Confederate monuments in the United States have been a subject of controversy and debate for many years. While defenders of these statues argue that they should remain standing to educate future generations, Black newspapers have long criticized them as propaganda tools that perpetuate the myth of the “Lost Cause” and glorify white supremacy. These newspapers have documented the nation’s shortcomings in achieving racial equality and have called for the removal of Confederate monuments since the late 19th century.
The dedication of the Robert E. Lee monument in Charlottesville in 1924, for example, was accompanied by a reunion of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and speeches that celebrated the South’s efforts to rewrite the history of the Civil War. The master of ceremonies, R.T.W. Duke Jr., openly expressed his belief in the righteousness of the Confederacy and the legitimacy of slavery. Black newspapers at the time criticized these monuments as symbols of rebellion and white supremacy.
The Richmond Planet, a Black newspaper, published an article in 1890 that pointed out the overwhelming presence of Confederate flags and emblems at the unveiling of the Lee statue in Richmond. The editor, John Mitchell Jr., argued that the glorification of the Confederacy fostered a spirit of rebellion and would leave a legacy of treason and blood. The article also highlighted the enthusiastic support for the statue among white Southerners and criticized the South’s insistence on celebrating Lee instead of moving forward.
Black newspapers continued to criticize Confederate monuments throughout the early 20th century. The Pittsburgh Courier, for example, condemned the Confederate carving on Stone Mountain in Georgia in 1925, calling it a symbol of human slavery and color selfishness. These newspapers saw these monuments as reminders of the violent backlash against Black citizenship and called for their removal.
Overall, the history of Confederate monuments is fraught with controversy. While some argue for their preservation as educational tools, Black newspapers have long criticized them as symbols of white supremacy and rebellion. The ongoing debate over these statues reflects the larger struggle to confront and address the nation’s history of racism and inequality.
