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Since 1939, Maryland has had a pro-Confederate official state song that glorifies slavery and treason against the USA. Confederate symbols have been closely linked in history to massive efforts like Jim Crow to deny justice. On nine previous occasions, legislators have voted to keep the song which is incompatible with a Maryland that values ALL its citizens! People who cling to Confederate symbols are trying to cling to false history.
The pro-Confederate state song was adopted during Jim Crow days to advance "The Lost Cause" lie that rewrote history so the Civil War was seen as a fight between a noble South and a tyrannical North. Historians now agree the Civil War was prompted by Southern determination to defend and expand the institution of slavery and the status quo of White Supremacy. While the Confederate flag is not the same as a KKK hood or a Nazi Swastika, it's too darned close.
The song sung to the beautiful "Oh Christmas Tree" music includes a call for revenge against Union troops who defended themselves from a violent attack by pro-Confederate Marylanders in the Pratt Street Riots, the first bloodshed in a Civil War that cost more than 700,000 American lives. The song also calls Abraham Lincoln a "despot," a "vandal," and a "tyrant." If you hear children singing these awful words to beautiful music, you should get chills down your spine.
Changing the song will give us a teachable moment so Maryland children can learn a song they are proud to sing about a state they are proud to live in. They will know they live in a state that is also proud of them. Click on Photo for Press Release!
Now is the time to change the song when Maryland legislators meet January 13-April 12 2021. Click here to find your Maryland Representative to contact them and urge them to change the song!