Posted on 04/23/2003 9:31:00 AM PDT by Constitution Day
'Silent Sam' should topple exactly like Hussein statues
April 11, 2003
TO THE EDITOR:
After the dramatic scenes were broadcast globally of Iraqis -- with a boost from the U.S. military -- pulling down and destroying statues of Saddam Hussein, I expected outrage to erupt in Chapel Hill.
Why? Well, we are routinely told that the reason monuments to the thankfully departed Confederate States of America litter the landscape, including the centerpiece of this campus, i.e. "Silent Sam," is because this is merely a monument to history and that depositing this monstrosity where it belongs in the nearest museum would be like stowing away history.
Interesting. So where are the voices from this campus bellowing in outrage against Iraqis "destroying their history" by destroying statues of their erstwhile leader?
Actually, the CSA cause -- slavery -- led to far more deaths than those attributed to Saddam Hussein. Furthermore, those rebels and traitors of the CSA fought a war that led to far more deaths than those caused by Saddam Hussein in his battle with that very same government in Washington.
Actually, I await the call by CSA defenders demanding construction of monuments in Iraq to Saddam Hussein, in the interests of "history" of course. Hence, if anything, rather than cheering the pulling down of statues in Iraq, residents of Chapel Hill should be insisting on removing these Confederate eyesores that dominate this campus, this state and this region.
Gerald Horne
Professor
Communication Studies*
(*note: Also African & Afro-American Studies, see his homepage)
'Silent Sam' Sparks Conversation At UNC
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- A silent soldier is causing a ruckus on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Silent Sam, is a tribute to Carolina alumni who fought in the Civil War. Now, the nearly century-old statue is the site of controversy. |
Silent Sam, is a tribute to Carolina alumni who fought in the Civil War. Now, the nearly century-old statue is the site of controversy.
"This statue was put up to keep people like them in slavery," said UNC Professor Gerald Horne.
Horne calls the monument to Confederate soldiers a monstrosity.
In a letter to the Daily Tar Heel, the university's student newspaper, Horne suggests Silent Sam should be toppled just like the statue of Saddam Hussein.
"It's very interesting that people were celebrating the toppling of the statue of Saddam a few days ago, because, of course, in Chapel Hill, people say you can't take down statues. That's history," he said.
Horne's history lesson surprised students who stopped to take pictures in front of the statue Tuesday. What he calls a lightning rod, others simply call a landmark.
"We didn't know the significance, but now we know. We were just taking pictures to give to friends," said a visitor.
And where some see black and white, others see shades of gray. Axel Ruprecht said to take down the statue is to sanitize history.
"My ancestors fought for the North and I think they were right, but it's part of our history. Those who fought, fought for a number of reasons," he said.
UNC leaders said the statue is part of the university's history and it has no plans to remove it. They said UNC embraces diversity and has several buildings named after prominent African-Americans.
Reporter: Stephanie Hawco
Photographer: David McCorkle
OnLine Producer: Michelle Singer
Copyright 2003 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Sorry, okchemyst; I had to "borrow" your tagline. It was too good.
That even goes too far. The first step in revisionist history creation is to eliminate any reminders of the facts. The American Civil War was a crucible that formed the strength that is America. Until recently, when the pampered offspring of the former slaves started their efforts to open old wounds and settle imagined scores, we all looked back on the war with a sense of shared history and purpose. Now these pampered members of the Jesse Jackson Extortion and Shakedown Mob are trying to get everyone else fighting or feeling guilty.
To all of you shakedown artist wannabes...STFU and get over it! If you want to get your piece of the pie, get off your dead asses, get off of the RAT Party teat, get a job, get a useful trade (that doesn't mean a degree in "Black Studies") and earn it!
And by the way...stop trying to rewrite history. Remember...YOUR OWN KIND SOLD YOUR ANCESTORS TO THE SLAVERS! YOUR OWN KIND DIDN'T FIT IN BACK IN THEIR HOMELAND!
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Hope you, Mrs. Palm & the fronds are doing well!
CD
I am in the last three weeks of my run for the town council.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Of course it is not just UNC. Vanderbilt "cleansed" a building of the name "Confederate" Memorial Hall in the name of diversity.
When Hollywood types (or Dixie Chicks) promote hatred against the US (or President Bush) it's free speech, but calls to boycott the products of these "speakers" is "McCarthyism" etc etc.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
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.