There is a deserved reverence that applies across the board for the men and women who gave their lives, many, unwillingly for a cause they may or may not have championed. Alas…
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke announced Friday plans to “renounce its position as a trustee” of a local Confederate Cemetery.
According to the Times Free Press:
“Our action today makes it clear that the City of Chattanooga condemns white supremacy in every way, shape and form,” Berke said in the release.”While we honor our dead, we do not honor the principle for which they fought. Our city should be invested in our future, not a discredited past. Confederates fought against America to preserve slavery. That is the truth, and we should no longer subsidize any myths to the contrary.”The release states the city is not on the deed for the land, but Berke also has asked City Attorney Wade Hinton to file paperwork to confirm Chattanooga is the city is no longer listed as one of the cemetery trustees.Hinton said the city has allowed the Sons of Confederate Veterans to make repairs to the cemetery under the assumption the city owned the property. A review of records showed “this does not appear to be the case,” Hinton said.
Also buried in the cemetery are the remains of African American soldier Shaderick Searcy, whose grave was finally located last year. But I suppose his legacy is of no consequence or will be ignored because it doesn’t quite jive with the social justice mold.
Berke doesn’t seem to understand ignoring history won’t change what transpired, nor does the delusion required to pretend something doesn’t exist prove helpful in achieving any manner of progress.
The country’s largest memorial cemetery in Arlington is the final resting place of hundreds of Confederate soldiers. Should their graves be forsaken, too?
One of the better lessons on handling white supremacy and preserving a right historical balance comes to us from France. Just outside of Bayeux, France is the La Cambe German war cemetery. It’s a meticulously maintained and well-preserved piece of World War II history.
Following the war, the French and Germans sought to establish six German cemeteries in Normandy. The remains of more than 21,000 German soldiers are interred at La Cambe. Some share graves as they shared the fox holes from which they breathed their last. The Germans raise money to pay for the upkeep of these cemeteries and without being lectured on perpetuating hate and racism.
La Cambe is a somber but necessary part of the cultural and historical fabric of northern France and a never-ending reminder of the blood cost of freedom.
Yet when we venture back stateside, the social justice delusion would rather create a false sense of safety from an offensive past rather reflect on our scars and enjoy the progress we’ve made in advancing the cause of individual liberty.
One fringe protest in Charlottesville sparked a national wave of progressive revisionism, all under the guise of an argument no one is making. No one, aside from a minuscule group, is arguing the Confederacy’s cause was just nor is there anyone arguing white supremacy is right or morally justifiable.
You do not have to condone slavery or racism to understand the devastating effects of taking an eraser to this country’s undeniable history.
Follow Kemberlee on Twitter @kemberleekaye
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