 2012
11:49 am
Sparta was spot on. Most Germans also fought to “defend their homeland”, but they too were defending an evil society. Someone else also mentioned why no Revolutionary war reenactors. It is because they don’t love the US as much as the south. Their romance with the confederacy is a sick thing. The German citizens were marched to the death camps so they could see what they supported. The southerners lost the war and as soon as the reconstruction army left, they subjicated the blacks all over with Jim Crow laws. The war didn’t drive that evil and hate from their heart. Ban the costumes, the flag and the ideals of that lost cause.
DB
November 1st, 2012
12:08 pm
I don’t even know why I bother to comment on this — it’s going to get lost in the hysteria. Do I think it’s ok? Sure. I do not equate it with Nazis or the KKK or any other of the racial extremists. I equate it with a war over the determination of states rights — which is what the Civil War was about in the first place, the slavery question was secondary until it became a convenient rallying cry.
I experience very little “civil war” nonsense in the South. Frankly, we just don’t think about it. It was 150 years ago, after all. The only time it EVER comes up is when I’m in the North or I’m talking to someone from the North. Now that I’m living in the Midwest for a year, I’m politely astonished at some of the questions I get from perfectly nice people: “Did you know Honey Boo Boo?” (”Why, yes, there are only three dozen people who live in Georgia, so of course I knew her.” “Have you ever met any of the Real Housewives of Atlanta?” (”Umm . . . no, With that much silicon, how can they possibly be considered ‘real’?.” My favorite was when I lived in Connecticut, and was invited to one of my husband’s work-related dinners. When we rang the doorbell, the chime was “Dixie.” When the boss’ wife answered the door, she said, gaily, “Oh, I changed the doorbell in your honor, so you’d feel at home!” I have to admit that I couldn’t resist: “Oh, how nice — what was the tune? I didn’t recognize it.” She was dumbfounded that someone from the South didn’t tear up when they heard it. Sheesh. People . . .
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
12:08 pm
Note to the blog moderator. My name has been name jacked.
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
12:09 pm
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
Can you please ban the jerk who stole my blog handle?
Thanks
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
12:10 pm
“Ban the costumes, the flag and the ideals of that lost cause.”
Spoken like a true marxist.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 1st, 2012
12:14 pm
Looks like this blog is out of control.
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
12:18 pm
It’s just not fair, I tell ya.
Whoever stole my blog handle will be dealt with swiftly and also too they are no fun.
Phil from Athens
November 1st, 2012
12:19 pm
I see black people and I’m afraid.
homeschooler
November 1st, 2012
12:20 pm
My 9yr old daughter is currently reading a book called “Turn Homeward Hannalee”. It’s about a mill working girl who grew up in Roswell. She was stolen from her home by Union Soldiers as were many other children during that time period. It has a very “pro South” tone to it. My daughter also just finished reading a book about Abraham Lincoln. It talked a lot about slavery and why Lincoln and others did not believe in it and the part it played in the Civil War. Obviously very “pro-Union”. I am pleased that my children are getting a non-biased education about the Civil War. They are learning that neither side was “bad”. Slavery existed in many, many countries and cultures though out history. For some reason the United States seems to be the only country that just can’t let it go. I strongly believe that part of the reason is the indoctrination from the school system that just presses slavery, Black History etc… to the point that creates generations of white guilt. (which eventually turns to resentment) I was raised in Cobb County Public Schools and never once heard anything bad about the “North” but always heard about how horrible southerners were. I would have no problem with my child wearing a Confederate Soldier Uniform. I could see my son wanting to wear that costume because he loves the South. Period. It would have NOTHING to do with racism.
This is Mrs. Norman Maine
November 1st, 2012
12:35 pm
You have to admire the tenacity of White Southerners, still fighting a war they lost almost 150 years agoto be free to have the right to enslave others. Irony is a funny little imp, isn’t it?
Me
November 1st, 2012
12:39 pm
Wow, this is so sad. I can’t believe how you people are going on about this. Some of you either have the day off or just don’t work because all the back in forth is just crazy. Some of you have even insulted the blogger. My goodness she just asked a simple question. Some answers showed that a lot of people have really strong views, but some of you just seem down right unstable. The way some of you guys are behaving is scarier than any costume out there. What’s extra alarming is that some of you are this crazy even when you aren’t hiding behind a computer screen.
mt
November 1st, 2012
12:56 pm
If the south had won people of color would have remained slaves.
Wrong the industrial revolution would have ended slavery.After modern machinery the McCormick reaper, and other equipment was inventedt, it would not been fiananicaly feasible to keep slaves.
One of the Confederate Generals later stated that the South’s biggest mistake was not freeing the slaves before firing on Fort Sumter.
Omg
November 1st, 2012
1:02 pm
sparta_bubba
November 1st, 2012
5:46 am
The only thing I am defending is that your are an idiot!!!
mt
November 1st, 2012
1:02 pm
You have to admire the tenacity of White Southerners, still fighting a war they lost almost 150 years
Were still not fighting, we just wonder why Germany and Japan was treated well and rebuilt, and the South which is actually part of the USA was not treated well and why we are still trying to catch up.
Omg
November 1st, 2012
1:03 pm
sparta_bubba
November 1st, 2012
11:37 am
Uhhh, Gore did not win his home state. Is that stealing?
54th Mass
November 1st, 2012
1:04 pm
Red states equals the old connfederacy. States right is really “allow me to discriminate as long as a majority of us deem it ok”. “Southern pride” is really pride in Bull Conner, the KKK, Jim Crow, and ’seperate but equal’. How can you have pride in a state that declared war against the United States of America? That then took their anger over losing and the frderal government out on the newly freed blacks? Pride in starting a war that cost over 700,000 lives over defense of a business model fueled by slaves? be for real…….
Omg
November 1st, 2012
1:05 pm
Phil from Athens (both)
November 1st, 2012
11:43 am
Is this a split personality?
Omg
November 1st, 2012
1:06 pm
54th Mass
November 1st, 2012
1:04 pm
How can you speak for a person from the south?
mt
November 1st, 2012
1:06 pm
Ban the costumes, the flag and the ideals of that lost cause.
It want be you that bans it yank.
Omg
November 1st, 2012
1:08 pm
“Pride in starting a war that cost over 700,000 lives over defense of a business model fueled by slaves? be for real…….”
Still have not learned your history have you?
American History Teacher
November 1st, 2012
1:10 pm
Both North & South lost the so-called Civil War. States’ Rights, as envisioned by the Founding Fathers, was cast aside for a dominant, overbearing and meddling Federal government.
Omg
November 1st, 2012
1:10 pm
“States right is really “allow me to discriminate as long as a majority of us deem it ok”.
So how is that majority been working for the south since 1865. You are another yankee idiot and that will never change, from my cold dead hands.
Omg
November 1st, 2012
1:11 pm
American History Teacher
November 1st, 2012
1:10 pm
Thank you very much, well said.
mt
November 1st, 2012
1:14 pm
What about the 12,000 slaves that were owned by other blacks. One of the largest Plantation in Louisiana was owned by a black person.
FCM
November 1st, 2012
1:14 pm
@ Homeschooler really round out the Civil War education, have the child read Across 5 Aprils. I also read one (but don’t know the name off top of my head) that discussed the Civil War out near Texas…you read those 2 and it is like a different war than the one we hear about in Georgia.