The Southern Narrative of as to why the Civil War was fought: “To Protect States Rights,” is not completely false. Southerners wanted the states to have the right to impose slavery upon a certain race of people. As to this inglorious cause there can be doubt, no room for disagreement. Facts are facts.
And yet today, two Southern States: Alabama and Mississippi, continue to equally honor Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King Jr.. Arizona only came to the table to honor Dr. King’s birthday when not doing so cost them a Super Bowl, and the hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue that came with hosting such an event.
Money talks and B.S. walks. Or does it.
States still have rights. And despite having elected a Black President, it seems rare this nation and its entities will judge a Black person based on the “Content of Their Character.” The case of the Miami Dolphins, the NFL, and Brian Flores are exhibit 1. The case of Wisconsin re-electing someone like Ron Johnson instead of Mandela Barnes is exhibit 2.
The United States government had to take Mississippi to court in order to make progress on providing Black communities with safe, clean drinking water. WouId Mississippi today hire Robert E. Lee to fight for them to have States Rights so they could deny a certain segment of people based on race the ability to have clean drinking water? If the answer is no, why celebrate Robert E. Lee Day?
Alabama has made and is continuing to make progress. Yet rural schools in Alabama remain segregated and this segregation is increasing. This results in fewer economic opportunities for Blacks in rural Alabama. A University of Kansas study found: “Black students have long faced disproportionate levels of discipline in school, more placements in special education and other punitive educational policies. That is combined with low socioeconomic status in the area, resulting in poorer schools that suffer lower student achievement.”
A group known as “Alabama Arise” is working to promote racial and economic justice. They state: “There can be no economic or social justice without racial justice.”
Trying to justify retaining Robert E. Lee Day is the work of the ‘anti-woke.”. That is what Southern leaders are doing by not teaching actual, real, factual, history.
What can Blacks do? Quit playing for their state universities, bringing them fame and fortune which doesn’t find its way to Black communities. Watch how fast policies change, just as they did in Arizona with the Super Bowl.
If money talks, “anti woke,” denying our history will walk. A future where reality is recognized and dealt with, will enable US to all be better off.