I admit that I am a Southerner who was taught that The War was about economics. Raised in Memphis, resident of Richmond for several years, and now a resident of Mississippi, in a multi-racial neighborhood. I do not deny that racism is alive. It was very prevalent in New Haven, Connecticut when we were there and apparently still is, so I don’t see this simply as a Southern problem.
At a recent anti-racism seminar, I was struck by how much history most of us still don’t know. I was struck by how religion was used to create and justify the system of racism just as it was in creating and justifying a male dominance over women. Religion has often been used by those in power or claiming power, but that is not where I want to head in response to your interview and the various talk among non-academics that I have heard during the last ten years or so.
What I want to highlight was the point made about only being taught a certain point of view regarding history. Most people I know want to know the full story as much as possible. I believe it is the Virginia History Museum in Richmond that has presented its history from the points of view of all those involved. This is the goal that many people would like to see. They want the full story told. When there are unknowns, people have a tendency to create stories to fill the gaps. Will destroying the statues erase the story of how the Southerners responded? Will it erase the knowledge of the white supremacy movement? Would removing reminders of the Holocaust be an opening to allowing such horrors happen again? These are the questions I have been hearing.
Another question that is not being addressed, at least from what I have heard, regards the statues that are not Confederate Statutes. Does Richmond take down the statue of Arthur Ashe which looks like he is beating children or move it? Does it take down recent statutes that seek to portray a greater diversity of leaders? Over all, how do we educate and have all the voices heard?
Excellent interview. Many thanks to Karen Cox for her important work.
I admit that I am a Southerner who was taught that The War was about economics. Raised in Memphis, resident of Richmond for several years, and now a resident of Mississippi, in a multi-racial neighborhood. I do not deny that racism is alive. It was very prevalent in New Haven, Connecticut when we were there and apparently still is, so I don’t see this simply as a Southern problem.
At a recent anti-racism seminar, I was struck by how much history most of us still don’t know. I was struck by how religion was used to create and justify the system of racism just as it was in creating and justifying a male dominance over women. Religion has often been used by those in power or claiming power, but that is not where I want to head in response to your interview and the various talk among non-academics that I have heard during the last ten years or so.
What I want to highlight was the point made about only being taught a certain point of view regarding history. Most people I know want to know the full story as much as possible. I believe it is the Virginia History Museum in Richmond that has presented its history from the points of view of all those involved. This is the goal that many people would like to see. They want the full story told. When there are unknowns, people have a tendency to create stories to fill the gaps. Will destroying the statues erase the story of how the Southerners responded? Will it erase the knowledge of the white supremacy movement? Would removing reminders of the Holocaust be an opening to allowing such horrors happen again? These are the questions I have been hearing.
Another question that is not being addressed, at least from what I have heard, regards the statues that are not Confederate Statutes. Does Richmond take down the statue of Arthur Ashe which looks like he is beating children or move it? Does it take down recent statutes that seek to portray a greater diversity of leaders? Over all, how do we educate and have all the voices heard?