Over
the last several weeks, since the shooting in South Carolina, there has been
increasing cries for the taking down of the Confederate battle flag. This past week, members of both parties in
the South Carolina legislature with support from people across racial and political lines lowered the Confederate battle flag for the last
time. One can argue for the meaning of
the symbol and there are certainly different interpretations, but what must be
agreed upon is that it was time. Yet,
this does not allow for a blanket Confederate application.
Throughout
American history, South Carolina has stood as one of the most obdurate states
in the Union. In 1828, it threatened to
succeed over the issue of a tariff passed by the John Quincy Adams
administration. First in 1856 and then in 1860, it
threatened to succeed over a possible election of a Republican. When Abraham Lincoln won in 1860, South Carolina
carried out its threat in the following month. For over a century, the state has been
defiant over federal encroachment. So,
it is fitting that it is only South Carolina that should determine when to
lower the flag.
However,
my stance on the flag does not extend to all things Confederate. Recently, Baltimore officials and those
throughout the state are having a conversation about removing all symbols and
references to the Confederacy, including statues and other memorials dedicated
to Confederate soldiers and leaders. As
a history teacher, I have a particular problem with this for a couple of
reasons.
One,
the monuments are to the fallen; those considered by the U.S. government as veterans. The idea that some
officials, including the embattled mayor of Baltimore, would do away with the dedication
to those who fell during the Civil War is shocking and an affront. Our monuments do not take into account the
personal beliefs of those honored – merely considering their dedication and
willingness to sacrifice for their country.
Such measures are unacceptable and should outrage Americans. People want to get
rid of a statue of Robert E. Lee – why?
Because he fought with a belief in slavery? So did some in the North. The North was not a paragon of racial
equality and harmony. Should we get rid
of those statues and monuments as well?
Two,
this is an attack on history. One cannot
wipe away the history of an era simply because one does not like it. History is replete with those
who seek to alter or abolish history and typically, such people are numbered as
some of the worst dictators and tyrants.
What is being considered here sets an abhorrent precedent that leaves
history to the whims of fancy. In their minds, Baltimore officials may think they
are striking a blow against prejudice and hatred but what they are actually
doing is robbing a people of a history that is never perfect and never
pure. History’s “humanness” is in its imperfection, its constant struggle to get things
right. To judge the past by the
standards of the present is to write off much of our past.
The
battle flag is a symbol resurrected during the mid-20th century to
represent not the South but the worst of its character. The abolition of the flag from public buildings and
events is right. The wish to alter or
wipe out the past by taking down statues and monuments to those who served and
died for the South is ridiculous. Once a
group of people take it upon themselves to edit that history which they find
objectionable, we are indeed in dangerous territory. We risk losing ourselves when we lose our
history.
