SC senator dresses up as Confederate soldier with slaves in tow at SC Ball

[LBJ Revivalist]

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/09/15/sc-senate-confederate-gop/


This past weekend, the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) “held its annual fall Board of Directors meeting in Charleston, S.C.” In attendance at the event were major Republican leaders throughout the state, including Gov. Mark Sanford, who spoke to the audience gathered there.

One shocking moment at the NFRW meeting involved a special event called “The Southern Experience.” In this event, attendees dressed in clothing reminiscent of the Civil War and the antebellum South. As FITS News reports, South Carolina Senate President Glenn McConnell (R) participated in the event by dressing up as a Confederate General, and at many points posed with African Americans dressed as slaves:

The National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) held its annual fall Board of Directors meeting in Charleston, S.C. last weekend – a decision the organization is likely regretting after several controversial pictures from one of the meeting’s sponsored events began surfacing on the internet. One of the pictures shows S.C. Senate President Glenn McConnell – who FITS readers will recall enjoys dressing up as a Confederate General – posing in his Rebel garb with a pair of African-Americans dressed in, um, “antebellum” attire.

The event in question – dubbed “The Southern Experience” – was held last Friday evening at the Country Club of Charleston. Hosted by the South Carolina Federation of Republican Women, it was included on the national conference’s official itinerary. In addition to McConnell, S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford attended (and spoke at) the event – although it was not listed on his weekly public schedule. S.C. Republican Attorney General nominee Alan Wilson also attended.

FITS News shares the picture in question, which it uncovered:

[Хahar 🤔]

What I'm wondering is who those blacks are.

[tpfkaw]

Can we retitle the topic as SC state senator?  Otherwise it's misleading.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Well, today SC Senator DeMint declared a Republican civil war. I guess SC likes starting civil wars.

[Free Palestine]

OH NOES RAYCISM

[Zarn]

My question is: Why is that a big deal?

It's a past re-enactment. Do we need a politically correct past, now?

[Meeker]

Interesting decisions.

[Sewer]

My question is: Why is that a big deal?

It's a past re-enactment. Do we need a politically correct past, now?

But the black guys are happy...

[Zarn]

Well, somebody said cheese.

[??????????]

I can only imagine the brainless idiots who will come out trolling about this topic here.

[Dgov]

My question is: Why is that a big deal?

It's a past re-enactment. Do we need a politically correct past, now?

[??????????]

Actually the most offensive thing about that picture is the horrifically inaccurate costuming as well as the farb eyeglasses. Also the "slave" is wearing a modern button up dress shirt and I bet none of those clothes are hand stitched or have a lick of wool.

[Frink]

What I'm wondering is who those blacks are.

This.

[??????????]

What I'm wondering is who those blacks are.

One of my best friends is a black reenactor and does one hell of a rendition of a servant. He does it with the utmost respect and integrity.

[Brittain33]

What I'm wondering is who those blacks are.

One of my best friends is a black reenactor and does one hell of a rendition of a servant. He does it with the utmost respect and integrity.

You mean "slave," not "servant." Servants can pick up and leave if their employer abuses them or their family, slaves have no choice.

[afleitch]

Actually the most offensive thing about that picture is the horrifically inaccurate costuming as well as the farb eyeglasses. Also the "slave" is wearing a modern button up dress shirt and I bet none of those clothes are hand stitched or have a lick of wool.

Well this actually ^^^^

I have the greatest of respect for re-enactments and those who strive for detail and accuracy. I don't have much respect for half-assed fancy dress

[opebo]

OH NOES RAYCISM

You don't mind it?

What I'm wondering is who those blacks are.

This.

The point is, they're not acting.  The point is - they're still slaves.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

I have never and will never understand Civil War re-enactments.

[??????????]

Cat drugs fry your brain, Mr Moderate?

[opebo]

I have never and will never understand Civil War re-enactments.

Its the same as the Tea Party.  They're highly emotional, filled with rage at even the smallest loss of privilege (or even perceived privilege).  I watched a BBC documentary on the Boers - its the same, only there it was incredibly amusing to see that side actually not in control.

[Storebought]

South Carolina has many blacks who re-enact or reconstruct the low country slave experience. You can't deny history just because it's unpleasant.

But this event sounds like a nostalgic costume party.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

[opebo]

But this event sounds like a nostalgic costume party.

See, that's exactly the kind of affected nostalgia I don't like.  Now if they wore confederate clothing as part of their ordinary day-to-day lives, and perhaps kept mules, that would have a certain charm.

[Torie]

But this event sounds like a nostalgic costume party.

See, that's exactly the kind of affected nostalgia I don't like.  Now if they wore confederate clothing as part of their ordinary day-to-day lives, and perhaps kept mules, that would have a certain charm.

Those oak trees lined up were planted about 200 years before the house was built. Now isn't that at least charming in its own way?