CAMERON: No clue about South

Yes, Steve, it IS about southern heritage and also about U.S. History. We don’t get a redo on what happened in the past except to hopefully learn from it and make sure not to repeat the same mistakes again. Tearing down statues that have been in place for over 100 years in the South destroys a part of our history as a country regardless of how deplorable most of us view the Civil War and how it almost tore our young country apart. If the statues offend you, don’t look at them but don’t deny the history they represent.

I attended Jon Meacham’s speech. It was a wonderful evening. Your quote regarding his comment that Washington and Jefferson’s excuse for owning slaves was different because they were searching for a “more perfect union” falls into the shallow pool. I did not agree with that comment because no human should be able to “own” another human; I don’t care who they are. Slavery is wrong but it is part of our history. To imply that it was OK for some because they had a higher goal in life is hypocritical.

I was born in a southern state and consider your condescending comment “you can learn that (southern) heritage and culture by visiting museums, eating grits, watching SEC football, drinking sweet tea, or simply saying ‘Bless your heart’” an insult. How do you know? You said you’ve never lived in the South and the few days you were there could hardly qualify you to judge southerners with a few sarcastic comments. FYI, I’ve never eaten grits, don’t watch SEC football, and may have said “Bless your heart” a total of a dozen times in my 75 years. I do however love sweet tea as do lots of others spread all over our great country.

Maybe for your next birthday, a well-written history book on the Civil War should be on someone’s list. I might even send one to you myself if I thought you would actually read it.

MARY HENDERSON

Hayden Lake