Scathing 1928 Takedown Shows Why Robert E. Lee Deserves Zero Statues

Adrian Ovalle

An almost century- old evaluation of Robert E. Lee composed by W.E. B. DuBois resurfaced on social media today to highlight the basic defect with statues honoring the Confederate general.

“Either he knew what slavery meant when he helped maim and murder thousands in its defense, or he did not,” DuBois composed in 1928 in the NAACP’s The Crisis publication. “If he did not he was a fool. If he did, he was a traitor and a rebel ― not indeed to his country, but to humanity and humanity’s God.”

DuBois unmasked the concept that Lee and the Confederates were defending states’ rights as “nonsense,” including:

“The South cared only for State Rights as a weapon to defend slavery. If nationalism had been a stronger defense of the slave system than particularism, the South would have been as nationalistic in 1861 as it had been in 1812.”

DuBois– sociologist, civil liberties activist, author and cofounder of the NAACP– stated the very best method to perpetuate Lee’s memory is not to honor him with statues, however describe this to “the young white south.”

The essay has actually been commonly shared on Twitter after being tweeted by Current Affairs publication editor Nathan J Robinson.

W.E. B. DuBois’ short note on the life and ethical cowardice of Robert E. Lee is among the single most harsh pieces of composing I have actually ever checked out pic.twitter.com/iPYrGBWA8J

— Nathan J Robinson (@NathanJRobinson) July 21,2020

A variety of Confederate monoliths have actually been eliminated or are set up to be eliminated, however some have actually protected the memorials and statues, consisting of President Donald Trump.

Among Lee’s descendants informed Congress today it’s time for the monoliths to come down. Rev. Robert Wright Lee called the statues “an affront to those now who are suffering under current weights of oppression.”

Check Out DuBois’ full essay here.

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