Group protests Suffolk mayor's silence on Confederate proclamation

I think we all have the same idea, we just might be taking a different route to get there. Good opinions, good debating. Have a good memorial day weekend... both union and confederates!! And just so you know, I was watching dancing with the stars... I like it for the articles!

sporoutdrs echos MY talking points, under the subject line "jonnycage is right". Even when I think I am winning I lose, lol. Time to quit while I am behind here.

The Civil War was fought for serveral reasons including slavery. The South and the Confederate Flag are always associated with slavery however it was the North that introduce slavery into the United states. Not every family in the South had a farm or plantation that worked slaves but most of the able bodied men in the South signed up with the Confederate Army because there were other issues besides slavery that these men fought for. These men were willing to give their life for what they beleived in and they should be remembered and honored just as we honor others for their part in American History.

The Dancing with the Stars and Smarter than a Fifth Grader crack may not have been the best way to win friends and influence people. Please accept my apology. As for the Mayor though? I stand by my belief she behaved badly. All she had to do is say "No" then explain why. It is that simple. It may be no more complicated than, she is more afraid of a special interest group than she is of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Ms. Johnson is the mayor of a city in Virginia. If she is unaware of the importance of Civil War history in the south, then all might be served better if she moves North of the Mason Dixon line and runs for office in a community she is more in touch with. It speaks poorly of her and her staff's organizational skills that they would not find time to meet with the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Given the high level of compentency demonstrated after the storms, one wonders if the Mayor, her staff, and the city made a good faith effort to meet with the S.C.V. Of course she is a politician and not a historian. Perhaps allowances should be made for that shortcoming?

I guess I can see how my comments must have been mis-construed. My comments towards the tornadoes werent meant to be time sensitive as much as they were meant to show the types of things that can pop up on the radar of say a mayor or elected official. Those day to day things no one accounts for can sometimes pile up, not allowing us to get all we need to get done. And I cant believe you didnt think the Alamo comment was funny? Havent you ever heard the expression... 'we'll always have the Alamo." I know it wasnt the civil war, sad as it may be, I have a degree in history and worked 7 years in a national military park ....Fredericksburg. I know the civil war more then I care to share. The civil war was fought over color for sure, but it wasnt black or white... it was green. Good luck Edyta!

War and seem knowlegable about the subject. With only 750 characters, and even shorter reader attention spans, it's hard to make balanced point in this forum. It was not my intent to diminish slavery's role in the war, but to illustrate there were other influences as well. To understand this chapter of our history it is critical to at least be aware of the other events, forces, and the personalities at work in the 1860's. For example (staying with the slave issue) how many people "know" Lincoln freed the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation?-- Mr. Lincoln ACTUALLY only declared the slaves free in states that did not return to Union control by his deadline. He omitted the North, and the Southern states already under Union control. Lincoln effectively declared the slaves not under his control free, but not those those that were. Did the average slave's life really improve? The percieved hypocracy of it was a powerful force in 1862, that had an impact we are unaware of today. So much of what we know as FACT about this war is misunderstood, and actions based on misconception are always bad things.

Comments about the Civil War . . . The war began after several southern states declared their secession from the Union because the northern states rejected the expansion of slavery into their territory. Their secession was taken as a rebellion against the Union. Therefore, the war was as much about keeping a nation together as it was about preserving or abolishing the institution of slavery. Please stop diminishing the role of slavery in the Civil War.

Wow! I bet you have got to be really red faced about now? You actually said "BETTER yet its not like she had a bunch of tornadoes rip apart the city." You mean the tornadoes that came AFTER the events under discussion should have already been resolved? THAT is the "better yet" part of your argument? This is like saying the reason that the attack on Pearl Harbor was such a surprise on Dec. 7, 1941 is that we could not find the Japanese Aircraft carriers because of storms on December 9th. And you said it with such energy and enthusiasm too.--- I do want to thank you however. Your statement that the Civil War was: "a war fought over greed and racism" is a PERFECT illustration of my earlier statement, "so few people seem to know ANYTHING about the Confederacy and why the war was fought," and my followup point, "an alarming number of people think the South, Civil War, and the Confederacy was all about slavery." Oh and another thing jonny. The (seige) Battle of the Alamo was part of the Texas Revolution NOT the Civil War. Might I suggest you watch DANCING WITH THE STARS a little less, and ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER, a little more? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batt

First of, the Mayor did not handle the situation in a responsible way. If the request was going to be denied the group should have been notified. But I do not feel there should be a month set aside for this cause as I do not believe the Confederate Flag should hang over state buildings. As a black female I understand the need to want to bring attention, respect, and knowledge to certain groups. I just feel that this cause has to much negative associated with it. I do give the upmost respect to the families and the Veterans because they did fight hard for something they truly believed in and I do not believe that everything and everyone associated with it is negative. But there would be no need for special months if the school system did a better job integrating all histories into the lesson. And a lot of people don't even realize that this is not the first time a woman or a black person ran for the nomination to run for president. In school all you ever learned about was MLK, and Rosa Parks and that took 2 weeks.

The Tornado could not have placed a role in deciding whether or not to name April as the group requested, as far as precedence is concerned.. The tornado took place April 28. There were only 2 days left in April. Far too late to make the proclamation naming the month, or to use as a reasonable excuse.

Divisive???? Does that mean that the Martin Luther King Jr National Holiday and Black History Month are not devisive....how about Black this and Black that Achievement Award....what about Ebony and Jet magazine?....are they not racially selective in their topics?

There is the politically correct divisiveness and there is the morally correct way of thinking.

So let us seek true wisdom and ask God.

"I am not a respector of any man."

So if the Satan's world wants to be politically correct that is what we would expect from the Liar. Some pigs are more important than other animals....Animal Farm

Those who practise true Christianity know that God loves each of His children equally but they have to recognise and love Him too.

Recognise the Confederates?...Of Course....because we recognise our Black History Month...it is called Balance...and not making any one group more important than the other....That is what God does....He does not respect one more than the other.

You mean the mayor of Suffolk didnt have time to work on this extremely important project? What could she possibly have been doing? Its not like she has to run a city? Or deal with a controversial, unruly council? Or better yet its not like she had a bunch of tornadoes rip apart the city ( causing millions of dollars in damages ) that she has taken an oath to serve? I mean really... what was she thinking? She should be ashamed of herself for not declaring an official day for a war fought over greed and racism a hundred and forty years ago. If I was a voter, I certainly would remember where she stands next time elections come. What type of mayor is that? Its right at the top of important issues, next to the judge suing for $50 million dollars because the dry cleaner lost his pants. Sorry confederates. You still have the Alamo!

Why not celebrate the republicans who actually won that war back in the 1860s? Still here as today's GOP, the Party of Lincoln as Bush and McCain call it?

As a history teacher, I do not teach history of people (whether black, Confederate, etc) in separate months. I teach about each person, each event in chronological order. I teach each person, whether white, black, Native American or Asian where appropriate as it fits into American history. If we want to teach respect to people, then we should teach about the people and places as they fit, and not teach them separately, as if to say that they deserve some separate recognition, or that they are separate from the rest of us. Yes, Black History Month is separate, but I believe that this does a disservice to African Americans who have made their way through history. If equality is truly desired, then all of our history should be integrated and paid tribute where necessary and appropriate.

And start teaching kids real history. It's written down in history books and other educational material. If we would quit dumbing down society our children wouldn't need to believe there has to be a special month in which to learn about parts of our history, Black, White, Confederate etc. They all have their place in history, no need to dedicate a month to each of them. The year is way too short to fit it all in, and most of it becomes biased junk over the years anyway.

The P.C. Police are taking this country apart.

I agree lets get rid of the History months all together. CH I knew you would be against it.

I never said schools neglected to teach history. I said they neglected to teach certain histories which creates a need for one to seek the knowledge elsewhere. You've actually made my point by pointing out the many histories that we are not taught in school, but what's undeniable is that we are taught the history of the dominant culture. If you're going to criticize my comment, at try to read it in its entirety first.

everyone should have a right to their history even if it is not liked by all. no history should be forced on anyone so why don't we just stop all history in schools. That should stop all bickering.
I am one person that is proud of my heritage and I will fly the southern flag or any confederate flag proudly on my front lawn.

How many Virginia cities recognized Confederate Histoy Month?

We already have a day for ALL Veterans. November 11th. VETERAN's DAY!--A big part of the problem here is that there are so few people seem to know ANYTHING about the Confederacy and why the war was fought. Sadly the numbers of the uneducated continue to grow as as a nation we "dumb down". In the same manner that people read a headline and think they know the news; an alarming number of people think the South, Civil War, and the Confederacy was all about "slavery". It seems the City of Suffolk's elected representatives (I do not see any leadership here) is taking the position of, I'LL JUST IGNORE IT UNTIL IT GOES AWAY FOR A YEAR. Mayor Johnson is doing nothing to dispell this stereotype, and she dishonors the memory of thousands of men and women. Any bets that next year instead of, "I must have written the number down wrong," it will be, "I wrote the number in the margins of a term paper, and the dog ate my homework?" Mayor Johnson should have had the courage to tell them no, then shown some leadership by giving her reasons; instead of avoiding the Sons of Confederate Veterans request then making childish excuses.

For once Linda Johnson shows some leadership ability. Ponder this: what, exactly, would this proclamation honor? I believe it would honor a group of people who chose to ignore the stability of the nation and the rights of all of its citizens to enjoy the freedoms associated with this country. It most places, when that side loses the losers are usually considered at the least misguided and at the most traitors. The American Civil War was fought over state rights in only one meaning of the 10th Amendment, the right of a state to have laws allowing the ownership of other humans, regardless of their rights. I have no respect for the confederacy or the traitors that fought for it. To respect them is an affront to the constitution and the American people.

Where were you "forced" to learn of the Confederacy? Oh, the schools that neglect to teach history?

"History" months do to teach history as watching a NASCAR race teaches one to drive. They are nothing more than propoganda to the group that pushes it. That said, May is:

Mental Health Month
Older Americans' Month
League of American Bicyclists Bike Month
Military Appreciation Month
Clean Air Month
Asthma Awareness Month
Maytag Month
Salad Month
Tennis Month
BBQ Month
Self-Gratification Month
Gold Month
Preservation Month
Foster Care Month
Mary Month
Museum Month
JellyBaby Month
Melanoma Awareness Month
Steelmark Month

I could go on, but I think this spells out the idiocy of any "history" month.

Recognizing all veterans is a much better idea than recognizing just confederate soldiers. Many have faught for their rights in this country and they should all be recognized if any are to be recognized. And we shouldn't get rid of all history months because the history months that we do have are in place because this history is neglected else where, such as in the school systems. Everyone should be given a voice. However, we all already know all about the confederacy because we were all forced to learn about it.

The City of Suffolk is rich in history from the Civil War. So, why is their a problem with declaring April Confederate History Month. Suffolk has museums and statues showing the city's involvement in the Civil War.
It's time Suffolk takes stock in realizing the Confederate Armies are a valuable part of Suffolk's history.
So, Mayor Johnson and other city council members should declare April as Confederate History Monthy. (It's only one month out of the year!)

Let's get rid of ALL of the "history" months.

I acknowledge all history & believe it should be recognized..& not denied, or ignored. I love Black History Month, Civil War Days, Battle of Great Bridge, Etc. I believe any American who's ancestors fought/or involved in any conflict, from any region that is currently part of the United States should be recognized if they want to put forth the effort. If anyone doesn't like the event/s, there is no requirement to attend any of the festivities/events, or to read any accounts of said activities..I think the mayor should have granted this group what they requested. If it is too late this year..then next year would be nice. If any local events are held concerning American or Virginia history, I try to attend.

The Mayor should have at least responded to the request. A non response just shows that she did not want to address the request...or was too concerned about the flack she would receive with the decision she made. I understand not answering to an article in the media, but she should be required to answer to a specific question directed to her office.

Many young and old Southern Americans gave their life for what they belived during that time in our American History as right. It is quite clear to me that the Mayor bowed to political pressure because of blacks crying racism. If we can have Black History, Asian History, Hispanic Heritage, Womens months, then by-God we can have Sons of the Confederacy Month.

Well said no jones. Never understood a group of men playing dress up war like little boys. I am a southern too and had ancestors on both the Confederate and Union side, what was best for our country happened. Get over it boys!