Posted on 05/25/2009 2:47:18 PM PDT by kristinn
President Barack Obama sent a wreath Monday to a memorial for soldiers who fought on the side of slavery during the Civil War, continuing a 90-year-old Memorial Day tradition despite being urged by historians to “break this chain of racism.”
The first black U.S. president also started a new tradition by sending a wreath to the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington honoring the 200,000 black soldiers who fought for Union forces in America’s bloodiest conflict.
“We ask you to break this chain of racism stretching back to Woodrow Wilson and not send a wreath or other token of esteem to the Arlington Confederate Monument,” a group of historians urged Obama earlier this month.
“This monument should not be elevated in prestige above other monuments by a presidential wreath,” the scholars said.
Obama did not mention the controversy in remarks at Arlington National Cemetary after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, which holds the remains of unidentified soldiers from World Wars I and II and the Korean War.
The cemetary is built on the former estate of General Robert E. Lee, who led the Condederate forces and is revered in American history despite fighting on behalf of states who wanted slavery to continue and spread.
Lee’s home still stands at the top of the hill overlooking nearly a quarter of a million graves and across the Potomac River from the memorial to slain President Abraham Lincoln, who led the Union to victory in the conflict from 1861 to 1865 and was assassinated just after the war was won.
SNIP
Obama also sent wreaths to memorials for those who died in the explosion of the USS Maine and in the Spanish American war.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.reuters.com ...
Of course, his white family owned slaves and he owns 300 million slaves.
Thank you, President Obama, for not forgetting our heroes.
so he thinks
I am glad that my ancestors are included in his memorial. I have ancestors that fought in all of our wars, including the revolution.
Don’t you just get the feeling that he is gritting his teeth having to honor veterans? I know inside he hates our military traditions.
I guess these “historians” just forget about the thousands of Black Americans — many freedmen — who fought FOR the Confederacy? I suppose they also neglected to learn about the thousands of native Americans from “Indian Territory” (aka Oklahoma) who fought FOR the Confederacy under the leadership of Cherokee chief Stand Watie? Oh, almost NONE of them owned a slave..!
Yeah, you politically correct, historical revisionists... Don’t think you can just spout off what you WANT to be the truth. Don’t think YOU set the narrative. :-) Just a friendly reminder that the truth won’t go away.
BTTT
Credit where credit is due. He ignored the politically correct pressure on this one. It would have been very easy to let this one slip by and gig a group where he gets little support in favor of a group who does support him. But he maintained an honorable tradition of reconciliation.
Kudos on this one.
And lest we forget that American Muslims also lie in Arlington, having given all for their country...
Copyright © 2007 A. Gondring. All rights reserved and all that junk.
Only adjustment was cropping, rotation, and lightening the brightness
to bring out the writing in the face of the sun glare
General Robert E. Lee, who led the Condederate forces....
&&
I guess they are something like the Confederate forces.
Credit where credit is due.
&&
Agreed
bump
And all this time I thought the Civil war was fought over States Rights. Silly me.....
For the 100th time,Barry is dealing his Race Cards!
What a pathetic redundant stunt.
Can you imagine how many white sympathizers receive absolution for their ancestors? Barry never deviates from his selected
Crowd of shamed white people! Barry is as predictable as *Cap and Trade*
I’d like to know just who are those “scholars” and “historians” who urged the president not to honor the confederate dead.
Sorry but I do not trust Zero or Muslims.
“President Barack Obama sent a wreath Monday to a memorial for soldiers who fought on the side of slavery during the Civil War,”
Grrrr.
They're listed at the end of their Letter.
I.m with you-let’s see the list. I know it contains James McPherson, Princeton U., and Bill Ayers. Anyone know anymore about this?
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