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"FreeThinker"
I read your article with the express purpose of giving you the benefit of the doubt. I assumed that you would at least know some of the facts about which you wrote. Clearly, you are quite unaware of a number of facts.
1. The major cause for the war between the states was NOT slavery. (I realize that this has been taught as fact since the late 1800s... In fact, I was taught this as a child in a GA elementary school.) The major cause was a confederation of states wanted a government that was less federalized. They wanted each state to have the authority to govern themselves. Lincoln, a good man in a difficult situation, used slavery as a tool to turn the tide in the war. (This nearly backfired, since slavery was prevelant in the north as well.)
2. The "Old South" about which you think you are writing is really only the "recent old south." The Old South celebrated and honored by the gentlemen of the Kappa Alpha Order is much older than the 1920s and 30s. The ideals that were held, chilvalry and honor, are what we celebrate. (You will notice that I used the term "gentlemen"... That is who we are. We have no need to write or speak with the type of language you use.) We are more than capable of getting our point across without the use of vulgarities.
3. The "wanton rape of black women..." that you speak of did unfortunately happen. This is unexcusable. However, it is clear to me that your idea of what the "old south" was like comes from books such as "Uncle Tom's Cabin." (While this is an important piece of literature in our history, it is FICTION!) One should read more than just biased, one-sided literature before assuming they are "educated" on a subject.
Sure you have a right to your opinion about who were are and what we do. However, there is nothing that our Order indorses that glorifies the institution of slavery. We do not seek to bring back the ills of the past, but to bring back that which we have lost that will only make life better. How can someone say that it is wrong to treat a woman as a lady? How can someone say that it is wrong to honor God? How can someone say that we must limit our constitutional and God-given right to free speech because someone might be offended due to their own ignorance. That, dear sir, is unfortunately what you have to deal with. You are ignorant of many facts. And I would suggest that until you learn more on this subject, you should refrain from maligning the many great men about whom you speak.
As Mark Twain wrote: "It is better to not speak and be thought a fool, than to speak and prove it."
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