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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Reenacting and Living History > Other General reenacting & LH talk > Confederate Civil War Reenactors not racist but everyone says we are. |
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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Reenacting and Living History > Other General reenacting & LH talk > Confederate Civil War Reenactors not racist but everyone says we are. |
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| Confederate Civil War Reenactors not racist but everyone says we are. | Rating: 
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 09:30 pm |
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1st Post |
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Reb till death Member 
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  I am a Civil War reenactor for the Southern Cause. Every time I tell some one I am acussed of being a racist. I am Mexican and White for crying out loud. anyone else share this problem?
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 09:53 pm |
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2nd Post |
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JoanieReb Member
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This is very interesting, RtD. Only among other reenactors am I challeged, because on movie sets, I will not portray a northerner, and I admit that this is a personal weakness. But, I don't talk much about my hobby with anyone whom doesn't share it. I assume the average person that I will meet will consider it "my hobby", at best, and "strange", at worst, and most likely be hostile to my choosing to portray a Confederate. Outside of reenacting, most people just don't really understand what it is about. It is genuinely interesting that you are of Mexican heritage and so proud of your Rebel Roots! Would it be too much to ask for you to share a little more about yourself? Such as where you are from and how your interest in The War Between the States came about? Maybe even your unit? I understand wanting to keep privacy, so there is NO reason to address these questions if you do not wish to! Everyone here will respect that choice, I think! Sincerely, Joanie Reb Last edited on Wed Jan 30th, 2008 09:56 pm by JoanieReb |
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 10:32 pm |
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3rd Post |
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Reb till death Member
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Actualy I am a freshman in High School. As of right now I am a independent reb at arms. But in process of joining a unit. Um well lets see my great grandmother died and I started to do genealogy work and not long after that I started the wholde Civil War thing. Come to think of it I have always liked the civil war since I was around 10 probably even younger.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 01:32 am |
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4th Post |
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JoanieReb Member
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Very Cool, Rebel til Death! We have some people who are very into geneology/ancestry (sp?) here. It's awesome that you got the bug at 10 and still have it as a teenager. That's rare and special. JoanieReb
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 01:44 am |
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5th Post |
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Dixie Girl Southern Belle 
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Reb we got the bug at the same age then. If your Mexican and White then your probably one on the least racist people out there. I dont talk about my intrest in the war except with people who share my intrest. people assume right off the bat that since I'm southern and wont portray any one but a southerner that im racist. let them think that. chances are is that there the racist ones and are just to blind to see it.
____________________ War Means Fighting And Fighting Means Killing - N. B. Forrest When war does come, my advice is to draw the sword and throw away the scabbard." Stonewall Jackson |
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 01:51 am |
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6th Post |
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Parault Member 
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I would have to disagree with the sentiment of Confederate reenactors being racist. The reason behind this. Several years ago I attended an event in Mississippi. Across the road from the event site was a bar-b-que joint/bar. This was owned by an African-Amercian gentleman. While we were going to camp on that Friday night one of the employees hollered at us telling us that they sold bar-b-que plates for $5.00. I along with several in our unit, in our Confederate uniforms,went over to the establishment, ordered our food, and drank several beers. I couldn't help but notice that the man working behind the bar told us to watch the place, and he went out by the door and was telling all the participants that were walking by, about the plate lunches. No Federals even came over there. There were some (Federals) that even walked faster and acted like they didn't hear him. Saturday was the funnest. There were nothing but Confederates at the establishment,that evening. Not once did I see any one in a Federal uniform. That Sunday I talked to one of the gentleman that worked there, and he said "that not one of those damn yankees ever stepped foot across the street." That man was funny to talk to. He added that the establishment made more money that weekend than it made monthly. He invited us back,and you know what? That bar-b-que was extremely tasty. I am looking foward to eating there again. He was a nice person and there was respect going both ways. i heard several yessir and nosirs coming from both the Confederates, the patrons and employees.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 01:57 am |
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7th Post |
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JoanieReb Member
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Great story, Parault! And I like the way you told it, with your personality and thoughts all shining through! Thank you for sharing it. Joanie Reb
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 02:24 am |
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8th Post |
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Reb till death Member
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Well Mrs. Dixie Girl exactly how old are you I like to meet people my age who enjoy this hobby of ours. There are so few who do this at this age.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 02:24 am |
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9th Post |
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Reb till death Member
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Well Mrs. Dixie Girl exactly how old are you I like to meet people my age who enjoy this hobby of ours. There are so few who do this at this age.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 02:24 am |
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10th Post |
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Reb till death Member
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Well Mrs. Dixie Girl exactly how old are you I like to meet people my age who enjoy this hobby of ours. There are so few who do this at this age.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 02:43 am |
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11th Post |
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Johan Steele Life NRA,SUVCW # 48,Legion 352 
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Been re-enacting quite a few years now. Seen racist re-enactors wearing both the blue and the gray. My experiance is that the more serious someone is about the history of the day the less racist they are likely to be. The first batch of boys in gray I ever met were about the best I've ever seen; they set a very high bar which very few, unfortunately, have been able to live up to. There are all sorts in the hobby: good, bad and indifferent. As for everyone saying you're racist... everyone has an opinion and are allowed to give it. Simply prove them wrong through your actions. The CS soldiers of 1861-65 deserve to be remembered for what they accomplished. They were men doing the best they could under difficult circumstances. Parault, something you might enjoy. My wife portrays a free woman of color and takes it very seriously to stay in first person (a "farb jar" collects quarters for stepping out of period). At one event she was selling her period donuts, nickel a piece or two bits for a dozen. Went over real well. Some CS arty boys smelled the donuts and came over. One young man offered her a dollar bill for two dozen; she looked at the bill and said she wouldn't take any fake folding money; another Reb that knows us got the hint and handed her a repop CS dollar bill. Her reply; "I don't need no kindling, coin or you boys get none o my bear sign." I thought he was going to bust out laughing but he reached in and gave her a dollars woth of coins. He got two dozen... no racism just a shared passion for history. Joanie; I can sympathize. I could never portray a CS soldier. All of my ancestors wore the blue. My intention through wearing the blue is not to glorify them but to understand them a touch more and to understand the reality behind the words in history books. If one night sleeping on the ground or a five mile route march wearing the same kind of gear brings me to a closer understanding of history and the sacrifices made by the men of the day then I have suceeded. If one of my presentations plants the history bug in someone then I have done well by them. The average soldier of the CS was a fascinating fellow & IMO one worthy of respect... far more so than the politicians I'm afraid.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 02:44 am |
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12th Post |
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Johan Steele Life NRA,SUVCW # 48,Legion 352
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Dixie girl; I think he wants to know how old you are! 
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 02:58 am |
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13th Post |
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Reb till death Member
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Well sir I think I might have a better story. I was wearing my CSA Uniform on a trip to a reenactment my class was going to I was going to be there with my unit. One African-American boy had a problem with it. He approched me. "How do you like it craker." he said. "Excuse me" I asked I didnt like where this was going. I knew why he was mad he had every right to be. "Watchen the black man do all the work." he said."Now my family didn't own any slaves." I said he threw a punch. I ducked and hit him so hard h
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 03:06 am |
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14th Post |
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Reb till death Member
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Well Johan well you see my clicker got stuck and...uh...
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 03:21 am |
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15th Post |
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Reb till death Member
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some reason all of my post did not go through. anyway he got knoked down. he just lay there I reached out my hand and said "I meant no harm friend. Are you okay. hear lets get you uped and checked out" he took my hand and I helped him to the hospital tent I pased back and forth hopeing he was okay. I felt so bad for what I did. Now would a racist think that way. He was fine.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 06:39 am |
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16th Post |
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ole Member 
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Reb: You will run into that sort of thing no matter what color you wear. Part of the reenacting thing is to learn how to handle it -- peacefully if possible. Offer Dixie Girl a wedge of lemon merengue pie. Can't tell. Might do you some good. (You can make a credible lemon merengue pie, can't you?) ole
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 12:22 pm |
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17th Post |
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Reb till death Member
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To be honest I have always hated fighting but yet I reenact fighting all the time. The kid swung and to be honest before I knew what I was doing Iswungback. Not many people trust to me on there side in a fight. Not that most of the people I know get into a fight often, but I guess when the time calls...but when it is a cause they need to fight for they come to me and ask for help sometimes. When I am determind to convince someone I can doit. I learend what to say and how to say it. My writting teachers tell me I can write one heck of a persasive (sp) essay. Being both Southern and Mexican I feel like I got the best ends of the stick. Each side teaches me there own share of belifes but I feel they are all the same. Many people thank it is fum that I treat a girl with respect. They find just plain amussing when I say my religion wont let me do this or let me do that. I dont always go to church so I try to do what I can with my religion. I mean to be honest they are religious they just don't take it a seriously. I to be honest I really shouldn't ethier but in my view of it I do. They have come and learend to respect it. I honor and value everyone's opion not that I sometimes like it but I do anyway. Once I was asked what am I said that I am southern. They asked where from and said Kansas (hey they really werent union what happened was the union payed abolisionits to go to Kansas and vote for no slaves and to be part of the union and then they left.) and Mexico. They said Mexico isn't part of the south? they said to me. I always thought it was about of the deep South. They laughed and laughed even though I was being serious
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 01:11 pm |
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18th Post |
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Dixie Girl Southern Belle
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Its not Mrs. its Miss Dixie Girl. i like you am a freshmen in high school an am 14. im home schooled.
____________________ War Means Fighting And Fighting Means Killing - N. B. Forrest When war does come, my advice is to draw the sword and throw away the scabbard." Stonewall Jackson |
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 01:21 pm |
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19th Post |
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Dixie Girl Southern Belle
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most people i know who share this same hobby are 40 year old men. never met any body my age who enjoys it. take ole's advice it might do you some good.
____________________ War Means Fighting And Fighting Means Killing - N. B. Forrest When war does come, my advice is to draw the sword and throw away the scabbard." Stonewall Jackson |
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 01:23 pm |
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20th Post |
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Reb till death Member
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Well your lucky the only reason I am home right now is because it is Midterms and I only have one test to take so I have to go in in the afternoon! So what got you into reenacting for the south.
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