Is Virginias Confederate History Month appropriate?
Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell revived his state’s observance of Confederate History Month.Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell has revived a controversy by declaring April Confederate History Month. His conservative base likes it. Civil rights leaders, not quite so much. Let the shouting commence. Issuing a symbolic proclamation this week, McDonnell has reignited a debate that had been dormant for the past eight years, as his two predecessors, both Democrats, opted not to participate in the tradition. (Actually, the practice started in 1997 under Republican Gov. George Allen, so maybe “tradition” is the wrong word.) McDonnell says he hopes the move will boost tourism in the state. The document asks Virginia residents to “understand the sacrifices of the Confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens during the period of the Civil War, and to recognize how our history has led to our present…” but, conspicuously, makes no mention of slavery. “Wasn’t slavery part of that history that’s so
