American History
Related: About this forumThe Confederate General Who Became a Race Traitor
The Confederate General Who Became a Race Traitor (JAMES LONGSTREET)
THE DAILY BEAST
GIL TROY
11.04.17 12:00 AM ET
I used to be something of a Revolutionary War and Civil War buff, not so much any more. I have forgotten more than I ever knew. (Is that possible?)
I just found this OPINION in the DAILY BEAST interesting.. My very small contribution on a partially sunny Saturday morning...
Snip
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-confederate-general-who-became-a-race-traitor
ON EDIT/ Please don't alert on this post just because it is about a Confederate General OR because said general did NOT support a Democratic candidate for Mayor of New Orleans - in.... 1874.
SCantiGOP
(14,193 posts)Even in the darkest of times there are men and women of courage and integrity.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Posting something like this COULD be a bit risky here in 'these times.'
sagesnow
(2,869 posts)Sounds like this is a Southern General who deserves a war memorial. Too bad so much of this history is swept under the rug in our schools.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)I think I am against them all.. well.. almost all...
As usual, I am inconsistent in my opinions.. for instance I would leave the Vietnam memorial.. because it does not, in my opinion, glorify war.
It reminds us of the insanity and suffering of human beings killing each other.
sagesnow
(2,869 posts)The money would be much better spent on efforts to promote peace.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)SCantiGOP
(14,193 posts)Read about Robert Smalls. There is a movement now to erect a statue to him in Charleston, but of course the right-wingers have hijacked the effort by linking efforts to save memorials to John C Calhoun, Pitchfork Ben Tillman and other deplorable racist terrorists.
He was a slave who stole a Confederate ship in the Charleston harbor (he was a trained harbor pilot) and delivered it and his family and crew and weapons to the Northern ships blockading the harbor, sailing past several CSA forts. His deed and his meeting with the President led to black troops being allowed to fight for the North. He returned to SC and became a legislator and US Congressman. He also was instrumental in SC becoming the first state in the nation to have universal free public education (an accomplishment that didn't last long after Jim Crow and the KKK took over SC politics).
I am really surprised this has not found its way to Hollywood yet. I can see Denzel Washington as Smalls.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Thanks for the post and the history lesson..
Lucky Luciano
(11,407 posts)thucythucy
(8,738 posts)Thanks for this. I'd heard the name, but didn't know the details.