What is so tragic is that the tales of Uncle Remus actually have their roots in African Folk Tales with morals to the stories. They are not racist in the least. I studied Southern Lit. in college and researched these such topics. Bre Rabbit and the gang were tales brought by African slaves who arrived in America and retold to the younger generation of slaves. As they passed from generation to generation the names changed, but the core of the stories stayed the same. There is also a theory that these stories took on a whole new meaning as time passed. Bre Rabbit the trickster stood for the "slave" who out-witted the dumb, slow Fox "master". It was a form of expression---i.e. a way for the slaves to get back at their so called masters, just as the spirituals the slaves sung on the cotton fields was an organized communication system to pass information along from plantation to plantation. Next these old African-American Spirituals will be proclaimed Political Incorrect!
It seems Americans by and large are becoming a group who is easily led by their noses! They "we" are so out of touch with America's roots and its evolution. For example, freedom of religion has now become 'separation of church and state' a famous quote by Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father. These particular groups (ACLU, for one) who are pressing this issue need to go back and read all of Thomas Jefferson's writings, in particular that same letter which they derive the phrase 'separation of church and state'. Jefferson was answering a concern, by a Baptist group who heard that the Congregationalist demonination was about to be made the national denomination. Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptists, assuring them that "the First Amendment has errected a wall of separation between the church and the state. His letter explained that they need not fear the establishment of a national denomination---and that while the wall of the First Amendment would protect the church from government control---there would always be open a free religious expression of all orthodox religious practices, for true religious duties would never threaten the purpose of government.' *
The First Amendment actually says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
The Danbury Baptists group in 1801 were concerned about a national denomination being errected as was done in England with the Church of England. They felt that this would endanger every American's right to freedom of religion/to believe in their religion of choice.
To show the mindset of the Founding Fathers and their intention of the First Amendment concerning religion, I will quote George Washington's Farwell Address. Washington pointed out that the two foundations for political prosperity in America were religion and morality, and that no one could be called an American patriot who attempted to separate politics from its two foundations. He explained:
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars."
Washington's Farewell Address used to be in our U.S. History books in public schools, but no more. Our Founding Fathers delivered to us a system of government which has enjoyed uprecedented success (until of late): we are now the world's longest on-going constitutional republic. Two hundred years under the same document and under one form of government. This is an accomplishment unknown among contemporary nations. For example, Russia, Italy, France, and other nations underwent revolutions about the same time as the American Revolution, but with very different results. Consider France: in the last 200 years it has gone through seven completely different forms of government; Italy is now in its 51st; yet we are still in our first. *
I know it seems I have went completely off the topic, but bare with me. Political Correctness springs from the same muddy source as the groups who have subverted our Constitution and warped its meanings with crazy interpretations. For instance, Federal Taxation, along with the Federal Courts trampling the 10th Amendment are taking the States soviergnty away. When States Rights are stolen, our indiviual liberty is stolen!
Oh dear, I now sound like "Chicken Little", screaming the sky is falling! The sky is falling...
I guess this is a little too heavy for the discussion forum and should have been posted in the Political Forum---sorry---but I thought there was a clear parallel between P.C. and the subversion of our U.S.Constitution.
**source: America's Heritage by David Barton, Wallbuilder's Press.
Political Correctness, origional song words
