Over the past several months, Americans across the country have taken it upon themselves to destroy, deface and rewrite American history with the removal of historical statues and monuments. Virtually unchallenged, this small segment of the public has attempted to bully fair-minded citizens into accepting a new American reality: one without our Founding Fathers.
As a proud American, and as someone who has a deep love for this country and its history, I am deeply saddened by this.
The early attempts to remove statues and monuments were aimed at those that honored Confederates. Or at least that’s what the protesters told us. However, I knew these claims were false. I remember telling those close to me at the time, family and friends, that the targeting of Confederate symbols was a ruse. I believed that protesters would eventually come for Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, etc. And they did. That fear was recently proven true.
This past Saturday, Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia, announced it would be removing two 147-year-old plaques honoring the church’s most famous parishioners: George Washington and Robert E. Lee. In statements released by the church rector and warden, the parish hierarchy said the plaques will be relocated outside the church because they make visitors feel unsafe and unwelcome. I had a feeling that by relocated, the parish meant placed out of plain sight, so on Sunday morning, I decided to pay a visit to the church to get my last glance at the plaques.
The plaques hang at the front of the church, one on each side of the altar. The church is small and humble but rich in history. Washington and Lee’s pews are marked with small metal plates. It is almost difficult to believe that one can sit where these two men once sat.
Once inside, I spoke to an older gentleman who was both a parishioner and volunteer tour guide of the church. I could tell this man was proud to be a member of this church. In fact, he has been a parishioner for more than 40 years. He was also proud of its history, however conflicted it may be. He informed me that the decision to remove the plaques was made by the 10 members on the church’s board. I was surprised because he also acknowledged that although a majority of the parish is liberal, he believed that most felt that the plaques should remain.“It’s history.” he told me. “No man in history is perfect. We should recognize (Washington and Lee’s) flaws, but also remember their achievements that rose above their mistakes.”
The tour guide could not have been more correct. Both Washington and Lee were flawed men in their own ways. Both men owned slaves, and Lee led the Confederate Army during the Civil War. But how much do most Americans, much less these protesters, know about these men? I submit that most Americans know very little.
Washington was perhaps our nation’s greatest president, and like many of the other founders, did not believe slavery had a place in the future of American society. However, the founders knew the Constitution would not be ratified without the institution of slavery, so they inserted a mechanism for slavery to be eradicated in the future. Washington also emancipated his slaves after his death.
Lee is viewed less favorably. But does he get judged fairly by history? Many historians believe his relationship with slavery is a conflicted one. What you will almost never read is how instrumental Lee was in the reunification of the U.S. Professor James Robertson at Virginia Tech once claimed that no American did a better job of bringing the country back together than Robert E. Lee.
If we are to judge men in history by the worst of their decisions, then can we truly honor anyone? For example, if the same standards apply, then should we stop honoring Martin Luther King Jr. or John F. Kennedy for their alleged personal and extramarital affairs?
This country and its history are under attack. The tour guide in Christ Church inspired me to take a stand and defend my country’s history. My hope is that you will do the same.
Eduardo Neret is a UF finance senior. His column appears on Wednesdays.
