The Monument
The Robert E. Lee Monument is located in Richmond, Virginia. It is to honor Robert E Lee who was a General in the Confederate Civil War. He was born on January 19th, 1807. He married Mary Ann Custis, who was George Washington’s wife’s Great Granddaughter. He led the Army of Northern Virginia which was arguably the confederacy’s most powerful army, and was a top graduate from the United States Army (Wikipedia). During his lifetime he was known for owning over a hundred slaves, which he fought very hard to keep.
The monument was first built in 1890 by Antonin Mercie. During that time period Robert E. Lee was known as a war hero and a master strategist, as well as his role in promoting peace and reunion after the American Civil War. But in current time most see the monument as a Confederate symbol that provided a rallying point for advocates of racial segregation and oppressive Jim Crow laws (Gershon). During the time period nobody felt any disliking towards the monument. During his time, many were extremely fond of Robert E. Lee and looked up to him. It was said that many organizations were formed with the idea of building a monument in honor of Robert E. Lee.
This Monument sends the message that we glorify Robert E. Lee. In this Monument he is built towering above everyone viewing the Monument. Having a Monument up like this in our current time gives off the idea that we still stand behind Robert E. Lee’s awful point of views and ideas for America during his time. Even if times have changed since the monument was first made, keeping it up only feels like a stand with Robert E. Lee and his point of views.
Controversy
This monument and others were clear signs of white supremacy and racial segregation. This was during the time that the North wanted to abolish slavery and the South did not. The South did everything in their power to keep some sort of control over the African American population even after slavery was abolished in 1865.
People’s views of the Monument have changed drastically. During the 2020 George Floyd movements many people called for the removal of the statue. Although the courts fought back and blocked the date of removal (June 4th 2020) with a pending lawsuit. This Monument is extremely controversial and has received plenty of backlash in recent years. Many people disagree that someone like Robert E. Lee should have a Monument after his clear stand against segregation. He had views including that slavery was a “peculiar institution as necessary to maintain order between the races.” and he “resented northerns who attacked the motives and character of slave holders.” And believed that “slavery was a greater evil to the white than to the black race.” He also believed that slavery was something that needed to be left in the hands of god, not argued about between the North and the South. During the 2020 riots there was graffiti and signs left around the Robert E. Lee monument. One including a sign reading “Welcome to Beautiful Marcus-David Peters Circle, Liberated by the People MMXX.” Which was in honor of Marcus-David Peter who was shot and killed by police in 2018. The graffiti covered monument became a common place for people to portray images of racial justice and empowerment. This included people displaying videos and images of people including George Floyd through projection at night. The New York Times also deemed the graffiti on the monument “among the most influential American protest artworks since World War II” Even with heavy push back from the courts the State Supreme Court decided that the statue should be removed on September 8th 2021. Robert E. The Lee monument was moved to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. The vacant pedestal which was full of the graffiti from the protests, was later dismantled in February 2022.
Lee himself was conflicted about the core issues of his day. He was a slave owner who some say was cruel and a general who fought to preserve the institution. But he personally described slavery as a “moral and political evil” that should end. Before the war, Lee opposed secession, but once his native Virginia voted to leave the Union he declared he was honor-bound to fight for the Confederacy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Lee
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Lee_Monument_(Richmond,_Virginia)
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/robert-e-lee-opposed-confederate-monuments
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-E-Lee/Early-life-and-U-S-military-service https://www.loc.gov/resource/det.4a31511/
