re: Baltimore removes statues under cover of darkness

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So yes, it is a little surprising that a Lee and Jackson statue went up in the 1940s.

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Up until the last couple of years these men were recognized as great leaders and good men. Only recently have kooks started demonizing them in a bid to get attention.

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little surprising that a Lee and Jackson statue

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Two men villainized for their association with the CSA due to love for their home. Two men who when viewed in their time were very much progressive in terms of their views toward civil liberties. Lee received slaves in inheritance and abruptly granted them their freedom. Jackson received six as a wedding present and is still loved today by their descendants because he personally taught them to read and write and preached to them, even though it was against the law.

The institution of slavery and systematic racism that grew from it is absolutely despicable. While I understand it may be too much to ask, it would be nice if we viewed these men in context and didn't immediately vilify them as a whole. Without men like Lee and Jackson the row to hoe from the 19th century to 21st would have been much greater. Yes they were on the wrong side of the war, but it was due to love of home not saving a despicable institution. Those two are more deserving a statue than Sherman and Grant, but I am sure those protesting the statues wouldn't agree.