Looking forward, not backwards

I'm sure many of you have heard about the controversy surrounding the Virginia governor and his Confederate History Month proclamation. What you may not know, is that Alabama's Governor proclaimed April as Confederate History and Heritage Month on March 22, 2010. There have been many comments/blogs/articles about this issue (in Virginia, not much about Alabama). This essay by author Tim Wise is uncomfortable to read in places, but I think it's worth it.

My husband and I are Alabamians by choice, not by birth. There are many things we like about Alabama and feel that is has many things to be proud of and numerous strengths. But I am dismayed that we allow so many of these strengths to hide behind the veil of the Confederacy. I think this statement from the essay illustrates that feeling: " . . . it forever tethers the history of the South to the history of a four-year breakaway government, as if the latter can and should speak for the former. It conflates the South and the Confederacy, and in so doing suggests that this is what makes the region special, and that this is what we in the South should be proud of."

When will we throw off the yokes that hold our state back and realize that we can improve the future for all Alabamians by looking forward, not backwards?