Since high school in the late 80s and early 90s, I've seen the emergence of identify politics rise out of the politically correct movement. One of my favorite satires of that time commenting on this cultural shift was PCU. But it is not surprising to see how many people have fallen into the group trap over the years. Culture has been breading such group identity for a long time. Look at our schools and the spirit we hold for them against other schools. It is in everyone sport. Who remembers when we were rooting for either team, "taste great" or "less filling"? Or, who is alive today that can remember the Cola wars? Are you for Coke or Pepsi? We as a species are prone to tribalize and form into our clans. We pride ourselves on wearing our group's colors. We showcase our tribe's brands and uniforms. Well, I'm an individual. One of over 7 billion individuals. There is no one else in this world like me. I cannot be grouped into any single group where we are completely alike in all things. I will not be placed into a group that another group deems fit for me. I am an individual.
In the aftermath of the American Civil War, personal accounts from soldiers offered raw glimpses into the brutal realities of conflict, far removed from romanticized histories. George Cary Eggleston’s Southern Soldier Stories captures the unvarnished experiences of Confederate troops, emphasizing not just battles but the everyday struggles against scarcity and deprivation. This excerpt from his collection, titled “Random Facts,” vividly illustrates the ingenuity and endurance of Southern soldiers amid profound shortages—of clothing, medicine, ammunition, and even food—highlighting how necessity forged both practical innovations and spiritual resilience. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war, where survival often depended on makeshift solutions and unyielding determination.
https://humblymybrain.substack.com/p/confederate-soldiers-hardships-scarcity
