Policy on Hate Groups

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April 9, 2010

Recently, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, issued a proclamation declaring April, Confederate History month in his State. This action was immediately met with cries of racism, white supremacy and criticism from the media and various members of the Virginia Legislature. Several national news outlets have covered the story and most have made their best efforts to denounce the decree, since the original wording did not include the reference to slavery as the primary cause of the War Between the States. Unfortunately, Virginia Governor McDonnell revised his previous statement and included a paragraph blaming slavery for the war.

As would be expected, the opposition accepted the revision, but continue their attacks of intolerance and malice, some of which is directed toward the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

For the record:

The Sons of Confederate Veterans, established in 1896, does not condone nor support the institution of slavery and furthermore we understand the broader picture historically, that brought about the war. In short, several decades of dispute over high protective tariffs, which benefited Northern States and the concern over the expansion of a more powerful Central Government, diminishing the individual sovereignty of States, led to the secession of the Southern Republics. Secession was merely the “trigger” that prompted Lincoln to invade the South and force them to remain in the Union. While slavery was an issue of the time, “secession” was clearly and definably the primary cause.

The SCV has for many years, declared its position on hate groups and published the policies in our journals and numerous printed materials. Therefore, to reiterate our position, we the South Carolina Division, SCV, republish the Policy on Hate Groups, without apology, for all who may be interested.

South Carolina Division

Sons of Confederate Veterans

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South Carolina Division
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Policy on Hate Groups

The Sons of Confederate Veterans is not a hate group and The South Carolina Division, SCV does not knowingly allow anyone with ties to hate groups to join. The SCV has removed, and will remove, any member who expresses racist sentiments. Specifically, the following is not allowed and will be grounds for immediate dismissal:

-Membership in or attempting to recruit SCV members for racist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan, American Nazi Party or National Alliance.

-Disseminating racist literature to fellow SCV members by mail or in person.

-Membership in any organization promoting the violent overthrow of the United States government.

ALL MEMBERS OF THE SCV MUST BE AWARE OF THESE RESTRICTIONS AS THEY WILL BE VIGOROUSLY ENFORCED.

Loving the South and defending its culture, symbols and heritage DOES NOT MEAN HATE. Many SCV members are descendents of a varied cross section of descendents of the old south, such as: Native-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Jewish and Christian Confederates. These groups’ contributions to Southern culture have made the South a beautiful and unique region. To deny their descendents membership in our organization would betray our principles and the very ancestors we honor. We welcome all descendants of Confederate Soldiers, Sailors and Marines or those who materially aided the South in its struggle for independence.

Revised: 7-25-08, SC Division Executive Council

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