Since the tragic murder of 9 African-American churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina two weeks ago, the Southern United States has been in the middle of reevaluating how it remembers its Cconfederate history.
South Carolina began the process to remove the Southern Cross, also called the Confederate Battle Flag, from its state grounds. Walmart stopped selling items emblazoned with the battle flag. According to Dixie Flag Manufacturer Inc owner Pete Van de Putte, the largest flag makers in the country have all stopped selling the confederate battle flag.
Texas has its own history with the confederacy that is being discussed statewide. On the campus of the University of Texas, a petition is circulating to remove the statue of Jefferson Davis, the president of the confederacy.
The capital grounds have several monuments to the confederacy, but none to the abolishment of slavery or to slaves.
San Antonio has a several reminders of the confederacy with the battle flag flying on public areas, the confederate memorial in Travis Park downtown. Former mayor and HUD Secretary Julian Castro recently called for Robert E. Lee High School to be renamed. The high school had for years sported the confederate battle flag mural as well as athletic uniforms and outfits bearing the symbol. According to North East Independent School District, the mural was painted over in 1991.
How do remember the history without celebrating the cause? Is removing offensive symbols a whitewashing of our history? Is it hypocritical for people to condemn the south when the nations founders participated in slavery?
Guests:
- S.C. Gwynne, journalist and author of "Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson"
- Edmund T Gordon, professor and chair of the African and African Diaspora Studies Department
