Daily Record writer proposes razing Lee-Jackson statue?
Just bringing something to the top from our previous post about Johns Hopkins refusing to rent space to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Robbie Whelan of the Daily Record:
We’re not sure, exactly, if the incoming president will have any stronger sympathies for Confederate memorialists, but this little kerfuffle points to a larger question: Why, in Baltimore, is there still a statue commemorating generals Lee and Jackson? Given that what they stood for was, among other things, a divided America with a South that depended on slave labor, how must Baltimore’s 400,000 African-Americans feel about having such a statue in front of a public park — especially so close to one of the state’s most enlightened learning institutions?
At the very least, Whelan seems to advocate moving the statue elsewhere if not demolishing it. We’re curious if those are his true feelings. He can have this forum for an unedited response by sending us email to mail@insidecharmcity.com.
This was written in the On The Record blog and not in a news story. Whelan is a 2006 graduate of Johns Hopkins who is a folk musician with interests in Irish and Scottish music. He has written numerous articles for Baltimore’s City Paper, most of which are arts related. He is listed on the blog post as a business writer, while the Daily Record’s website lists him as a real estate and development writer.
You can leave comments agreeing or disagreeing with Whelan on his original blog post. Robbie Whelan can be contacted by calling 443-524-8160 or sending email to robbie.whelan@mddailyrecord.com. The Daily Record doesn’t appear to have an ombudsman on staff (I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.) You can contact their executive editor, Tom Linthicum, by calling 443-524-8150 or writing email to tom.linthicum@mddailyrecord.com.
Related:
Pictures from the 2007 event
Sons of Confederate Veterans
MD Division, SCV
Gillmor Camp of the SCV
6 Comments »
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1
It is about time treason season came to an end. They should have taken Lee and shot him. The Rosenbergs got that treatment for far less than these scum bags.
Comment by I am so wise — November 20, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
2
Before one removes or destroys the monument, you really should know as much about the men as possible, the cause they stood for, and what is historically accurate. We have become overwhelmed by politically correct history in this country, and the truth is very much obscured. When I became a reenactor, I, too, believed in the national line. But my research revealed a very different picture. I am surprised to find an educated person believing the line without any research with primary sources.
If nothing else, think what an affront removing the monument would be to the many Confederate Americans who reside in and around Baltimore. Don’t we have civil rights, too?
Comment by Sgt. Kim Drapkin — November 21, 2008 @ 7:42 am
3
The monument was put up for a good reason and should stay there for the same reason — to remember two of the greatest men who ever lived, and to remind us of the original Constitution which was lost when the Union won that war.
Militarily, they were outstanding. As gentlemen of honor, they were peerless. As Christians, they were humble and devout. We should all strive to follow in their footsteps.
Comment by Charles — November 22, 2008 @ 6:21 pm
4
“If nothing else, think what an affront removing the monument would be to the many Confederate Americans who reside in and around Baltimore. Don’t we have civil rights, too?”
I don’t think that the monument should be removed but Kim Drapkin your not a Confedrate American and the only people that can make that statement have been dead for over 80 + years.
Comment by Born in Baltimore — November 22, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
5
I am not a southern sympathizer by any means (even though I grew up in the south) but removing, or even moving, the stature is unnecessary. Maryland was a divided state. If we can keep the state song(Maryland, My Maryland)which sets a much stronger pro-confederacy message than any statue then I don’t see why the statue would be cause for concern. I walked past the statue about two weeks ago and still would have been hardpressed to tell you who it was of prior to reading Whelan’s article. If it really is a concern, then an interpretive sign can be put up but you can’t whitewash Maryland’s history to cut out its southern leanings. If anything, I think there should be MORE information available about Maryland’s role in the civil war. That said, glorification of the confederacy makes me queasy!
Comment by betsy — November 24, 2008 @ 10:33 am
6
The Lee-Jackson Monument in Baltimore is one of the finest Confederate memorials in America. It should remain forever right where it is. Maryland’s history as a Southern state must not be sacrificed and/or re-written by hateful idiots who (for reasons of political correctness) want to see the monument removed.
Comment by Michael R. McGarrett — August 14, 2009 @ 12:07 pm