Heritage

Got on Facebook, first thing I saw? // Confederate flag. Do I get involved? // As I read the comments the main thing I notice // "This is my heritage" is most the posters focus // Heritage... Heritage. What is this word? // I basically knew but still went ahead and searched // In this context, it's inherited history // A cultural connection to the past, which is interesting // Heritage is important. I understand this desire // I want to hear legends of ancestors by the fire // But the Confederacy fell in 1865 // Founded in 1861, so let's divide // The 4 years it stood, with the length of time // America has existed. When you do this you will find // 1.64% ... That's what it represents // It existed for half a minute, it just came and went // So really, how could this flag be emblematic? // Of your lineage, history, the intricacy of your fabric // Is almost done a disservice to focus on such a morsel // Wouldn't you want to live with a historical picture that's more full? // Where's your family from? Ireland? Italy? // Furthermore, the funny thing, is where do you stop with history? // The oldest human ancestors bones have been dated // To 7 million years which is way beyond the cave shit // I could break it down but basically to keep it brief // The species migrated from Africa to the Northern East // Tigris and Euphrates region, then the rest of Earth // Before culture could emerge, tech had to develop first // Like writing, and agriculture. Such a big deal // Maybe I'm crazy but shit dude I just feel // To identify your heritage with 2% of history // Is a limited vision. Consider different centuries // Let alone millennia, and the further back you go? // Your idea of heritage will more massively grow // So... anyway, if you still think it's tricky // Check the Declaration of Secession written by Mississippi // It says they identify with the institution of slavery // These are there official words. Maybe we // Should listen ... To the Confederate commander // Who spoke out against Southern monuments. Never said the answer // Was to tamper with historical standards but when hammers // Get slammed against something that stands for slavery then manners // Is a funny thing to predicate your argument upon // Plus, history isn't taught with monuments I'm on // Empty with my patience yet I long for real discussion // I don't want hateful exchange, I just cannot see the function // Of this flag. I'm from Texas. Trust me I'm no Liberal // In fact, I find the Democratic Establishment quite pitiful // Fuck em. But the Confederate states // Have documented moments where they say they wanted slaves // I've provided a work cited in the comments below // To say that's not what it's about is just dishonest so // ... Help me out. And please, be consistent // Don't pretend you're preserving history then become resistant // When hit with facts. Yes, Germany has monuments // To victims. Not perpetrators of intolerance // I'm not opposed to memorials or historical markers // But a stonewall statue where slaves worked is garbage // Participate in the debate. No snowflake emotion // I'm coming at this with my mind and make no mistake, it's open // Convince me. Cite your work. I'm fucking here // Let's talk about it calmly, no waiting another year // I'm not calling you racist or disrespecting your views // I'm saying make a logical case because frankly I'm confused