South vs. North?

[IvySpice]

Each of us has as much control over who our ancestors were, or what our ancestors did or thought as we had control over our height or DNA. It's how you process it and how you decide to improve on their lot that's important.

Agreed. It is perplexing, then, that people express so much pride in their ancestors. You can't control who they are and what they did, so what do YOU have to be proud of? If your pride stems from your association with their noble accomplishments, why shouldn't you feel shame about their shameful acts? You have exactly the same degree of connection to their evil acts as to any others.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by IvySpice

Agreed. It is perplexing, then, that people express so much pride in their ancestors. You can't control who they are and what they did, so what do YOU have to be proud of? If your pride stems from your association with their noble accomplishments, why shouldn't you feel shame about their shameful acts? You have exactly the same degree of connection to their evil acts as to any others.

So there should be no Black History Month?

[SWTXBelle]

Or Founders' Days, apparently.
I know that I celebrate my noble ancestors, the founders of my sorority, the martyrs and saints of my religion and the great minds who founded my country because to do so is to encourage myself, my children, my sisters and my students to emulate them. It is to recognize the sacrifices and work they put into developing institutions I love. It is because I love what they loved, and want to pass a legacy of knowledge and understanding to my children, and their children. It is because while times and societies change, certain truths remain - and those are worth preserving.