Letter from Ben Jones (Cooter Davenport)
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CITIZENS OF HAZZARD NATION UNITE!!
NOTE: This is a somewhat lengthy personal appeal from Ben Jones. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read it.
Dear Friends,
The purpose of this letter is to let you know about the ongoing “Dukes’ controversy” in Cincinnati and to ask you to take a little action on behalf of America’s all-time favorite family show. “The Dukes of Hazzard” is being threatened by self-righteous elitists who have accused our show of being “racist”; an accusation that is false, disgusting, and an insult to everyone who has ever watched the show or shared it with their children. We cannot let this go down without standing up for what is true and right.
The facts as I know them: Tom Wopat and John Schneider are both world-class singers. They have sung often with symphonies, with “Pops” orchestras, and sung leads in Broadway musicals. (Not to mention their highly successful country and pop recording careers!) Having performed on several occasions with the renowned Cincinnati Pops, they were asked to do a show on July 14th which was to be “Dukes” themed. They agreed, were sent contracts, signed them and sent them back, and put the show on their schedules. Then they were informed about two weeks ago that the date had been cancelled because of accusations from the NAACP that the “Dukes of Hazzard” had “racist overtones.”
Some of you may know that I started my political career during the Civil Rights Movement, trying to bring equality and justice to all, and making the American Dream of equal opportunity a reality. And I have seen so much progress, and understanding, and genuine brotherhood evolve in our beloved South. There is much still to be done, but this progress has come from our hearts as we try to live in the mutual respect in which The Good Lord intended his children to live. To be accused of something as harsh as racism because of my work with the Dukes of Hazzard is a stunning attack on my character and my personal history of commitment to social justice. It hurts.
But of course it goes beyond that. For almost thirty years now our show has been bringing people together for a good, positive, clean hour of programming that has been shared by families in over fifty countries. It is one of the few shows that is completely colorblind. There simply was no racism in Hazzard. That’s the way the world should be!
Not only did the NAACP made this charge, but the Cincinnati Pops then accepted that baloney without question and without considering the feeling of tens of millions of Americans who disagree with this nonsense. The Pops caved in to this misguided political pressure, removed two great singers from the stage, and deprived their audience of a wonderful and uplifting performance. To me, as an artist, this is kind of a “politically correct” fascism, where a false charge leads to censorship based upon one group’s political bias.
This is where it stands. The “Pops” through their spokesperson has said that they will have John and Tom back some other time. I don’t know how the boys feel about that, but I don’t think I’d get near that stage without a very serious and public apology for the accusations they have made about our work and by implication, our characters. And the NAACP has managed to take a wonderfully benign show and make it a divisive issue, which I don’t believe serves any good purpose. It certainly does not foster understanding and fellowship.
I am a Son of the South. I am of mixed heritage. One branch of my mama’s family was listed for decades on the census simply as “non-white.” I am also 1/8 Tuscarora. I am also of Welsh, Irish, French, and perhaps Jewish blood. I am a Heinz 57, like a whole lot of folks. My southern ancestors did not own slaves. That is true of 93% of those who served in the Confederate Army. The Civil War was the crucible of American History. Those of us who study it know that everything which led up to Fort Sumter was seemingly inevitable and that everything after it has been affected by it. I have been criticized by some in the “Southern Heritage” movement for saying that the South was on the wrong side of history, and that the War ended the right way for America. But I revere and honor my ancestors who were a part of the Southern effort. And we, the descendants of the Confederacy, will never, ever, be ashamed of our heritage.
And as a Son of the South I also know of the terrible legacy of human slavery. African-Americans have been denied so many things for so very long that many of them feel that they are not playing on a level field and that the starting line for them is further from the finish. And the realities of that past are ever present. For example, if you are carrying a dollar bill in your pocket, you are carrying a picture of Virginia’s largest slave-owner of the late 18th Century. Yep, Mr. Washington, the “Father of Our Country.” Now, no one is denying Mr. Washington’s greatness, and no one is throwing all their dollar bills away!
My point is that symbols mean different things to different people at different times. If a handful of half-wit bigots want to go out in a field dressed up in bed sheets and then desecrate the Christian Cross, the American Flag, and the Confederate Battle Flag, the Constitution says they have the right to that expression. But they do not represent Christians, they do not represent Americans, they do not represent the millions of descendants of the Confederacy, and they do not represent those of us who sleep on bed sheets. I hope I’ve made my point.
Maybe there is a blessing in this situation. Maybe this is the point at which we can build a bridge of understanding about these things. Our show proved that the use of the Battle Flag wasn’t just the province of the “haters”. It flies with respect and reverence throughout America’s battlefields, at Civil War re-enactments, in homes and in meetings of Heritage groups, and in shops and bookstores all over the world. There are millions of displays of the flag which are positive. The only folks who think it is a symbol of “hate” are the politically correct crowd, some in the media and academia, and those boneheads out in the pasture in their bed sheets. Maybe the rest of us can dedicate ourselves to the education of this bunch!
Thanks for staying through this long letter. I know I can get long-winded when I’m up “on my soapbox”. But this is important, for the future of the Dukes, and for the building of a dialogue about brotherhood in America. We are good people, well-meaning and good-hearted. Here’s how I think we can make a difference:
Please call (513-621-1919), write, or e-mail (at cincinnatisymphony.org) the Cincinnati Symphony and express your feelings about the “Dukes” and what the show means to you and your family. If possible, please don’t get upset and please do not use abusive or divisive language. Just speak to them from your heart and from your memories. Ask them to reevaluate their ill-considered decision. Be firm, be polite, and be as honest as Uncle Jesse.
And please forward this letter to your lists. The internet is a powerful voice for the voiceless. We must let them know that this time, they have gone too far. I know that this letter has been kind of personal, but you know, I take this issue personally. And I believe that America is still a place where the voice of the people can be heard.
God Bless Y’all, and God Bless America!
Yours truly,
Ben
