Prometheus 6

I think I will make room, though.

Neo-Confederacy
A Critical Introduction
Edited by Euan Hague, Heidi Beirich, and Edward H. Sebesta

A century and a half after the conclusion of the Civil War, the legacy of the Confederate States of America continues to influence national politics in profound ways. Drawing on magazines such as Southern Partisan and publications from the secessionist organization League of the South, as well as DixieNet and additional newsletters and websites, Neo-Confederacy probes the veneer of this movement to reveal goals far more extensive than a mere celebration of ancestry.

Incorporating groundbreaking essays on the Neo-Confederacy movement, this eye-opening work encompasses such topics as literature and music; the ethnic and cultural claims of white, Anglo-Celtic southerners; gender and sexuality; the origins and development of the movement and its tenets; and ultimately its nationalization into a far-reaching factor in reactionary conservative politics. The first book-length study of this powerful sociological phenomenon, Neo-Confederacy raises crucial questions about the mainstreaming of an ideology that, founded on notions of white supremacy, has made curiously strong inroads throughout the realms of sexist, homophobic, anti-immigrant, and often "orthodox" Christian populations that would otherwise have no affiliation with the regionality or heritage traditionally associated with Confederate history.

Euan Hague is Assistant Professor of Geography at DePaul University in Chicago.

Heidi Beirich is Director of Research and Special Projects for the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project, which tracks the activities of hate groups. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama.

Edward Sebesta, an independent scholar based in Dallas, has published previous peer-reviewed studies of the Neo-Confederacy movement.

In case the reason for my interest isn't obvious:

Independence High School bans Confederate flag
Submitted by Christian Grantham on April 29, 2008 - 11:11am.

The principal of a Thompson Station high school has banned students from displaying the Confederate flag. The ban follows an incident on Friday where a student displayed the flag along with a noose. News 2 reported yesterday the student was disciplined. The following text is part of the message posted yesterday online by Independence High School Principal Marilyn Webb to students and parents.

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Md. high school racial tension promps Confederate-flag ban
By The Associated Press
03.14.08

CUMBERLAND, Md. — A high school principal has banned Confederate flags from vehicles and clothing on school grounds after an outbreak of racial hostility led to suspensions of at least two students.

Stephen Lewis, principal of Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, said March 11 he issued the edict because some white students had begun using the rebel flag to intimidate and harass black students.

"Symbolism started to be used for racism and we just put a stop to it," Lewis said. He said he had heard no complaints since he issued the ban on March 7.

Black students compose no more than 10% of the school's approximately 1,000 students, Lewis said. He said racial tension had surfaced at the school in the last 10 days for unknown reasons.

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Ky. students embrace Confederate mascot, flag despite controversy
[P6: This one cracks me up because Kentucky didn't secede]
By The Associated Press
12.09.06

EASTERN, Ky. — The welcome sign at Allen Central High School is home to a grinning Confederate soldier, proudly waving a banner bearing the St. Andrew's cross of the Confederate battle flag. The courtyard nearby is composed of blue brick that forms the cross and a mural in the lobby pays homage to another rebel soldier, this one carrying the flag on horseback.

More rebel soldiers and Confederate flags cover the same walls that hold posters touting academic achievement, fundraising drives and notable attendance of the all-white student body.

The students know all about the controversy surrounding the Confederate flag, about the many schools that have banned its presence on campus. They know that many associate it with slavery and racism.

Yet, they defend their displays with firm conviction.

"To us it's not about the hatred," said Tiffany Owens, an 18-year-old cheerleader at Allen Central High. "I have colored friends around here and they never say anything."

 

Here's the table of contents.

Yeah. I'll definitely make room.