Growing Up Sideways In The Straight And Narrow South

[Aristus]

5. I was born and raised in Texas.

You're right about the church thing. Every single Sunday, without fail. I don't remember much about the church services, only that we got to go to Luby's afterward, and I would have their incomparable chicken-fried steak.

There's a picture of me standing in the driveway of our house on Sprucewood Lane in San Antonio. I'm about four or so. And I'm wearing a toy, child-sized Confederate Army cap. (!)

We also have a picture of my Dad when he was a teenager, playing with his dog. He's waving a small Confederate flag at his dog to tease him. This, despite the fact that my Dad later had a very notable, anti-KKK reaction once when he was dating my mother.

We grew up with the myth that the defenders of the Alamo were brave, selfless heroes fighting for freedom, instead of to preserve and expand the institution of slavery.

All I ever heard about Robert E. Lee is that he was a kindly, grandfatherly man who hated slavery but joined the Confederacy because he couldn't bear arms against Virginia.

I was a nearly an adult before I realized what horseshit that all was...

The fuckin' South, am I right?...