Posted on Aug 23, 2016
Should we ignore our history because of the injury it may have caused at the time? I am not offended by General Lee. Are you?
18.1K
249
169
31
31
0
http://www.news-press.com/story/opinion/contributors/2015/08/20/general-lee-portrait-needs-removed/32085673/
You cannot erase history by taking down a photo or denying deeply felt affiliation. You can also admire the dignity of a leader without believing in their cause. There are truly exceptions to this, but General Lee died as a patriot! Right?
You cannot erase history by taking down a photo or denying deeply felt affiliation. You can also admire the dignity of a leader without believing in their cause. There are truly exceptions to this, but General Lee died as a patriot! Right?
Military History
United States
Civil War
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 47
General Lee played a major role in the History of the Untied States. We should not ignore or blacken out this part of history just because someone might feel "offended" by it.
(13)
(0)
COL Lee Flemming
Capt Michael Greene - true, but we are "unified states" vs. a collection of states. A stronger union as a result of the war.
(1)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
As I recall wasn't Lee opposed to the concept of secession? He only agreed to join for a want to protect his home State of Virginia and didn't agree with slavery either. He apparently argued in favor of black Soldiers during the war.
Either way.
His tactics are something to be studied, Lee was a good General and with fewer resources and lesser equipment still managed to hold his own. Things can be learned from his battles and style of leadership even today.
Either way.
His tactics are something to be studied, Lee was a good General and with fewer resources and lesser equipment still managed to hold his own. Things can be learned from his battles and style of leadership even today.
(0)
(0)
1LT William Clardy
Capt Michael Greene, Captain Lee also made critical contributions to the United States' victory over Mexico.
And a lot of patriotic Americans died serving under General Lee's command. Remember, patriotism was defined differently then -- John Brown was executed for treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia, not treason against the United States.
And a lot of patriotic Americans died serving under General Lee's command. Remember, patriotism was defined differently then -- John Brown was executed for treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia, not treason against the United States.
(0)
(0)
Capt Michael Greene
I agree we should study Lee; we should study Mao and Giap and bin Laden. But we should not venerate Lee. One day he was leading US Army soldiers; the next day he was doing his level best to kill them.
(0)
(0)
From the "Lion King"
Adult Simba: I know what I have to do. But going back means I'll have to face my past. I've been running from it for so long.
[Rafiki hits Simba on the head with his stick]
Adult Simba: Ow! Jeez, what was that for?
Rafiki: It doesn't matter. It's in the past.
[laughs]
Adult Simba: Yeah, but it still hurts.
Rafiki: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it.
This has to be one of the most profound lines I had ever heard in a Disney movie.
Adult Simba: I know what I have to do. But going back means I'll have to face my past. I've been running from it for so long.
[Rafiki hits Simba on the head with his stick]
Adult Simba: Ow! Jeez, what was that for?
Rafiki: It doesn't matter. It's in the past.
[laughs]
Adult Simba: Yeah, but it still hurts.
Rafiki: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it.
This has to be one of the most profound lines I had ever heard in a Disney movie.
(12)
(0)
8
8
0
There is a difference between honoring someone and erasing history. To use the inevitable nazi Germany comparison (and no, I'm not saying Lee equals Hitler) , there is no denying that Hitler at one time was the leader of Germany, and that NAZI soldiers fought bravely. But that doesn't mean it is appropriate to fly a swastika flag on the grounds of the German capitol today or have statues to Hitler or his portrait in prominent places.
So I believe equating the removal of those fixtures honoring confederate leaders from public spaces is a far cry from erasing history. History lives on in books and museums, and should be studied in schools. But that doesn't mean we need to honor those who fought for the right to allow certain human beings to own other human beings as property, and buy and sell them, no different from the way they owned a horse.
So I believe equating the removal of those fixtures honoring confederate leaders from public spaces is a far cry from erasing history. History lives on in books and museums, and should be studied in schools. But that doesn't mean we need to honor those who fought for the right to allow certain human beings to own other human beings as property, and buy and sell them, no different from the way they owned a horse.
(8)
(0)
CW2 (Join to see)
SCPO Jason McLaughlin - Awesome point about Hitler's German Pride!!! And it is also the perfect example of why we should NEVER stop learning about our past and exactly what happened! By trying to delete or change the past, we shape our future! If we were not taught about Hitler and the atrocities he committed, what would he become to the future generations?
(0)
(0)
SCPO Jason McLaughlin
CW2 (Join to see) - There is a difference between learning about history and glorifying history. The monuments to the Confederacy, prideful display of the Confederate flag, and the statues of Confederate Generals are not displayed as an example of what not to do. They are why the saying "The South will rise again!" exists.
(3)
(0)
CW2 (Join to see)
SCPO Jason McLaughlin - Fair statement...and I cannot argue with that. I just worry sometimes that people would like certain names to never be spoken or heard again. To me, this would be a grave mistake!
(0)
(0)
SCPO Jason McLaughlin
CW2 (Join to see) - History should never be erased, but we as a society should carefully consider which portions of our history we choose to put forth as representing our values.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google