'We need to learn from the good and the bad in our past'
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Mrs. Randall, I am sorry that you need to interject race into this request for funding by the United Daughters of the Confederacy to rededicate the Silent Sentinel ["Please don't celebrate confederacy on my dime," Times-Mirror, April 30]. Why does everything have to be about race these days? By making it about race, you are limiting our view of history.
Many in our society would choose to overlook parts of our history, act as though it never existed. Opportunities like this rededication give us a chance to learn and reflect on our history here in Loudoun. Ignoring it does not change the facts. I would think that all Americans would want to know, teach and be taught the truth. This is how we prevent history from repeating itself. We need to learn from the good and the bad in our past.
I take issue with the implications you made about the UDC after you visited its Web site. I know several members of the UDC and they are no threat to our society. They are not racist and they do not celebrate slavery. They certainly do not want to bring back slavery. I think your assessment is incredibly unfair and extremely inaccurate. You should consider a retraction and apology.
It has become clear that the ladies of the UDC no longer need money from the county. Apparently enough support has come to them through private donation, resulting from the Board of Supervisors being unable to do the right thing. That, Mrs. Randall, should tell you how Loudouners want their tax dollar spent.
Wendy Heuer
Purcellville
Ms. Heuer,
First let me say that I appreciate your respectful tone. I believe these issues are very important and a conversation, if not agreement can only be reached if all parties approach such topics with a willingness to listen to one another.
Now let me try to respond to some of your comments.
First I did not inject race in this issue, I injected truth. One of the goals of the Confederacy was to continue the practice of slavery. I in no way said the UDC wanted to celebrate slavery. In fact I never said any of the things you accuse me of saying in your letter. What I did say, and will proudly repeat is asking me to spend my tax payer money for any type of celebration of the confederacy is quite simply offensive to me.
Yes, of course I believe we should always learn from and study our history. However, there are many areas of history that should be taught, yet NOT celebrated. Take for example the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. Is that not a piece of history we should teach, but not celebrate?
I believe the same holds true for the confederacy. You of course believe differently, I respect and appreciate that, however the celebration of one’s confederate ancestry should not include using my tax money.
I asked a question that no one seems to wish to answer. Let me repeat it. It the descendents of Nat Turner came before this (or any governing body) asking for tax funds, should that request be approved. I say it should not. If you believe tax payers money to celebrate ones confederate ancestry should be approved, why would it not logically follow that money requested by the descendents of Nat Turner not also be approved?
Ms. Heuer please tell me if the county provided tax payer funding to the UDC, a private organization, what other private organizations should also be funded on the county dime? How about Equality Loudoun, the NAACP, any county PTO or PTA, the Voters for Loudoun's Future, Loudoun Friends of Mental Health, La Voz, local little league teams, I could go on but you get my point. Where does this stop?
As to your remarks about what county tax payers want, let me say that Loudoun has over a quarter million residents. I’m not sure how many of those contributed to the $3,300 requested by the UDC, however we can safely assume it was not the majority of Loudoun Citizens. So no Ms. Heuer I don’t believe that says anything about what the Citizens of Loudoun wanted. It says instead what a handful of people could afford. I would also say that the vast majority of Loudoun Citizens call of the Board of Supervisors to use their tax money very prudently.
As far as me offering a retraction or apology, Ms. Heuer, if I’ve never been sure about anything else in my life, let me say without any doubt, any equivocation, any indecision, any wavering, faltering, vacillation, or hesitation that a retraction or apology from me will be certainly not be forthcoming.
Regards,
Phyllis Randall
Posted by P.Randall
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