Pam's House Blend has covered Virginia Governor McConnell's proclamation of April as "Confederate History Month." Virginia's last two governors, Democrats Tim Kaine and Mark Warner declined to issue a similar proclamation. Republican Jim Gilmore, who served from 1998-2002, was the last Virginia governor to set aside a month to celebrate Confederate History.But McDonnell's proclamation was noticeably missing one feature that Gilmore's proclamations all had: a mention of slavery.
Asked why he omitted a mention of slavery from his proclamation, McDonnell said, "There were any number of aspects to that conflict between the states. Obviously, it involved slavery. It involved other issues. But I focused on the ones I thought were most significant for Virginia."
People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan issued the following statement:
"Governor McDonnell's choice to celebrate Confederate History while omitting any mention of slavery is an egregious rewriting of history. Declaring that slavery wasn't 'significant' enough to merit inclusion in his statement is an insult to the Virginians whose past was shaped by the most abhorrent policies of the Confederacy. Issuing a declaration honoring the confederacy is disturbing enough; failing to acknowledge slavery while doing it is inexcusable.
It's not a coincidence that Confederate History Month has returned with the arrival of an African-American president. It may be a very obvious sign of racism, but it certainly isn't the only one. Unfortunately, post-racial American is beginning to look more like racist America."Governor McDonnell has repeatedly shown himself to be far more radical than his Republican predecessors, and much more extreme than the moderate image he projected of himself during his campaign. This new attempt to ignore the worst parts of Virginia's complicated past is irresponsible and dangerous. By appeasing his supporters in the radical Right, he has turned his back on his duty to serve all Virginians. We cannot allow our elected officials to practice this kind of dangerous revisionism."
As of last night, however, it seems like the Governor changed his tune. Here's a clip from CNN. Listen to the guy who says that some people see the Confederacy as all one sided. Hmmm. What's the other side?
Can we have Fat Bald White Guy Month too? That would make me feel special.
ReplyDeleteHow about Deval Patrick declare May as "We kicked your sorry southern as* month".
ReplyDeleteSad. It's the best word to describe Virginia's governor.
ReplyDeleteThe Civil War is over. If you are from Southern Heritage that fought in this war, then so be it. However, do not try to glorify your ancestors' role in this war. They fought for the wrong cause. Learn from their mistakes and move on.
The South fought for slavery, but many of the soldiers weren't aware of it. The less than 1 per cent who owned slaves persuaded large numbers of poor uneducated farm boys that they had a stake in the war. They died in huge numbers for nothing.
ReplyDeleteEven today many demagogic partisans can convince people to vote against their own interests. It's always amazed me.
For those who might wonder, I was raised in the South and spent the first 4 decades of my life there.
Yawn. Identity issues are for boring people.
ReplyDeleteConfederate history month WHO CARES! Its not the color a persons skin that concerns me its the THICKNESS OF IT. Its like NASCAR to me I don't plan on ever attending a race or spending anytime watching it on tv.
ReplyDelete"Those who ingnore the past are condenmed to repeat it". There are many in America today who will not accept an African American President under any circumstance, and would rather drag the country down to make themselves feel important.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a coincidence that Confederate History Month coincides with STD awareness month
ReplyDeleteWhy isn't Ben Jealous ashamed of his fellow blacks over in africa who kept slaves themselves and sold them to america?
ReplyDeleteget a life, none of us have been affected by slavery