Removing and Renaming Confederate Statues, Schools, Streets, etc: Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a reason I chose VA as opposed to DC or MD when moving to this area from Arkansas. I felt as if I would feel least home sick and would be able to retain a bit of my culture from my hometown to my second home here. We need to look ahead, not backwards.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because they lost and we won. America has learned a lesson in the last few years about letting racist, fascist losers regroup and we're done doing it.

If the Germans could come to terms with having been actual Nazis, we should be able to come to terms with fact country is blighted by history of slave-owning racists. Tear that stuff down - most of it went up in era 1910-1970 anyway for reasons that are obvious.

The obvious reason for the statutes put in in the early part of the 1900s was not in reaction to desegregation or the civil rights movement. You're conflating two different motivations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because they lost and we won. America has learned a lesson in the last few years about letting racist, fascist losers regroup and we're done doing it.

If the Germans could come to terms with having been actual Nazis, we should be able to come to terms with fact country is blighted by history of slave-owning racists. Tear that stuff down - most of it went up in era 1910-1970 anyway for reasons that are obvious.

The obvious reason for the statutes put in in the early part of the 1900s was not in reaction to desegregation or the civil rights movement. You're conflating two different motivations.

Yeah - sure. Early 1900s with the Klan at their hayday? Yeah - you are right - totally different motivations

[Anonymous]

Thankfully LoCo seems to be having a board election this year or in the coming years, likely allowing for Republicans to regain the majority in the county. Time to put a halt to all this nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, OP, but this is really bad trolling. Someone from Fauquier County would not describe themselves as from “southern country Virginia.”

Not sure what to tell you, other than to study the map harder next time.

OP here. I was talking about Fauquier county being culturally southern, as it was growing up and still is today. I just wanted to emphasize that I come from a more conservative part of “Northern Virginia” (if you even consider it a part of) and highlight any bias I may have. Trust me, friends driving through Warrenton tell me they couldn’t tell the difference from a small city in North Carolina or Tennessee.

NP here, thinking about moving to Fauquier in the near future, is it really that southern?

[Anonymous]

The nazis based their racial purity and segregation laws on those state laws in the South that imposed Jim Crow.

Sorry, but that’s a sh#t legacy when the nazis admire you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is shameful we ever had statues to those treasonous traitors. The reckoning is long overdue.

They weren't treasonous traitors. Stick to facts.

I don't mind taking down the statues but there's a lot of recent revisionist history from both sides.

Don't "both sides" it. They chose to secede from, and then fought, the rest of the country (the union) over their wish to keep slaves. The desire for unity rather than calling it what is was is an open siore in the body of this country that has never healed and won't until it has fresh air and sunlight.

The first PP is one who was revising history. It is definitely both sides doing it.

When I went to school, we were taught that the US was an amazing country because we had a civil war and recovered from it instead of being irreconcilably split, as happens in other countries. I thought that was a positive part of our history, that we successfully reunified. But in the past few years, I'm not sure that's true anymore.

I think that you are actually correct to question such a triumphant narrative. There is still a lot of work to be done before we can truly become an amazing, unified country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a reason I chose VA as opposed to DC or MD when moving to this area from Arkansas. I felt as if I would feel least home sick and would be able to retain a bit of my culture from my hometown to my second home here. We need to look ahead, not backwards.

+1000

lol "culture"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is shameful we ever had statues to those treasonous traitors. The reckoning is long overdue.

They weren't treasonous traitors. Stick to facts.

I don't mind taking down the statues but there's a lot of recent revisionist history from both sides.

Don't "both sides" it. They chose to secede from, and then fought, the rest of the country (the union) over their wish to keep slaves. The desire for unity rather than calling it what is was is an open siore in the body of this country that has never healed and won't until it has fresh air and sunlight.

The first PP is one who was revising history. It is definitely both sides doing it.

When I went to school, we were taught that the US was an amazing country because we had a civil war and recovered from it instead of being irreconcilably split, as happens in other countries. I thought that was a positive part of our history, that we successfully reunified. But in the past few years, I'm not sure that's true anymore.

I think that you are actually correct to question such a triumphant narrative. There is still a lot of work to be done before we can truly become an amazing, unified country.

Demonizing current Southerners ain't it. Taking down statues is one thing, wanting to kick out states or people is another. There's a lot of work to do. I don't see many people trying to do any of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virginia has a long history of being a southern state and has a deep history with southern culture and ties to the confederacy. Northern Virginia in particular, with the Arlington Cemetery’s connection with Robert E Lee, whom led the Army of Northern Virginia, and the wide spread usage of confederates like Stonewall Jackson High School in PWCS and Robert E Lee High School in FCPS seems to have continually played a part in modern Virginia history throughout the state. Not to mention highways and streets dedicated to Confederates and segregationists like Robert E Lee and Harry Byrd still remain.

This unique attatchment to our history seems to be most or entirely prevalent in Virginia as opposed to DC or Maryland, and has never been a problem for the past century to half a century, through progressive movements and such. However, ever since the slain of George Floyd and the riots in 2020, there seems to have been a new attempt to pit the blame on the “monuments” that apparently glorize these views, and to radically erase them from history and forget about them once and for all. I seem to check google maps and am seemingly forced to learn new road names Like Langston Blvd in Arlington on a weekly basis. From my perspective, being a native of Fauquier county in southern country Virginia and spending lots of time in rural Loudoun and Prince William county, it’s a great change to what I’m used to.

Why the call for action now? Are we really suppose the blame people whom lived in an era where slavery and segregation was an unarguable stance that was unanimous among all politicians? What good does it really do, as it seemingly hasn’t seen a decrease in any sort of statistic that they intended to target. Do you support such action against these historical landmarks? Would love to know what the general consensus is, especially from other Virginians.

Well gosh! You've raised a lot of questions here. Where are you getting the idea that the widespread usage of venerating confederates "has NEVER been a problem for the past century to half century"? And what makes you think that slavery and segregation was an "unarguable stance that was unanimous among ALL politicians"?
Those are some sweepingly incorrect generalizations. Do you have any support for them?

As to your last question, I'm glad that these changes are finally happening. I think, to quote you, that "it's a great change". It gives me a modicum of hope to see significant steps forward that celebrate LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

I'd be happy to come up with a few contemporary documents refuting your assertions -- if you're interested.

https://lincolnquakers.com/2020/11/04/united-on-the-right-side-of-history-john-c-underwood-and-samuel-m-janney/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, OP, but this is really bad trolling. Someone from Fauquier County would not describe themselves as from “southern country Virginia.”

Not sure what to tell you, other than to study the map harder next time.

OP here. I was talking about Fauquier county being culturally southern, as it was growing up and still is today. I just wanted to emphasize that I come from a more conservative part of “Northern Virginia” (if you even consider it a part of) and highlight any bias I may have. Trust me, friends driving through Warrenton tell me they couldn’t tell the difference from a small city in North Carolina or Tennessee.

NP here, thinking about moving to Fauquier in the near future, is it really that southern?

Used to live there years ago, my neighbors had confederate flags porched on their flag poles if that tells you anything.

[Anonymous]

I don’t really care about removing the names except fir the fact that it drives cons crazy and enrages them.

That’s really the only reason I support it.

[Anonymous]

All human beings are disappointing. Sometimes it just takes longer to discover why... We already know this and should just stop naming things after people.
Food and Leisure are the way to go! Living at the corner of Milkshake Rd & Sudoku Ln sounds nice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virginia has a long history of being a southern state and has a deep history with southern culture and ties to the confederacy. Northern Virginia in particular, with the Arlington Cemetery’s connection with Robert E Lee, whom led the Army of Northern Virginia, and the wide spread usage of confederates like Stonewall Jackson High School in PWCS and Robert E Lee High School in FCPS seems to have continually played a part in modern Virginia history throughout the state. Not to mention highways and streets dedicated to Confederates and segregationists like Robert E Lee and Harry Byrd still remain.

This unique attatchment to our history seems to be most or entirely prevalent in Virginia as opposed to DC or Maryland, and has never been a problem for the past century to half a century, through progressive movements and such. However, ever since the slain of George Floyd and the riots in 2020, there seems to have been a new attempt to pit the blame on the “monuments” that apparently glorize these views, and to radically erase them from history and forget about them once and for all. I seem to check google maps and am seemingly forced to learn new road names Like Langston Blvd in Arlington on a weekly basis. From my perspective, being a native of Fauquier county in southern country Virginia and spending lots of time in rural Loudoun and Prince William county, it’s a great change to what I’m used to.

Why the call for action now? Are we really suppose the blame people whom lived in an era where slavery and segregation was an unarguable stance that was unanimous among all politicians? What good does it really do, as it seemingly hasn’t seen a decrease in any sort of statistic that they intended to target. Do you support such action against these historical landmarks? Would love to know what the general consensus is, especially from other Virginians.

Do you imagine the slaves thought slavery was fine? That if was just part of the culture and not something horrific? Did they not blame white southerners?

Of course they knew it was wrong. So did abolitionists at the time. The "era" is no defense because LOTS of people in that era knew slavery was wrong. The fact you think it was culturally okay at that time us exactly why we need to take down statues and rename public buildings that honor those people.

Plus, no kid should have to go to school in a building named after someone who thought she was property.

Hilarious that OP's main objection is to having to learn new names. Heaven forbid you have to extend yourself to learn something new! But, somehow, I suspect you weren't this mad when the Fairfax County Parkway got a new route number.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginia has a long history of being a southern state and has a deep history with southern culture and ties to the confederacy. Northern Virginia in particular, with the Arlington Cemetery’s connection with Robert E Lee, whom led the Army of Northern Virginia, and the wide spread usage of confederates like Stonewall Jackson High School in PWCS and Robert E Lee High School in FCPS seems to have continually played a part in modern Virginia history throughout the state. Not to mention highways and streets dedicated to Confederates and segregationists like Robert E Lee and Harry Byrd still remain.

This unique attatchment to our history seems to be most or entirely prevalent in Virginia as opposed to DC or Maryland, and has never been a problem for the past century to half a century, through progressive movements and such. However, ever since the slain of George Floyd and the riots in 2020, there seems to have been a new attempt to pit the blame on the “monuments” that apparently glorize these views, and to radically erase them from history and forget about them once and for all. I seem to check google maps and am seemingly forced to learn new road names Like Langston Blvd in Arlington on a weekly basis. From my perspective, being a native of Fauquier county in southern country Virginia and spending lots of time in rural Loudoun and Prince William county, it’s a great change to what I’m used to.

Why the call for action now? Are we really suppose the blame people whom lived in an era where slavery and segregation was an unarguable stance that was unanimous among all politicians? What good does it really do, as it seemingly hasn’t seen a decrease in any sort of statistic that they intended to target. Do you support such action against these historical landmarks? Would love to know what the general consensus is, especially from other Virginians.

Do you imagine the slaves thought slavery was fine? That if was just part of the culture and not something horrific? Did they not blame white southerners?

Of course they knew it was wrong. So did abolitionists at the time. The "era" is no defense because LOTS of people in that era knew slavery was wrong. The fact you think it was culturally okay at that time us exactly why we need to take down statues and rename public buildings that honor those people.

Plus, no kid should have to go to school in a building named after someone who thought she was property.

Hilarious that OP's main objection is to having to learn new names. Heaven forbid you have to extend yourself to learn something new! But, somehow, I suspect you weren't this mad when the Fairfax County Parkway got a new route number.

DP. See, this here's your problem. There are kids today, and there are people in the past. All of the people in this nation's history, they all made this country as it is today, for better or worse. But they are not here today. Whatever they thought or did, they thought or did it then. We cannot change it, and it cannot change us.

You are saying that the people of today are responsible for the past. But that's not true. People today can learn from the past, or can ignore it. But no one here today is responsible for whatever people did in the past, no one today bears the blame for what people did in the past.