[SWTXBelle]

But you see, you are buying into the arguement that the South was bad - or worse. My earlier post I think makes it clear that to argue that the War was fought over slavery is to ignore the fact that slavery remained legal in the Union after it had been declared illegal in the South. How can you say you are fighting a war to abolish slavery, when you continue to practice it yourself? The issue of the growth of the Federal government - the fact that in 1861 the south was paying 87% of all tariffs to the USA government - the issue of state's rights - it's too much to go into here, but suffice it to say that my marriage to a history professor has given me lots of information regarding the reasons behind the War. (It's his specialty) England was able to abolish slavery without a war - every other nation in the Western Hemisphere was also. Am I to believe that we were the only nation who couldn't? I could, if you like, point you to quotes from Lincoln, Grant and Sherman about race that would make your hair curl. A professor once made the point that the issue of racism in the north and south could be described as this - in the south, blacks were an accepted part of society, the question was their role. In the north, they were not even accepted. Lincoln famously suggested that freed blacks be shipped back to Africa. The Draft Riots of 1863 were in New York City, not some southern city. And hey - the Dred Scott case was decided by the largely-northern Supreme Court, which overturned the earlier ruling of the southern court. (!!)
As to today, as I look at the news, I really think that racism in various forms is spread pretty evenly. If you are in the south, obviously you hear more about incidents here, but I remember when I lived up north hearing plenty.
My ulimate point is that I hate to see southerners carrying the burden of a guilt which has been unfairly laid on their shoulders. I think that rather than dwelling on the past, it is better to look at the progress that has been made, and continues to be made, and do all we can to further the idea that all men are equal before the law. That's it - I just want you to feel you can state you love the south without feeling obligated to make a qualifying statement.