In April, Baisakhi is when Sikhs reflect on the creation of the Khalsa and the affirmation of ideals of liberty, equality, and justice for all humanity. In April, Confederate History Month is when Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell believes that all Virginians should reflect on “the sacrifices of the Confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens”. Notice what is missing. Any reference to slavery and the tragic impact it had on the lives of millions. McDonnell declined to refer to slavery because “there were any number of aspects to that conflict between the states. Obviously, it involved slavery. It involved other issues. But I focused on the ones I thought were most significant for Virginia.” James McPherson, a leading Civil War scholar, on the omission: “Confederate history was ultimately bound up with slavery. But that was the principal reason for secession — that an anti-slavery party was elected to the White House. . . . And without secession, there wouldn’t have been a war.” Former Governor Douglas Wilder, the first African American to be elected governor in the nation, members of the Virginia Legislature, and the NAACP have also come out against the proclamation. What do you think about the proclamation and the omission of any reference to slavery? Do we have a responsibility to recognize and remember acts of injustice throughout history so that they are not repeated? You can send a message to Governor McDonnell with your thoughts. UPDATE: Governor McDonnell apologizes for ‘omission’ and amends proclamation Governor McDonnell issued a statement: “The proclamation issued by this Office designating April as Confederate History Month contained a major omission. The failure to include any reference to slavery was a mistake, and for that I apologize to any fellow Virginian who has been offended or disappointed. The abomination of slavery divided our nation, deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights, and led to the Civil War. Slavery was an evil, vicious and inhumane practice which degraded human beings to property, and it has left a stain on the soul of this state and nation. In 2007, the Virginia General Assembly approved a formal statement of “profound regret” for the Commonwealth’s history of slavery, which was the right thing to do.” The following amendment was made to the proclamation: “WHEREAS, it is important for all Virginians to understand that the institution of slavery led to this war and was an evil and inhumane practice that deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights and all Virginians are thankful for its permanent eradication from our borders, and the study of this time period should reflect upon and learn from this painful part of our history.”
