The problem is that the radicals have infiltrated the organization so thoroughly that they are running the good folks off. My understanding is that a group called Save the Sons of Confederate Veterans was formed a few years ago by some disaffected members in an effort to defeat the radical agenda of SCV’s national leadership. I don’t believe they’ve made much progress.

Sean

Now I must agree that the SCV is not on itself a big force for preservation. But then again, I know a lot of its members who are.

Personally, I’d think the statue would fit in well at Irwinville, Ga. Of course, they’d have to redo the statue to depict him in a dress…..

I would like to suggest that a statue of Frederick Douglass be prominently placed in the museum, if there is not already a statue of Douglass. Also, Douglass should be commemorated throughout Richmond, the South, and the nation as the great American that he is. If the SCV objects to that–let its members explain their position. That should bring the point home.

Unfortunately, the SCV has never been very interested in battlefield preservation. They are more interested in making sure the “correct” interpretation is given at existing battlefields.

The SCV will have to address the question as to what legacy the organization was attempting to honor or dishonor. The end result was, however, that the opportunity to surpass old divisions was lost, and this can be instructive for future conversations concerning how the Civil War is remembered in public spaces. I don’t know how decisions are made concerning what museums will or will not display, or how past events are to be commemorated publicly, but it seems that the public itself should be involved in the decision making process. I feel certain that there are plenty of Southern black men and women who would like to see a different side of history portrayed, just as there are Southern white men and women who would like to see the same. The emphasis, instead, seems to be on proving which side of white history is correct–the North or the South–when the answer is neither. The only “correct” side of this history that encompasses an enormous national tragedy, is the side of it that was suffered, and then overcome, by the black men and women who lived it in both the North and the South. When white men and women realize this, we might get something done. Thanks, Kevin, as always.

How very, very depressing.

Kevin, I am on lecture seven of the Yale course on the Civil War and Reconstruction by Professor Blight that is offered online. I strongly urge everyone to take advantage of this unique opportunity to take a course at Yale. It is free. You don’t get credit for it, or tenure, or any number of other things, but what you do get is a chance to learn. This was unheard of when I went to the university. In fact, universities were just getting used to the idea of letting women in at all. Blight lays it all out. The lectures are compelling and give the entire story. This is what is absent in too many conversations. The link is oyc.yale.edu.

Thanks, Kevin.

But times change, and perhaps as the old die out the SCV may yet be revived as a positive force in
the Civil War community. I’m not holding my breath, though.

You make an excellent point. Perhaps what their choices reflect is very little interest in honoring the service of their ancestors.