Blacks Quote by Tony Horwitz
““When the singing ended, I chatted with others in my pew, including a tall, aristocratic-looking man with pomaded gray hair. I told him about the Lee-Jackson gatherings I'd attended and asked how he felt about people still celebrating the Confederacy. "I'm happy they have the freedom to celebrate those men, the same way we celebrate [Martin Luther] King here," he said. "But you didn't see nobody black at those meetings, did you? We had white folks here, at least a few. Anything you got to do with your own kind in secret, something's wrong with it. You feel bad about it inside." A wry smile creased his lips. "I got one word for those folks--Appomattox. The game's up, you lost. Get over it.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Confederacy of Tears by Tony Horwitz, 1999
A white supremacist claims that celebrating Confederate symbols is as acceptable as honoring civil‑rights leaders, but reveals his own hypocrisy and denial of racism.
In simple terms: He argues that celebrating the Confederacy is wrong and hypocritical.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge hidden racism.
Themes
racism
hypocrisy
history
memory
identity
Mood
defiant
skeptical
reflective
Type
critical
political
When to use this quote
- church gatherings
- historical debates
- racial reconciliation
- public monuments
- personal conversations
Key Concepts
white supremacy
collective memory
moral inconsistency
Questions to Reflect On
- How does selective memory shape racial attitudes?
- What responsibilities do individuals have to confront historical injustice?
A Different Perspective
His view ignores the systemic impact of Confederate symbols on Black communities.
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