Confederate Memorial

[bchunter]

Born and breed in the South, with my Scottish ties in the South, and with ancestors who fought for the CSA, I would love to have a kilt in this tartan. Likewise, as others have eloquently stated, any wearing that is in the spirit of reverence and memorial to those fallen is OK by me, Union or CSA.

[Brian Boru]

I'm considering ordering a Confederate Memorial tartan kilt (amongst others), mainly because I like the color combination and pattern. Other than the fact that I now live in the South, I can claim no connection to the Sons of the South. My ancestors weren't even on this continent during the conflict.

I'm going to defer to the hive mentality here. Would wearing this tartan be considered disrespectful?

Greetings,
The Confederate Memorial Tartan was designed by a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans for the SCV members who have ties to Scotland. The tartan was well received by the membership and then it was opened up for anyone to wear the tartan, not just SCV members.

The grey is for the Confederate uniform color, the red is for the Artillery, the blue is for the Infantry, and the yellow is for the Cavalry, the solid red stripe is for the blood shed by the Confederate soldiers in defence of their homes, families, and land.
June 5th was Confederate Memorial Day in Maryland, and my SCV camp took part in a ceremony at Louden Cemetary where over 600 confederate soldiers are buried. I wore my kilt and the piper that was there was also in the Confederate Memorial tartan.

As for your question about being disrespectful wearing this tartan, all I can say is wear it with as much pride and respect as you would wearing your own clan or any other clan's tartan.

Cheers,

Brian

[NorCalPiper]

I'm going to chime in something that probably won't be very popular. THIS IS JUST MY OPINION. I too am born an bred in the South, and my Great-Great grandfather Edwin Brown fought with the 2nd Battalion Alabama 1st (or 2nd) company. He fought from beginning all the way to Fredericksburg where he was wounded and captured. Good thing too, because all his brothers and cousins were killed at Gettysburg. Providence....

Anyway, let me tell you why i think you should reconsider wearing this tartan. this tartan represents something completely different to other Americans. there is nothing wrong with celebrating and honoring those that fell in that conflict, but wearing a tartan that uses the colors of the confederacy will stand to remind some of what THEIR ancestors had to endure under the people and government that used them.

I don't want to sound like a bleeding heart ACLU liberal, because those that know me well will tell you that i'm anything but that.....But I personally do not believe in hurting my fellow countryman's feelings in this day and age. And while I'm a true southerner through and through, I am surely ashamed of what its culture propagated. That one aspect of Southern culture was defended by the Confederacy, and thats the truth. I want to wear tartans that i can celebrate my association with that EVERYONE will enjoy seeing and hearing the story or history about. I want to encourage others to love the kilt for the same reason I love it. I don't want to alienate or set the idea that guys who wear kilts are racist. Do you think this guy would like it?

[L. Ramsay]

I am personally aggravated by the notion that commemorating history somehow makes me "racist." Simply put, its about history. Its not about hate or ideology. I have no control over what others think of me or of what I wear. It shouldn't be a matter of concern, when people drag history into their own politics, it should not mean I am arbitrarily condemned.

I don't think its "this guy's" business which tartan I choose to wear, I respect his choice of tartan and I trust that I will be given the same courtesy. I also dislike the inference that all African Americans will be offended. I've reenacted ACW alongside African Americans, both with and against. We all respect that the history is the history, and no ideology is inherent.

Frankly, I think its sad when we make the default assumption that history should take a backseat to politics. Its a sign of how things have gone downhill.

[L. Ramsay]

Oh, and to elaborate I mean no offense to anyone, and I apologize if I sound hostile. Its my goal to be polite whenever possible, so if I stray from that please hit me with a shoe.

[NorCalPiper]

take it easy-i just said it was my opinion. I don't think it makes anyone a racist to wear this tartan personally, but I do feel strongly that there are those that would not be able to see past what the Confederacy meant to their people. thats all.

[GaRebel211]

As an owner of a Confederate Memorial Kilt, SCV member and an avid true history nut, I would have no problem with others wearing the tartan as long as the respect and honor befalls those for who it was designed. All of my family tree is surrounded by the War, from Virginia to Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and my old home state of Georgia. Bear in mind this-I have yet to be asked while wearing this kilt if I am racist or whatever-most people just think its neat your in a kilt, but I digress. BTW I have a confederate uniform for memorials etc- and I usually don't wear the kilt with the frock coat or shell jacket, I think it takes away from the history of it all, plus its hotter than all get out, again I digress. The main point I am trying to make is the goal of mine is to see that my ancestors are honored, nothing more never less-if others want to wear the Confederate Memorial Tartan in a kilt I say go for it for the right reasons-history,culture, and memorial.
I have had the same conversations with my wife about displaying my heritage in regards to wheather I should or should not do something in fear of offending people.What I concluded is if displays of heitage are relative to the occasion and tastefully done and in your heart you are being geniune in your purpose-people know the difference. The misrepresentation of Southern culture in todays society makes me vomit.
Also look up H.K. Edgerton for further insight.

[Zardoz]

Well, This is way off topic, but like Ramsay, I too am aggravated by the notion that commemorating certain parts of history somehow makes one a racist. So before it gets shut down I'll say this;

That fellow is wearing a tartan based on Royal Stewart, which is an emblem of Britain, being the personal tartan of Queen Elizabeth II. if I remember my history, the British Empire had the institution of slavery until 1833. So he can pick and choose where, and when, and by who, he should get offended.

It would be like anyone who's ancesters or kin were shot at by the 42nd Regiment of Foot or the Black Watch getting all bent every time somebody wore a goverment sett kilt. And don't say that was ancient history, The Black Watch were involved "the Troubles" in the 1970s.

[L. Ramsay]

Well, seems it has turned into a wee bit of an issue after all. I'd like it if we could end on a positive note, and hopefully we can all agree to wear what tartans we will with respect towards one and all.

[Colin MacBean]

As I said before I'm from Canada and I have visited extensively the United States of American. There were lots of people still mad at the Yankees for beating them. I think anything that prompts hatred is wrong. There is a difference between remembering a war as a tragedy and picking sides.

As for being racist. Obviously wearing a certain tartan does not make the current individual racist. That being said the South did among other things fight to keep slaves. Would a Jew have the right to be offended by a swastika? If so does not an African American have the right to be offended by a confederate flag? For those who do not know the swastika and anything relating to the German nazi party is banned in German.

I just can't stand seeing people feel as though they have to pick a fight because couple hundred years back their parents fought on different sides. Show some love everyone