Democrats and civil rights leaders are outraged by the recent proclamation made last week by Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell that April will now serve as Confederate History Month. Initially McDonnell stated, "the month will serve as a time to remember and pay tribute to the soldiers who fought and died for the south in the Civil war." Since the initial proclamation McDonnell has received tremendous backlash from various supporters, civil right leaders, democrats and minorities around the country.
One of the main concerns is that McDonnell doesn't mention slavery in the proclamation. Co-Founder of BET Networks and one of McDonnells major democratic supporters Shelia Johnson said "The complete omission of slavery from an official government document, which purports to be a call for Virginians to ‘understand’ and ’study’ their history, is both academically flawed and personally offensive. "
L. Douglas Wilder, former governor called the passing of this month “mind-boggling to say the least.” Wilder supported McDonnell during his race for governor against opponent republican R. Creigh Deeds, but does not support McDonnell’s decision. Johnson went on to say "I must condemn Governor McDonnell’s Proclamation honoring ‘Confederate History Month,’ and its insensitive disregard of Virginia’s complicated and painful history, the remnants of which many Virginians still wrestle with today."
Many students in the surrounding areas had mixed emotions about the proclamation. LaMont Russell, Howard University senior Business Administration major from Chicago Il said "I think it is very insensitive, and shows me how far the United States hasn't come in regard to progression. For this idea to even be considered to go in our nations history is mind-blogging." Similarly Mark Chen, Junior Finance major attending Georgetown University said "I thinking its very insensitive and unnecessary proclamation, while I'm personally not offended, I can see how it would be offensive, and I'm completely opposed to adding American history that is offensive to any group."
In lieu of the controversy McDonnell released a public apology April 7, 2010 stating "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."
According to CNN.com McDonnell also announced Wednesday that he would add the following language about slavery to the proclamation. "(I)t is important for all Virginians to understand that the institution of slavery led to this (Civil) war and was an evil and inhumane practice that deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights," the new language says, "and all Virginians are thankful for its permanent eradication from our borders."
Only time will tell what exactly will be done or if the decision passes, but Americans and Virginians specifically will be watching and listening for the final outcome.