ABG
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contributors
  • ABG CFB
  • Reference center
  • Contact Us

Cumberland Island

#Chattanooga

7/17/2015

0 Comments

 
Whether we're learning the lessons of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, getting a glimpse of the Tennessee River from the Riverpark or the Walnut Street Bridge, enjoying the breathtaking views from Point Park, digging through the volumes at McKay's Books, taking in a show at The Tivoli, or eating entirely too much fried chicken at Bea's Restaurant, we love Chattanooga. Chattanooga is one of the only cities in which I feel truly comfortable.  

Needless to say,when I first heard the news on a Chattanooga radio station that I listen to locally, I was stunned. This wasn't some city states away that I know of but don't frequent. This was in my backyard. This was practically local. I didn't need a Google Maps search to find the location this was happening on. I'm familiar with Amnicola Highway, Old Lee Highway, Erlanger Medical Center, all of the places that were being locked down or declared scenes of horror. It wasn't home. But it might as well have been. 

So here we are, on the ripples of the Charleston shooting, dealing with a terrorist attack in the Gateway of the Deep South. That has left me wondering about a response. I started ABG because I love the South in general. I can't imagine living anywhere else. And the more I've looked at our history and our culture, the more I've seen it disappearing, even coming under attack. And I don't like that. So I have this "entity" to defend and celebrate The South. So I'm here today to plead with all Southerners to defend The South in the wake of a terrorist attack. 

How should react? What is our greatest defense? 

We need to be Southerners.

That sounds simplistic and general, I know but I believe it is the best reaction that we could possibly muster. It would be easy to be afraid and go into some sort of  shell and hide. But we are Southerners. We need to go outside. We need to swim, dance, and cook various portions of pigs slowly over a smoky fire. We are called to sing gospel, bluegrass, and the blues. We must write poems, short stories, and novels - the best in the world. We need to have festivals. Most of all, we have to look out for each other, pray for each other, and help each other. We have to show off those qualities that have made us famous - hospitality, neighborliness, and that rugged individualism in the face of danger or opposition. 

Now more than ever, we need to not look toward Madison Avenue, Hollywood, or Washington D.C. to tell us how to behave, how to react, how to live our lives. We need to look to our grandparents and their grandparents. Slow down, pay attention to those around us. Love this land and our traditions and don't allow any outsiders take those from us. 

Let's be Southerners. Let's pray for Chattanooga. Let's help Chattanooga. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Sam B.

    Historian, self-proclaimed gentleman, agrarian-at-heart, & curator extraordinaire
    ​READ MORE


    Picture
    ABG Sponsor, Click Here
    Picture
    ABG Sponsor, Click Here
    Picture
    ABG Sponsor - Click for Link
    Tweets by @BiscuitsGA

    Social Media

    RSS Feed

    Books Blog Directory

    Categories

    All
    Agriculture
    Art
    Books
    Business
    Christmas
    Civil War
    Community Revitalization
    Culture
    Education
    Family
    Fashion
    Fiction
    Film & Television
    Food
    Garden
    Hiking
    History
    Home
    Industry
    Local
    Music
    Native American
    Outdoors
    Politics
    Restaurants
    Revolutionary War
    Tradition
    Travel
    World War II

    Archives

    November 2022
    July 2022
    March 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2010

Copyright 2015
ABG. The celebration and preservation of Southern history, culture, and agrarian ideals.
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contributors
  • ABG CFB
  • Reference center
  • Contact Us