The Back Story of Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation
1July 4, 2012 by DKC
The Emancipation Proclamation
So often we hear the narrative about Lincoln; the great emancipator and friend of the blacks. According to Harold Holzer there is more to his signing of the Emancipation Proclamation than what has been conventionally understood. I just listened to a great interview with Holzer, a prominent Lincoln historian. Here is one quote from the interview,
He [Lincoln] wanted this message out,” Holzer explains. “What’s important to keep in mind is that he had written the Emancipation Proclamation. It was languishing in a drawer or burning a hole in his pocket. He knew he was going to do this, but he wanted Northern Americans who were dubious about marching toward racial equality to be assured that he was not doing this for the black race. He was doing this for the Union, to reunite the country, to defeat the rebellion, and he had no concern about blacks, their feelings, their resonance. He does have his finger in the wind.
Listen to the interview below:
The Rooftop 
I’m so glad to have found your blog. So few people know or want to learn about the true facts of our history, much less be willing to face the facts. Being willing to hear the good, bad and the ugly of all sides, but more importantly to sit with the person who doesn’t agree with you, and hear each other, listen, discuss and learn. You may not sway each other but hopefully questions can be answered, barriers broden, and bridges built. I have such a heart for people. But so often I’m so afraid of ofending someone.