Property Heirs Argue Confederate Statue Rights in New VA Court Move

Top photo: A 2010 picture of the statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest, which was removed from Health Sciences Park (formerly Nathan Bedford Forrest Park) in downtown Memphis last December. (Wikimedia). Bottom photo: BY CURRIER & IVES (NOT SIGNED) - THIS IMAGE IS AVAILABLE FROM THE UNITED STATES LIBRARY OF CONGRESS'S PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS. VIA WIKI COMMONS

Dead Men's Property Heirs Argue Confederate Statue Rights in New VA Court Move

By Allison Anna Tait, Professor of Law, University of Richmond. First published on The Conversation

The latest chapter in the United States’ ongoing debate about Confederate monuments involves some unexpected opinions: those of long-dead land donors.

Responding to sustained, nationwide protests over police brutality, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on June 4 vowed to dismantle a prominent statue of the Virginia-born Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Richmond, the state capital.

That plan was put on pause just four days later when a state judge issued an injunction based on the petition of a man whose ancestor, Otway Allen, gave Virginia the land the the sculpture sits on.

In his petition to the court, William C. Gregory claimed that removal of the statue would violate the conditions of his great-grandfather’s 1890 land deed, which says Virginia “will hold said Statue and pedestal and Circle of ground perpetually sacred to the Monumental purpose … and that she will faithfully guard it and affectionately protect it.”

On June 19, a judge will decide whether to let the 10-day injunction expire, enabling Richmond to dismantle its Lee monument, or to obey the donor’s wishes – at least temporarily.

Richmond isn’t the only Virginia city where a centuries-old land deed is a legal hurdle in removing Confederate monuments many see as a symbol of white supremacy. Nearby Charlottesville has faced similar questions about the intentions of the philanthropist who donated its controversial Robert E. Lee statue.

Hitler Cited America As A Perfect Example of White Nationalism

“How the Rebel Flag Rose Again—and Is Helping Trump” By Mason Adams for Politico June 16, 2016. Image by M. Scott Mahaskey/POLITICO

In the age of Trump, Charleston shootings, Charlottesville and most recently Ahmaud Arbery hunted, trapped and cornered like an animal before before being shot, this NYT Op Ed ‘Why Does the US Military Celebrate White Supremacy? is perfect timing.

Reading it -- 2-3 mos before my move to VA -- I am shocked to learn that Hitler more than once cited America as an example of a country that legally protected its white nationalism.

Hitler saw America -- yes "the shining city upon a hill" -- as an idealized example of white supremacy.

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash. Civil War reenactment at The Wade House in Plymouth, Wisconsin. This is a huge, annual event that draws visitors from across the country. These images were taken in 2005, during which time I worked as a photojournalist for a local newspaper.

When I read a jaw-dropping statement like that one, Google is required. Those top links are also included here. For once, they appear before Wiki and the equivalent of whitenationalism.com.

That says to me that people are reading about this issue, even if it's not part of our national dialogue. I think Rachel Maddow should take up this topic and educate us all -- that Hitler repeatedly looked to the United States to justify his policy of rounding up the Jews and gassing millions.

Articles include How American Racism Influenced Hitler; Why the Nazis Loved America; and White Nationalism’s Deep American Roots.

It's been almost two years since I got it into my mind to move to Virginia with a keen desire to be part of the New South. That move is really taking shape now, finally, with the oppty to live in a brand new, super special set of buildings not in Virginia Beach but Norfolk, next door.

This move will allow me to become a swing voter in VA in time for the presidential election. While the move is inspired by VA's vibrant arts community in Norfolk, as well as in VB, I deliberately want to live where slavery first began in America. I want to soak up that poison and repurpose it, take responsibility for it and -- yes-- to fight for my vision of America.

As my friend Christine Turner said, "Honey if you want to confront the beast, you can't come to Alabama. You will lose your mind here. If I consider the options, I think Virginia is a perfect choice for you."

To read this morning that Hitler cited America as his idealized society, I am humiliated and heartbroken. But that is just another motivation to fight for my vision of what is right -- and especially in the time of Trump. ~ Anne