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Robert E Lee statue removed in Charlottesville

44 Comments
By SARAH RANKIN

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44 Comments

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Good, about time.

-3 ( +15 / -18 )

Removing a piece of history from American history.

-6 ( +14 / -20 )

The history will always be there, the statue will be gone.

2 ( +16 / -14 )

Robert E. Lee himself didn't want Confederate statues to be put up after the war. As he reasonably assumed they would only serve to divide people further.

5 ( +15 / -10 )

That kind of statue is hurtful to many, can they just put it in a museum instead.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

All the Greek and Roman statues throughout Europe should go too then.

Errrr why is that exactly? Did Diocletian fight a secession war to keep his slaves at any point?

The Pyramids should be dismantled, they were built by slaves.

Actually, they weren't.

https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/were-the-egyptian-pyramids-built-by-slaves/

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Good!!!

Those who support confederacy and it’s symbols can go find another country. And they can take their leader with them!!!!

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

Goodbye and good riddance. Why have a statue of a traitor to Union in the first place? Don't like it then just secede again and don't come back.

Commodore PerryToday 07:15 am JST

Removing a piece of history from American history

There's a lot of American history that isn't represented by statues and that statue represents Southern secessionist history. It does NOT represent the UNITED STATES. It represents the Confederate states.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

P. SmithToday  08:13 am JST

Good. Racists traitors to the US should be relegated to the history books, not be honored with statues.

The statue already existed, so is part of US history the same as it being in a book--maybe burn those too. People should learn from it instead of being triggered by it.

And Lee isn't a traitor. First, secession was legal during that period. Second, President Andrew Johnson pardoned most of the Confederate soldiers. The Supreme Court held that this full pardon granted a legal status of innocence to the offenders. Finally, Robert E. Lee's full rights of citizenship were posthumously restored by a congressional resolution to take effect in 1865. So, these people might be racists, but they are not legally traitors. 

Anyway if the cancel culture is really upset by these kind of statues, they have a lot of work set out for them--lots more statues, monuments and so forth to tear down.

Let's go after the guy who said this; sounds like s racist doesn't it:

I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races,

while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.

Next in line for destruction, the Lincoln Memorial, And get a head start on the canceling and tear up all your five dollar bills.

-9 ( +9 / -18 )

If you had an abusive father as a child, you wouldn't keep a photo of him on the fireplace. This isn't about re-writing or deleting history, that's impossible. It's about statue of it in a public space.

This really is not difficult to understand.

0 ( +10 / -10 )

The rightwing capital invading types do love their racism and the symbols thereof. But never hear them asking to have Hirohito immortalized like they want Lee to be. Both invaded the United States and tried to defeat it.

But their racism covers Asians I guess as well as blacks. Maybe a statue of King George III would be acceptable.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

There are no statues of Hitler, Goebbels and Himmler anywhere in Germany, and they have never left any history book.

Statues are for glorification, not for history lessons. If you don't understand the difference between the two, you're either very dishonest or quite simple a dum-dum.

5 ( +13 / -8 )

MatToday  08:52 am JST

If you had an abusive father as a child, you wouldn't keep a photo of him on the fireplace. This isn't about re-writing or deleting history, that's impossible. It's about statue of it in a public space.

This really is not difficult to understand.

Robert Lee's child was taking down that statue? Who said Robert E. Lee was abusive?

And the fireplace is not in a public space--it would be private, right?

So it actually is difficult to understand what you are saying.

Regardless, if the libs are going to take down statues of people they deem racist be consistent. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin--they all owned slaves. Franklin D. Roosevelt--he put Americans into internment camps.

So let's start off by going for the big one--the Washington Monument.

Come on libs--let's hear why this is different.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

Repubs and the MAGA-Mob want to keep a statue of someone who waged war on our country and wanted to overthrow the government...

Given their actions on Jan 6th, that seems wholly consistent...

I hear they want to erect a statue of the Q Shaman at the Capitol...

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Anyway if the cancel culture is really upset by these kind of statues, they have a lot of work set out for them--lots more statues, monuments and so forth to tear down.

Always amusing to see people trying to cancel an election whine about cancel culture!!!!

So it actually is difficult to understand what you are saying.

Not really difficult for those who have reading and comprehension skills, but then the right wing nutters wouldn’t be right wing nutters if they were smart.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Losers, traitors, and enemies of the US don't get statues.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

JsapcToday  09:02 am JST

There are no statues of Hitler, Goebbels and Himmler anywhere in Germany, and they have never left any history book.

Statues are for glorification, not for history lessons. If you don't understand the difference between the two, you're either very dishonest or quite simple a dum-dum.

Is that supposed to be an analogy? And that is your opinion on the purpose of statues.

So you are comparing George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin with Hitler, Goebbels, and Himmler?

I'm game, if you have a logical progression from that premise. Let it fly!

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

All the Greek and Roman statues throughout Europe should go too then.

The Pyramids should be dismantled, they were built by slaves.

Every statue and I mean EVERY single one should go, even the ones liberals approve of, let’s make it fair and get rid of all of them

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

Commie Perry is begging the question and strawmaning. Literally no one is trying to take down The Lincoln Memorial.

Lincoln wasn't a traitor to the US.

R. Lee is only known for 2 thing. Ordering the murder of US troops because he wanted to own other human beings as property. The other thing he is known for is being a loser. Waving the white flag with his tail between his legs.
7 ( +13 / -6 )

Those who support confederacy and it’s symbols can go find another country. And they can take their leader with them!!!!

You are adamant about this but didn't bat an eyelid when people were tearing down Lincoln statues.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Good. High time we started getting rid of statues honoring racist bigots, fascists, and what not.

bass4funk: "Every statue and I mean EVERY single one should go, even the ones liberals approve of, let’s make it fair and get rid of all of them"

So, you're saying the statue of a little girl, promoting peace and having been a leukemia victim after the atomic bombings is the same as Robert E. Lee. Okay. Gotcha.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Is that supposed to be an analogy?

It's not "supposed to", it actually is.

And that is your opinion on the purpose of statues.

What other purposes do statues serve, exactly?

So you are comparing George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin with Hitler, Goebbels, and Himmler?

Nope. I'm comparing Robert E. Lee to Hitler and Goebbels.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Some people really need to be aware why the confederate statues were erected in the first place.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Confederate_monuments_and_memorials

Confederate monument-building has often been part of widespread campaigns to promote and justify Jim Crow laws in the South. According to the American Historical Association (AHA), the erection of Confederate monuments during the early 20th century was "part and parcel of the initiation of legally mandated segregation and widespread disenfranchisement across the South." According to the AHA, memorials to the Confederacy erected during this period "were intended, in part, to obscure the terrorism required to overthrow Reconstruction, and to intimidate African Americans politically and isolate them from the mainstream of public life." A later wave of monument building coincided with the civil rights movement, and according to the AHA "these symbols of white supremacy are still being invoked for similar purposes." According to Smithsonian Magazine, "far from simply being markers of historic events and people, as proponents argue, these memorials were created and funded by Jim Crow governments to pay homage to a slave-owning society and to serve as blunt assertions of dominance over African-Americans."

This what you are openly defending here. Pure, unadultered racism.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

KKK had rallied around the lee statue after it was unveiled in 1924.

It’s no surprise the klan apologists are upset when it got taken down!!!

3 ( +10 / -7 )

bass4funkToday  09:29 am JST

Every statue and I mean EVERY single one should go, even the ones liberals approve of, let’s make it fair and get rid of all of them

They're not listening, not surprisingly.

So let's hear it--Robert Lee owned slaves, as did George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin---so take down the statues and memorials to them or not? And Abe Lincoln was a racist!

Very very simple question.

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Glorifying a racist past is the GOP’s racists wing’s final effort at staying relevant.

Racist? The Democrats created the klan, the current President eulogized a former Grand Wizard who said atrocious things about blacks, the same man that Hillary called a mentor.

While the world turns tolerant these bigots go the other way

Well, both are still around having done nothing for the black community. You want to get rid of Lee’s statue, fine! Just don’t make phony outrageous claims that Democrats are the champions of freedom democracy and racial harmony and equality.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

So let's hear it--Robert Lee owned slaves, as did George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin---so take down the statues and memorials to them or not? And Abe Lincoln was a racist!

What a lame and boring question. No. We shouldn't tear down their statues. Sure they owned slaves, but that isn't primarily how they are remembered. We don't have statues of Washington or Jefferson to glorify slavery. But the same cannot be said about statues of Lee or other Confederates- Their only purpose is to glorify their efforts, their attempt to rebel against the government, because they wanted to own people.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Racist?

Yes and instead of living in the past try moving into the present.

You want to get rid of Lee’s statue, fine! Just don’t make phony outrageous claims that Democrats are the champions of freedom democracy and racial harmony and equality.

The klansmen sure are hurt at losing lee’s statue, lashing out at everyone and everything is a natural reaction!!!

1 ( +9 / -8 )

bass4funkToday  09:52 am JST

Well, both are still around having done nothing for the black community. You want to get rid of Lee’s statue, fine! Just don’t make phony outrageous claims that Democrats are the champions of freedom democracy and racial harmony and equality.

Yep.

Come on Libs--Bass and I would definitely take up any of your challenges.

So let's hear it--Robert Lee owned slaves, as did George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin---so take down the statues and memorials to them or not? Anyone can out together a logical argument in favor or against?

And here's a good one--Robert E. Lee's Civil War adversary general who led the Union--you know, the guys who wanted the slaves to be freed--his name is Ulysses Grant.

And he was a slaveowner, Take down his statue too?

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

Well, both are still around having done nothing for the black community. You want to get rid of Lee’s statue, fine! Just don’t make phony outrageous claims that Democrats are the champions of freedom democracy and racial harmony and equality

Yeah because clearly Republicans are champions of justice and civil rights, which is why Republicans are trying hard to keep the statues of.....the people who fought for their right to own slaves. Brilliant argument, as per usual.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

So let's hear it--Robert Lee owned slaves, as did George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin---so take down the statues and memorials to them or not? Anyone can out together a logical argument in favor or against?

Why ask us for logical arguments you know you're going to completely ignore?

Robert E. Lee's statue wasn't taken down because he "owned slaves". It was taken down because he fought a war in order to keep owning slaves (and lost that war).

George Washington didn't fight a war in order to keep owning slaves.

Thomas Jefferson didn't fight a war in order to keep owning slaves.

Ben Franklin didn't fight a war in order to keep owning slaves.

It's really quite simple.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Present? So what’s the excuse of Democrats not willing to keep their cities from from crime, keeping their schools safe and trying to limit the poverty rate?

Klansmen never miss a chance to attack the minorities!!!

Jan 6th was the biggest attack on democracy since the civil war and yet the bigots refuse to acknowledge it.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Yeah because clearly Republicans are champions of justice and civil rights,

Yes, when you factor in what Lincoln did and died for and how the Dems were against the voting rights act of 1964, the NRA, yeah they did.

which is why Republicans are trying hard to keep the statues of.....the people who fought for their right to own slaves. Brilliant argument, as per usual.

No, the reason is, why not keep the good and the bad and learn from the past so that we don’t fall back into the ugliness that divided the nation, not to glorify, but to use as a learning tool for future generations.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

No, the reason is, why not keep the good and the bad and learn from the past so that we don’t fall back into the ugliness that divided the nation

Yet another very good and smart comment. Yes, let's keep the good and bad of slavery. I'm sure there was something somewhere that was good for someone in slavery.

 not to glorify, but to use as a learning tool for future generations.

You don't need a statue for teaching history. They are put up to glorify people. There are no statues of Hitler in Germany, but everyone knows who Hitler is.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Klansmen never miss a chance to attack the minorities!!!

This is why you shouldn’t vote Democrat.

Jan 6th was the biggest attack on democracy

Yes, bigger than WWI Pearl Harbor, WWII, Vietnam and 9/11 we know, we know, CNN tells us this 24/7 that’s why people stopped watching them, it’s the constant vegan diet of media indoctrination.

since the civil war and yet the bigots refuse to acknowledge it

We acknowledge it, we just wish Democrats would acknowledge a lot of their tarnished past.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Also removed Saturday was a statue depicting Sacagawea, and explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, which has been criticized for a depiction of the Native American guide and interpreter some view as subservient and weak.

These people were not slaves, and did not fight wars to keep slavery. But the libs are bothered by something they feel shows subserviency and weakness. Ok . . . .

JsapcToday  10:08 am JST

Why ask us for logical arguments you know you're going to completely ignore?

Robert E. Lee's statue wasn't taken down because he "owned slaves". It was taken down because he fought a war in order to keep owning slaves (and lost that war).

George Washington didn't fight a war in order to keep owning slaves.

Thomas Jefferson didn't fight a war in order to keep owning slaves.

Ben Franklin didn't fight a war in order to keep owning slaves.

It's really quite simple.

No, I give you credit for giving it a crack. It even kind of makes sense. On the other hand, George Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Ulysses Grant--all slave owners, like Robert E. Lee--their statues can stay just because they did not fight a war in order to keep owning slaves?

Jefferson even wrote "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,"--but this did not apply to slaves. So in declaring independence from Britain, the colonies were keeping slavery.

That's where you lose me. I'm with Bassfunk---be consistent and take down all those statues of slaveowners and racists.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

On the other hand, George Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Ulysses Grant--all slave owners, like Robert E. Lee--their statues can stay just because they did not fight a war in order to keep owning slaves

lol No. They should stay because their historical value is not confined to fighting to uphold the institution of slavery.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

JsapcToday  10:08 am JST

Thomas Jefferson didn't fight a war in order to keep owning slaves.

So was it right, or wrong for these people to tear down this Thomas Jefferson statue?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8423759/Thomas-Jefferson-statue-Portland-high-school-downed-protesters.html?fbclid=IwAR2dYOs6IDvf5GUDq9dwf38WORqh_GR2dAkSdek5W7-eWvcM_oZ31otzDxM

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

Anything that attracts the idolisation of the KKK and neonazis should rightly be gone, for good.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

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