Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Powhatan County, Virginia Rejects Confederate History Month Proclamation
Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch ^ | 9 March 2004 | Will Jones

Posted on 03/09/2004 2:24:48 PM PST by Rebeleye

Powhatan County will celebrate Operation Spruce Up in April, but not Confederate History and Heritage Month... The Board of Supervisors voted last night to recognize the anti-litter campaign but rejected the Confederate event. "I cannot support any motion that would be this divisive," Supervisor Russell E. Holland. The controversial proclamation, requested by the Powhatan Troop of the Sons of Confederate Veterans...

(Excerpt) Read more at timesdispatch.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: confederate; confederatehistory; powhatan; scv; virginia
Powhatan County will celebrate Operation Spruce Up in April, but not Confederate History and Heritage Month.

Before a packed meeting room, the Board of Supervisors voted last night to recognize the anti-litter campaign but rejected the Confederate event.

"I cannot support any motion that would be this divisive," Supervisor Russell E. Holland.

The controversial proclamation, requested by the Powhatan Troop of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, had raised concerns from some residents who consider it a glorification of an institution that supported slavery.

An estimated 50 members of the predominantly black Little Zion Baptist Church attended last night's meeting, but none addressed the board on the issue. They didn't have to.

Led by Supervisor R. Kenneth Hatcher, the board's three new members quickly voted to scuttle the resolution.

The other two supervisors - Chairman Robert R. Cosby and T.J. Bise - had said last week that they would support the measure, but they ultimately abstained. Both said last night that they arrived at the meeting willing to support only further study of the issue.

After the vote, a few residents said, "Amen," before a larger number applauded the board.

"I'm very pleased with the decision," said Gregory Beechaum, pastor of Little Zion Baptist Church. "I believe Powhatan County is a good county, a blessed county. I believe we have a melting pot of citizens who are very loving and supportive of each other. A proposal such as this will just cause division."

Not everyone left the meeting so pleased.

Jake Berman, who wore a sticker supporting the recognition of Confederate History and Heritage Month, said the supervisors are ignoring a significant period of history.

"I'm here to support the educational aspects of it," he said. "I feel, with three children in the county school system, they're in neglect of giving them a well-rounded education."

Berman said he believes both Black History Month, which is in February, and Confederate History and Heritage Month should be recognized. "I feel it's reverse discrimination," he said of last night's vote.

Earl Dantzler, who wore a T-shirt honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believes the Confederate Heritage resolution effectively celebrates subjugation, oppression and injustice.

"To me, it's like saying, 'Let's have a month to celebrate murder,'" he said.

Brag Bowling, Virginia commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, said in a phone interview that he was disappointed by the supervisors' decision vote but added that the issue isn't going away. He also insisted that the resolution isn't racist.

"Every time one of these things gets rejected, it brings armies of people onto our side because they view it as unfair," he said.

1 posted on 03/09/2004 2:24:49 PM PST by Rebeleye
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Rebeleye
"I cannot support any motion that would be this divisive," Supervisor Russell E. Holland.

Added Mr. Holland,"But, we will go on as planned with May being declared Slaughter a Christian Month."

2 posted on 03/09/2004 2:50:52 PM PST by Onelifetogive
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rebeleye
A bunch of spineless jerks. Lets all bow down to the PC gods!
3 posted on 03/09/2004 3:03:20 PM PST by Militiaman7 (One down one to go)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rebeleye
I wish my ancestors could see this. They would have never died where they would be unsupported by such spineless individuals. They would have chosen to stay and fight at home.
4 posted on 03/09/2004 5:40:19 PM PST by vetvetdoug
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson