Eastern Kentucky students hold onto Confederate school symbols

[deadparrot]

EASTERN, Ky. (AP) -- 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.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SOU_CONFEDERATE_FLAG_KYOL-?SITE=VARIT&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-12-09-12-10-19

[dsc]

1. "I have colored friends"

you just can't make this stuff up. I would be thinking we were reading the onion but sadly I know better.

[last_texas_dem]

19. That really jumped out at me, too

I live in a more classically "Deep South" area than eastern Kentucky (southeast Texas) and I've only once heard someone under fifty say "colored" to refer to black people- and I'm pretty sure even he was saying it in a joking manner. (Not that it was a particularly funny joke.) If that cheerleader's terminology is typical of that area/town that's more than a little surreal.

[kenny blankenship]

2. Doubly strange since KY was a Union state

although it was a border state and a battleground state and initially tried to be neutral.

[JohnLocke]

3. Celebrating treason.

[Bluebear]

28. word. nt

[rfranklin]

4. It is the symbol of losers, which they should be reminded of...

frequently.

[demo_not_full]

5. I live in Eastern Kentucky ...

I don't see where this is such an issue. Yes everyone should be as equal as possible but it becomes a delusion after a certain point. Whites are whites and blacks are blacks. I've seen many teenagers toting the confederate flag around ALOT but most of the time it was because of bannings. It's not right for any school to have us turn our backs on history, no matter how good or bad the memories are. Blacks get upset over what it means to them but maybe they should be counseled. We don't cry over "Black history month" or "Martin Luther King Day" and we don't cry about black comedians getting on stage and calling us honkeys and crackers and whitey. Yet, Michael Richards gets up and makes remarks and there are cries by blacks all across the country. I'm hearing more cries over racism with blacks than with whites. Yes, there are alot of racist bigots in the Republican party but that doesn't reflect most white Americans and the favoritism towards blacks only shows the same hypocrisy as for illegal immigrants.

We can't have double standards in America and hypocrisy doesn't only exist with white people. And by the way, I support Cynthia McKinney.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[countingbluecars]

8. Gee, how nice that

you don't cry over Black History Month or Martin Luther King Day. Why would you?

[Puregonzo1188]

9. Contradiction

You start of by saying you live in Eastern Kentucky, but when I clicked on your profile it said something very different.

"Profile name Profile value
Member since Nov 23rd 2006
Number of posts 19
Gender female
City windy city
State OHIO
Country USA
Hobby Jacking cars
Comment hi!"

So which is it Eastern Kentucky or Ohio?

[Torgo Johnson]

16. And also...

Since when is Chicago located in Ohio and not Illinois???

[BlueCollar]

17. There's a difference?

:hide:

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kerrytravelers]

18. I'm going out on a limb here and guess that you're someone who waves the Confederate flag proudly.

I bet you have black friends, as well, huh?


:eyes:


You just can't make this stuff up... :eyes:

[valerief]

20. Is that you, Mel? Michael? C'mon, give it up. Tell us. nt

[theHandpuppet]

23. Interesting -- just how much do you know of Kentucky's Civil War history?

I say this because I keep hearing the "history" excuse repeated like a mantra. My family is originally from Pike County, Ky, where most of my relatives still live and where my family still owns land. They were among Eastern Kentucky's earliest settlers.

You DO know that a large majority of Kentuckians fought for the Union? And nearly two dozen of my own ancestors from Pike County were Union veterans.

Just in case you'd like to brush up on Kentucky's real history in the Civil War:

Kentucky Union Regiments
http://www.rootsweb.com/~kymil/cw/cw-union.html
http://www.civilwararchive.com/unionky.htm
http://home.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/37th.htm
http://home.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/9th.htm
http://home.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/11th.htm
http://home.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/3rdCav.htm
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~flanagan/

http://kdla.ky.gov/resources/civilwar.htm
Kentucky Regiments Involved in the Civil War

According to official records, over 75,000 Kentuckians fought for the Union during the Civil War. This figure does not include the estimated 12,000 men who saw active service with Kentucky's state forces, nor the hundreds who belonged to irregular units such as self-styled "Home Guards" or "Independent Scouts."

Although Kentucky never seceded from the Union, it was admitted to the Confederacy on December 10, 1862 when Confederates in western Kentucky and portions of central Kentucky moved to establish their own government. Thus, Kentucky sent troops to both Union and Confederate forces.

The exact number of Kentuckians who fought for the Confederacy may never be known. Historians estimate that between 25,000 and 40,000 Kentucky volunteers served in the Confederate army, whether as troops in Kentucky-formed regiments or migrating south to join Confederate forces in other states, such as Tennessee or Virginia. The fact that service records for many of these individuals were either poorly kept, lost, or destroyed during the war presents a considerable challenge for researchers.... MORE

[theHandpuppet]

24. And here's a little more history for you

Who honors these Floyd County men? Here are but a few brief profiles of Floyd County Union soldiers:

Second Lieutenant Richard Landrum Burchett of Floyd County, Kentucky enlisted in October 11, 1862, at Peach Orchard, Kentucky and was mustered in as Sergeant in Company A of the 39th Regiment, Kentucky Infantry. When war broke out, Landrum's friends and neighbors were in sympathy with the Confederacy, but his patriotism for the Union held fast and he faithfully served until he was mustered out September 15, 1865. He was in a number of skirmishes but no prominent battles. He received a few minor wounds but was disabled from active service only a few days. In February of 1863, while on duty at Louisa, Kentucky he was stricken with measles. Due to overcrowding of the military hospital, he was forced to lay on the ground in inclement weather. His life was saved when his father came to camp and carried him to a private home where he recovered under his father's care.

First Lieutenant Isaac Goble of Floyd County, Kentucky enlisted on September 6, 1862 and served in Company A of the 39th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was taken prisoner along with Capt. David Valentine Auxier at Wireman's Shoals and as held at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. He participated in the Battle of Kingsport, Virginia on December 13, 1864, the Battle of Marion Heights, Virginia on December 18, 1864 and the Battle of Saltville, Virginia on December 20, 1864. He was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky on September 15, 1865.

Private George Washington Robinson of Floyd County, Kentucky enlisted on January 8, 1864. He served with Company A of the 39th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry and was discharged on September 15, 1865. .

Corporal John Jackson Auxier of Floyd County, Kentucky enlisted in 1861. He served with Company G of the 14th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. He participated in many engagements, including Paintsville, Puncheon, Middle Creek, Kentucky, Dalton, Kingston, Altoona, New Hope Church, Pumpkin Vine, Peach Tree Creek and Rome Georgia. He was twice wounded, once by accident and again at Kenesaw Mountain Georgia. He was hospitalized for three months at Louisa, Kentucky. He also served with Company and received his discharge at Louisville, Kentucky September 15, 1865.

David Crocket Dingus of Floyd County, Kentucky:
Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia
Cause of Death: Pneumonia or Typhoid Fever
November 26, 1863, Entered service as private in Company F, 39th Kentucky Infantry
Medical Information: Died while soldier in Civil War

The Sons of Union Veterans, Kentucky Department:
http://www.geocities.com/kysuvcw/


And last but not least, how about the heritage of Kentuckians who fought with the United States Colored Troops (USCT)?

http://www.coax.net/people/lwf/usct.htm
Approximately 164 regiments, 10 batteries of light artillery, independent units, Pioneer Corps, and unassigned USCT units were organized in the Confederate States by the Union Army or as state militia in the North. The vast majority were redesignated as United States Colored Troops after the establishment of the Bureau of Colored Troops on May 22, 1863. NOTE: The 29th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, and the 5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry Regiment maintained State designations throughout the war.

Between 178,000 and 200,000 Black enlisted and White officers served under the Bureau of Colored Troops which was established by General Order No. 143 on May 22, 1863.

Approximately 94,000 men were ex-slaves from states that had seceded from the Union. Approximately 44,000 were ex-slaves or freemen from the border states, and the remainder were recruited from the northern states and the Colorado Territory, many who were ex-slaves that went north on the Underground Railroad.
The largest number of regiments were organized in the following States: Louisiana - 36 regiments (approximately); Kentucky - 21 regiments ; Tennessee - 18 regiments; and Mississippi - 11 regiments.

.

[Kerrytravelers]

27. I'm glad you had this information readily available.

My family lives in Kentucky. I have never once seen a Confederate flag as a symbol of Kentucky history or pride. In fact, it is abhorred.

[Botany]

6. Problem is that the students are brought up to think that the Stars n Bars ....

.... means love of the south and pride in one's self. For the most part they
see it as symbol of pride.

[jody]

10. Your OP produced several sarcastic replies. Are those DU members equally intolerant of students who

display all other symbols of ethnicity?

A bigot is "one who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ."

[AspenRose]

26. The Confederate Flag is not a symbol of 'ethnicity'

At least it was not intended that way initially. It may be considered one now, however, if you happen to be a white supremicist.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

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[Tony_Illinois]

12. Pathetic But Not Surprising . . . Here's a Fabulous Picture

from their "Distinguished Students Dinner"

[Chorophyll]

14. One is greeted by animated Confederate flags at the school's web site.

I was curious, so I googled.

http://www.achs.floyd.k12.ky.us/

:puke:

[valerief]

21. Hmm, Rebel flags and no Jesus. Odd. nt

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

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[mitchum]

22. Losers...and proud of it!

[Bluebear]

25. "I have colored friends around here and they never say anything."

Says "Tiffany".

:eyes: