Officially this country begins commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War and I have read that this will continue through the spring of 2015. However, I can honestly say that I have not heard very much about the festivities planned up here in Chicago. Chicago was considered the heart of the Union at the time of the Civil War as President Lincoln was from Illinois. I really do not know if the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War is being talked about very much in the rest of the country either.
Perhaps it is not talked about up here in a Northern state for two reasons. First, the North won the war, so as victor, it is impolite to speak of the victory. It is better instead to let the country heal. Second, the Northern states are not doing well economically. We are now known of as the 'Rust Belt' (for all of the closed down industrial plants) and everyone it seems is moving to the 'Sun Belt.' The 'Sun Belt' consists of the Sunshine states which encompass the American Southwest and the Southern states. Perhaps the Northern states don't feel very proud at the moment, so even discussion of the North having fought to free the slaves isn't enough to help the 'Northern ego' now.
I will be curious to see what type of conversation this nation will have about this chapter of American history in the coming years because many people think that the United States is at its most divided since the Civil War. Just look at any political poll on any topic and you will see that it is almost evenly split 50-50. Interestingly, the lines drawn in this country between 'Red' (Conservative) and 'Blue' (Liberal) states parallels a lot of the same territory from the Civil War era. Furthermore, as President Obama declared his candidacy for President in 2012 last week, all of this historical reflection is bound to become a hot issue during the Presidential campaign.
I personally find it interesting timing that not only is the first African-American President sitting in office during this commemoration, but also that this President is also from Illinois, which by the way, is nicknamed 'the Land of Lincoln.' Unfortunately racism has surfaced again with a biracial President. It makes me wonder if racism is ever really gone from America at any given time. Although now in America, racism is something that is thinly veiled and whispered about behind closed doors, or screamed about on chat boards under anonymous names. Americans, especially older ones who remember the Era of Segregation, still have a difficult time having a frank, adult conversation on the topics of race, racism, or slavery.
For example, one issue that many times ends up becoming a hostile conversation with great misunderstanding is that of whether there should be an official American Presidential apology for slavery. Many white Americans are afraid that if the United States President officially apologizes for slavery as a nation, then descendants of the slaves will demand monetary payment for the suffering of their ancestors. (Several Southern states and the Congress have apologized for slavery, but only within the last decade!)
These are all very difficult, painful topics that many Americans refuse to talk about in public. 150 years on from the Civil War, America still has a lot of healing to do.
Essential Reading:
Here are several articles highlighting opinion pieces and travel writing to commemorate the Civil War at the start of its 150th Anniversary.
The Way We Weren't ~ Time Magazine
This article debates the controversy between viewing the Civil War as an issue over States Rights vs. Slavery.
The American Civil War Battles Continue ~ The Guardian
This article from an English newspaper examines the current tension between Northern and Southern views over the Civil War.
Civil War Road Trip ~ Slate Magazine
Enjoy a piece of modern day historical travel writing through the Civil War South.
Essential Vocabulary
bitter (adj) ~ something that is harsh in taste or unpleasant in nature
outcome (n) ~ the end result
to commemorate (v) ~ honor the memory of a historical event; a commemoration can be for a happy occasion or a sad occasion
candidacy (n) ~ the state of running for a political office or official position
reflection (n) ~ thoughts about a topic
to be bound to ~ to be likely to
to be thinly veiled (v) ~ to be easily understood and only partially hidden
Era of Segregation ~ the time in America when whites and blacks lived separate, unequal lives
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