Funny, I can’t find this story anywhere on the ESPN web site. Maybe I’m not looking hard enough.
Gotta say, The Onion got out onioned on this one.
Muad, just Google him and ESPN. It’s everywhere.
Yes, this is silly. For those commenting on statues, however, do read up on the history on confederate statutes in this country and the timing and message. There are many sources on their internet but here is one:
https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/8/16/16151252/confederate-statues-white-supremacists
I just typed Robert into my google search, and the search engine’s first suggestions were links to the story. Outonioned, indeed.
According to ESPN he wasn’t “removed” but given the option of calling the game or not. He chose to not call that game.
“According to an ESPN executive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, ESPN asked Lee if he would be more comfortable calling another game but gave him the option to stay. Lee chose to switch assignments, and ESPN accommodated him.”
doschicos they should keep the statues up but for historical accuracy just put up larger statues right next to them of Lincoln towering over Jefferson Davis, Grant standing over Lee and for good measure General William T Sherman next to various Confederate statues throughout the South.
I mean I am sure all in favor of statues for historical reasons would not mind.
I think we should also rename the Jefferson Davis highway to the Benedict Arnold- Jefferson Davis Highway for historical context. I mean who would mind?
Just saw the picture! How funny, what exactly does he sue for???
I agree @doschicos - in my city there were original names for streets and circles that were changed but somehow that wasn’t “erasing history” until someone tried to change them again today. ? I’m sure Robert Lee would have a different take on that.
Perhaps adding some more historical context to the statues, with signs describing why the states seceded (in their own words at the time), may help.
https://www.civilwar.org/learn/primary-sources/declaration-causes-seceding-states
Confederate States Vice President Alexander Stephans gave a speech known as the “Cornerstone Speech” where he said that “Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests upon the great truth, that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery – subordination to the superior race – is his natural and normal condition.” Perhaps that can be added to the statues to improve the historical context.
http://civilwarcauses.org/stephans.htm
It would be a step in the right direction, @ucbalumnus.
In this country where places get renamed all the time and naming rights go to the highest bidder, the outrage at saving statutes that belong, IMO, in museums now, is lost on me, especially if doing so moves our country in the direction of having all people feel more equal.
I’m for taking them all down and throwing them in the garbage pile or, because so many appear to have their panties in a twist at the mere mention of getting rid of them, museums. They most certainly do not belong in public parks or public squares.
That this is even an issue is beyond me.
Well, I certainly wouldn’t add an inflammatory comment on any marker.
Anyone here live in the South? Or ever did?
The vox comment, “Confederacy fought to maintain slavery and white supremacy…”
The way I was taught it, up in Phila and DC, it was first about self detetmination and an anti-union stance, where one segment governed all. (Of course, that included slavery. But not slavery or white supremacy alone.)
What could be so inflammatory about directly quoting what the seceding states’ governments wrote in their declaration of causes of secession?
Here are the first two sentences of the state of Mississippi declaration:
https://www.civilwar.org/learn/primary-sources/declaration-causes-seceding-states#Mississippi
Here’s how I come down on the statue debate:
- Statues should remain in cemetaries and Civil War battlefields. I abhor desecrating graves. I want historical sites preserved.
- In other public places the people of that community should vote on whether to keep the statue or not.
- In no event should a statue or monument be destroyed (I am against vandalism esp. of art), but should be given to a museum.
It’s in all the Confederate State’s declarations. That the cause is even debatable is mindboggling.
“Anyone here live in the South? Or ever did?”
For the record, yes, I have.
“What could be so inflammatory about directly quoting…”
“the great truth, that the negro is not equal to the white man…?”
Nope. It does zip to dignify those who feel the heavy thumb of history still weighing on them. It mat be illustrative, but is not healing.
One idea (now lost in the ruckus?) was moving them to some of the large historic southern cemeteries.
I do see some here object to them as symbols, same as the Confederate flag.
But I think many across the country are having a pendulum reaction. As if suddenly removing them will solve everything, change reality. Appease, not resolve. An expression of power.
Btw, I’m not naive.
To my thinking, the removal by municipalities are baby steps in the right direction. They most certainly send a message regarding values and inclusion from our government to its people. That makes it a good thing in my book.
Where is cobrat with our history lesson?
The “civil” war was about more than slavery, but today none of that really matters because slavery is detestable and had to be abolished. The South was on the wrong side of the issue, period. The Confederate leaders were traitors to their country.
As a Southerner (born and bred), I would be fine with taking down all monuments to Confederacy leaders on publicly owned property.
@tom1944, I know you were just trying to make a point, but just to be clear If anyone ever put up a statue of William Tecumseh Sherman in the South (especially Georgia), it wouldn’t last a day.
@busdriver, your great aunt was related (distantly) to Ralph Waldo Emerson (according to Wikipedia). Cool.
I wonder why it is that anyone thinks they have the right to tear down or demand the removal of statues, particularly those on private property. For those who are so offended by the mere thought of southern generals, ya know, the north did win the war…
So many people were unaware and didn’t even care about some historic statues. Now all of a sudden they are highly offended because it’s the thing to do, to show how non-racist they are. As if ripping down statues is going to change the hearts of racist people, and empower others. There was a lot of anger at the white supremacist groups after that young woman was murdered at their rally. But when you try to run with it and go to the extreme silliness of things like piling on poor Robert Lee of ESPN and demanding the removal of all these statues…you lose people.
Most people are just living their lives. When you start going towards extremist viewpoints and demanding others do what you want, you become a joke, and you push more people away. Our current political situation is very much the result of that, going too far and pushing people away in disgust.