McDonnell Chisels Deeper Virginia’s Growing Divide
I’ll have to agree with The Shad Plank on this one. “Maybe McDonnell was sick of Ken Cuccinelli getting so many headlines”, they write. Nothing else explains this irresponsible and egotistical move.
Why, oh, why would Governor McDonnell issue a proclamation declaring April “Confederate History Month”? Our country and the Commonwealth are so heated up and intensely divided over health care, energy, and solutions to our ailing economy. We currently sit at a place in time where people are suffering with unemployment, loss of housing, etc., etc. This resolution does nothing more than fan the flames of division and animosity amongst us. Who and what is gained from this resolution?
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April 7th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
If this proclamation improves knowledge and understanding of our history, then it does good. I don’t see that this proclamation promotes racism or slavery. What flames of animosity and division are being fanned? Do you think that if Virginia has a Confederate History Month that more people will become racists? I choose to celebrate the good in American history and the lament the bad. And I choose to learn from both.
April 7th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
kingsmoothie,
“If this proclamation improves knowledge and understanding of our history, then it does good.”
But what if this proclamation avoids the fact that Virginia was a slavery state prior to the Civil War and slavery was not ended until after it ended?
While “states’ rights” might have been one of the reasons for the Civil War, let us not forget that the continuation of slavery was one of the “states’ rights” insisted upon. If this was not true, what caused the states that joined the Confederacy and who seceded from the Union after Abraham Lincoln was elected to do so? Was the common thread Abraham Lincoln’s opposition to slavery?
April 7th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Gov. McDonnell’s 368-word declaration didn’t even mention slavery, because he did not think it was “significant.”
Later, after being informed that slavery was, in fact, significant to the Civil War, Gov. McDonnell apologized for the “major omission.”
April 7th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Now there is a great deal of talk about boycotting Virginia, and specifically Virginia Beach. Great job, Bob.
April 7th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
And so far BearingDrift.com remains silent… hmmm…
April 7th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
No, Eileen, I’m pretty sure that they’re against slavery, too, just like Bob McDonnell.
Just look how far Virginia has come — we are all against slavery, finally.
April 8th, 2010 at 6:41 am
April 8th, 2010 at 8:41 am
I was a bit perplexed by the Governor’s decision to specifically designate April as “Confederate” History Month. While no one could dispute the wealth of Civil War history that is a part of our Virginian heritage, I think that calling for a Confederate-specific history month sadly dismisses the myriad of histories and stories that could be brought forth from the proclamation of a “Civil War History Month.” This more inclusive month could serve to encourage the histories of all (Confederate soldiers, slaves, women, Union soldiers who remained in Virginia, etc.), versus some.
Perplexing as to why this avenue was not pursued.
April 8th, 2010 at 9:23 am
I believe the Governor’s revised proclamation addresses some of the concerns mentioned above. I wouldn’t be opposed to calling it Civil War History Month, although I believe that War Between the States is a more accurate name. No I don’t support slavery, I just believe that Civil War is generally thought of as an attempt to overthrow a government, wherea the South wanted to separate. Realize if the South had won its independence, the history books of Virginia would name the war the Second War for Independence or something like that. But Civil War is the generally accepted name, so its use in designating a history month is appropriate. Although, then there may be less of a focus on heritage and more on war. Perhaps there just shouldn’t be any history months. That seems fair.