It’s not you; it’s me. I think it’s time to secede from this relationship

2009 May 8
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by ASHP Staff

 

Igor Panarin, a russian professor, predicts that US will dissolve into several smaller states

Igor Panarin, a russian professor, predicts that the US will dissolve into several smaller states

Secession seems to be everywhere in the media lately. It’s been long known that states with histories of rebellion and independence have had fringe secession movements. Vermont’s Second Vermont Republic,  Texas’ secession movement, and the Alaskan Independence Movement readily come to mind; however, I was taken aback to hear the news that one third of Georgians (unrelated to the other Georgian independence movement halfway across the world) support secession.  I didn’t even know secession was on the table nor something the mainstream America talked about. Secession in the United States is inextricably linked to the civil war and the tones of racism that accompany it. So why all of a sudden is secession on everyone’s mind? Is it sour grapes over the new Democratic president fueling these talks?

Evidence from other movements seems to support this. Other have tried to become independent in one way or another: The state of Lincoln in the great plains. Others include Baja Arizona, Ozarkia, Jefferson, and so on- these list continues; however, these places persevered despite the differences or perceived slights of representation. Even in New York State we have this problem. There’s a movement in New York City and in Upstate New York to secede from each other based on philosophical differences- however, despite these differences, the movements generally don’t build up enough public support to even approach a time where the legal difficulties (and there are plenty) are worth being discussed. 

I think it’s important for us to discuss our differences, and I don’t think Georgia should be throwing about the term “secession” when really, what they’re looking for may be a government that is responsive to those who feel slighted by the current administration, but then again, you can’t please everyone all the time- right? So perhaps this secession talk will never die.

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from → General Social History

2 Comments
2009 May 11
Ellen Noonan permalink

Don’t forget Staten Island secession: a ballot referendum question on that subject is credited with helping Rudy Giuliani get elected as mayor in 1993 (it turned out the more conservative Staten Island voters in larger than usual numbers). Also, see Hendrik Hertzberg’s New Yorker commentary that lays out a possible secession scenario:

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2009/05/04/090504taco_talk_hertzberg

2009 May 12
Sean Griffin permalink

Interesting post, I was intrigued to learn more about secessionist movements both historical and contemporary… However I’m not sure I’m convinced that “secession is on everyone’s mind.” The scenario depicted by Mr. Panarin’s map is clearly ludicrous, it’s hard to believe that such a person is taken seriously even in Russia (for a similarly preposterous vision of the future of the world’s states, see the companion “Map of Russia’s Third Empire” http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/177-a-map-of-russia’s-third-empire-2053/). Moreover, you missed the caveat the the “one-third of Georgians” statistic refers to Georgia Republicans — which means about 18% of Georgians overall, according to the Daily Kos. Still a high number, but the qualification suggests that “sour grapes” are indeed the decisive factor, as you allude…

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