History is history..Nothing we can do or say will ever change what has happened in the past. Why can't we all accept that and move on? Here in my part of the world there is for the large part a mutual respect of each other regardless of race or creed.
When we do our Civil War impressions,(we do both Union and Confederate)we sing our songs as they were written. I think it disrespectful to change the words the writer used. We have had blacks come and ask us to play certain of Foster's creations.
Many of my better customers at work are black and they have no problem with my wearing a Confederate Flag hat pin. I have been asked why I wear it, and my stock answer is that it represents my heritage, of which I am proud. It's up to those of us that realize what heritage means to educate others. Recently I was going in to a grocery store. On the sidewalk out front there was a black lady taking donations for a summer program for kids at a local black church. As I walked by I saw her eyes lock on my cap and its insignia. I could see the look in her eyes, thinking to herself 'Ain't no use asking him for anything'. When I came back out I had a couple of dollars I had received in change. I walked up to her and dropped the change into her jar. I wish all could have seen the look of surprise on her face! I then told her that I had heard of their work with youngsters and thought they were doing a fine job. I know she learned that not all people who display that flag are mean! I try to convey that message whenever I get a chance, doing my little part to try to unite all! If we all could just accept each other as people and not political statements, life would be so much simpler, wouldn't it?