Lee Day controversial and unknown

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Posted: 7:08 PM Jan 17, 2008
Last Updated: 9:39 PM Jan 17, 2008
Reporter: Rob Pratt

27 comments

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Knoxville (WVLT) -- As people across the country prepare to observe Martin Luther King Jr's birthday on Monday, another historical figure also has a day in designated in his honor.

It isn’t wildly known, but every year, Robert E. Lee Day is celebrated as an official holiday in Tennessee.

The little known holiday is fine with some Tennesseans, but others don't think the government should still officially honor the Confederate Army General.

January 19th, which falls on a Saturday this year, is legally recognized as Robert E. Lee Day in the state.

“I think he was one of the best generals we've ever had,” said Linden Gill, a Knoxville resident. “I was a career military person and respect reading about him in history as well as about how well he was liked. He could have been in the Union Army or the Confederate Army, either one."

"He was the leader of the Confederate Army and the Confederacy sought to accumulate states to use African Americans as property," said Ezra Maize, president of the Knoxville chapter of the NAACP.

Maize said he doubts most even know about the Robert E. Lee holiday, but he is troubled just knowing that it's still on the books.

So how did it become a holiday?

A spokesperson from Governor Phil Bredesen's office said state law makes it the duty of the governor to proclaim the day.

That spokesperson said Lee Day is not intended to offend anyone and that the Governor is just following the letter of the law.

"On the one hand, we recognize and we celebrate Martin Luther King's Birthday, because we are proud of the struggle that we have gone through in order to receive the freedom that we have received,” Maize said. “On the other hand, we keep on the books Robert E. Lee day which totally contradicts what Martin Luther King stood for."

In the end, it would take an act of the legislature to change the holiday, but with so few even noticing the day, and even fewer complaining, that appears unlikely to happen.

There are several other state holidays you may not even know about

The include Harriet Tubman day on March 10th and Confederate Memorial Day on June 3rd.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Tony Location: MI. on Sep 13, 2008 at 09:30 PM
WE celebrate Rev.Dr.Martin Luther King's life and legacy because of the SACRIFICE that he gave for the ADVANCEMENT of African-Americans. To all you racist folks....OBAMA 08!!!!THANKS Dr.King you helped make it possible!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Doug Location: Virginia on Apr 11, 2008 at 06:17 PM
From looking through all these comments, it's clear that much more history needs to be taught. Let's begin here: Gen. Grant was Lincoln's second choice to head the Union army. Grant's first choice was Gen. Robert E. Lee, and Lee raised Lincoln's ire by not only turning him down, but for resigning from the Union army in order to follow his state of Virginia as it seceded. Lesson #2 is that the war was about MONEY . . . the big bucks of the cloth-manufacturers in the industrialized northeast, where they chose to enslave children and women in their factories, than use the black slaves that were already there. Lesson #3: One of the biggest slave auctions in the USA was right across the street from the Union capitol, in Washington, DC. Many of the New England family fortunes were made from the slave trade in RI, CT, MA and NY. Gen. Robert E. Lee was a man of huge Christian faith, honor and commitment, unlike the NAACP which requires much conflict to gain any support.

Posted by: LoneRebel Location: Chicago Illinois on Jan 28, 2008 at 04:30 PM
The NAACP is just plain hatefull and racist. Lee fought a war that stood not for slavery, but for freedom. To say that Lee fought so he could keep blacks as slaves is just plain stupid and ignorant. I fly my flag and I fly it high and with pride. If some people think its "racist" or dont like it, then I pity them, and say they shouldn't look at it.

Posted by: Smitty Location: Nashville on Jan 24, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Lee's birthday recognition is only "controversial" because race agitators choose to make it so for their own purposes and cowardly politicians like our governor fail to stand-up. We could use some courageous and honorable leaders like Lee in Tennessee today.

Posted by: Red Location: Johnson City on Jan 24, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Where is the equality? Lee-Jackson Day can is all but forgotton but MLK Day is hyped from every venue. The Scotch/Irish and German peoples that settled most of the Mid-South get little attention in the schools or history books in recent years but an entire month is devoted to promoting and glorifying Black history. Famous Tennessee like Old Hickory and Confederate heros from Tennessee like Forest are forgotton or denigrated while MLK and others are diafied. Shouldn't equality be for all? Even us old Tennessee mountain white folk?

Posted by: Sarge Location: Franklin Tenn on Jan 23, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Lee and Jackson along with Jefferson Davis,Forest and other great Heros of the South should be remembered with respect. Rarely in human history has an army or a people stood so bravely and honorably against such tremendous odds. MLK was certainly not a hero of my family but we do not choose to denigrate his memory. I only wish folk like Mr. Maise and other racial agitators would return the same level of respect.

Posted by: Virginian Location: Galax Virginia on Jan 22, 2008 at 09:14 AM
On his invasion of the North into Pennsylvania,General Lee selected Gettysburg as a point of attack for a very special reason. In Gettysburg was located a shoe making company. Approximately 50% of Lee's hungry,ill-equipped troops were barefoot or shod only in makeshift foot wrappings.In spite of great deprivation and hardship the southern army displayed courage and fighting spirit against astounding odds. It has been said that one could trace their line of march by the bloody footprints. An army of such men would follow only a most honored and beloved commander. Lee represents the best of our American heritage. He and those that he lead deserve respect regardless of current political circimstances or racial posturing and agitation.

Posted by: Old Timer-Lee Admirer Location: Tenn on Jan 22, 2008 at 08:35 AM
The mean-spirited attitude of those that continually denigrate the memory of our Southern icons and our heritage is the unfortunate result of ignorance and predjudice. Both Mr. Maise and our Governor's spokesman would benifit from a bit of the courage,the grace and the Christian spirit demonstrated by both LEE and King. It should not be necessary to tear down the valued heritage of people in order to honor the values and heritage of others. We are all Americans. Let's show some respect, where so much respect has been earned. To both Lee and to King.

Posted by: Danny Location: O Sullivan on Jan 21, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Applying the standards of the present to historical times ... the true level of both arrogance and ignorance. Congrats.

Posted by: susan Location: Madisonville tn on Jan 21, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Maize we Robert E Lee supporters we celebrate because we are proud of the struggle that we have gone through. Our Governor Phil Bredesen should be a man and stand up for something. No he has his spokesperson say it is his duty. We have men and women of all age and color fighting and dying for us today, and the naacp wants to whine about Robert E Lee and his day. Please forgive me if I don't care. My kids have to stay home from school on Kings birthday they have to study this in school. Will the naacp ever be happy will it ever be enough. Robert E Lee was a great man and I am proud to be a supporter of his. Mr. Lee is history just as Mr. King was. Mr. Maize needs a history lesson.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 20, 2008 at 07:51 PM
If I were a citizen and voter in Tennessee,I would be troubled by the mushy statements provided by the Governor's spokesperson. Many sons of the Volunteer State suffered great deprivation and sacrafice in defending their home state from invasion. In honoring the greatest general of the South (perhaps the nation) we honor the memory of those that served with such valor against insurmountable odds. It has nothing to do with racial issues or politics of today;it's about heritage and history and it's about respect. I would have expected a governor of Tennessee to defend the honorable history of his state and his country. There should be room in this land of freedom to show proper respect to both General LEE and to MLK.

Posted by: Ernest Location: Roanoke, VA on Jan 20, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Why is MLK the only "American" to have a federal holiday?

Posted by: Me Location: Home on Jan 20, 2008 at 02:46 PM
I so completely agree with Higgins.Predjudice is Predjudice regardless.

Posted by: Higgins Location: Mulberry FL on Jan 20, 2008 at 01:11 PM
It is difficult to see much difference in the intolerence and ignorance displayed by the spokesman for the NAACP Ezra Maise and the intolerance and ignorance displayed by the kluxers and nazis. Those that hate and disrespect the culture and heritage of others are really brothers under the skin. In January I honor the memory and birthdates of General Lee,Stonewall Jackson and Reverend King. It's called being a proud American. I'm sorry Mr. Maise is lost in his predjudice.

Posted by: Dennis Location: Florida on Jan 20, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I still posess a small bust of General Lee given to me by grandfather upon our visit to the Lee tomb and chapel many years ago. I am now a sixty one year old vet but my eyes still moisten when I remember the sight of the strongest man I ever knew weeping at the graveside of General Lee. A number of my ancesters followed this great leader some didn't return. In our household ,General Lee will always be revered. So sad that hateful,narrow-minded people can not show more tolerance to the heritage and the values of others as they demand recognition of their own.

Posted by: RealityCzech Location: Mason-Dixon Line on Jan 20, 2008 at 10:57 AM
CSA Citizen, What a pile of abject, revisionist, garbage. Confederate apologists can yell "states' rights" 'til the cows come home; their lost, pathetic cause was about advancing the cause of slavery even into free territory (Kansas-Nebraska Act ring a bell?) Robert Edward Lee was an entirely different story; an honorable gentlemen whose military genius took a backseat only to his unwavering sense of morality. Clearly, it pained him deeply to take up arms against his country to defend the integrity of his state and its people. He thought first and always of his men, as evidenced by his negotiations with Grant at Appomattox. He paid dearly for his choices, but sought to heal this country's open wounds after the war. The ignorance and arrogance from all corners, regarding the War Between The States -- astounds me. No side can claim the highest moral ground. Give General Lee his holiday. Give the Reverend Dr. King, his. And use both, to educate.

Posted by: evelina Location: tazewell on Jan 19, 2008 at 09:06 PM
i wonder why theyve never had a dale earnhardt sr day .

Posted by: bertha Location: gethel ky on Jan 19, 2008 at 08:57 PM
why cant we all just get alone

Posted by: Chris Location: Tennessee on Jan 19, 2008 at 11:15 AM
If it is unknown, then it couldnt be controversial, could it? Ezra Maize isn't exactly an authority on history, so why he would be consulted about something he knows nothing about is a mystery to me. He couldn't even tell you what day and year Lee was born.

Posted by: Calvin Location: Kennesaw, Georgia on Jan 18, 2008 at 02:02 PM
No, Robert E. Lee's birthday is not controversal. Dr. Edward Smith, a African-American Professor of History, said at a Robert E. Lee Service in 1995, that Martin Luther King and Robert E. Lee were both worthy of our emulation. You can get a VHS tape of his speech at: www.dixiedepot.com Also on the 100th anniversary of Lee's death a former Union Soldier spoke at Washington and Lee College in tribute to Robert E. Lee. Lee is buried there at Lee Chapel with his family and near his favorite horse "Traveller." You can find my article on Robert E. Lee by going to www.google.com and entering "Happy 201st Birthday Robert E. Lee" in seach engine. Robert E. Lee was a Great American who should be remembered. Let us tell those stories of our American Heroes for future generations of young people. Lest We Forget All Our American Heroes!!

Posted by: TrueSoutherner Location: Knoxville on Jan 18, 2008 at 01:13 PM
The re-naming of "Lee-Jackson Day" to "MLK Day" was the biggest slap in the face to true southerners ever experienced. Had the roles been reversed, we would be subject to never-ending howls of protests from the African-American community. As it is, I am astounded that we allow stories such as yours to air and further erode the proud heritage of the South.

Posted by: SCV Member Location: Knoxville on Jan 18, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Shame on you for slandering an honorable man by airing only "politically correct" views! I should hope your station will be more objective next time.

Posted by: Bushrod Location: Lake City on Jan 18, 2008 at 12:51 PM
I was appalled at the abject ignorance displayed by the NAACP spokesperson during your interview. A rebuttal by someone more well-versed in history should have been aired. It is this sort of government education which perpetuates the myths surrounding the (Civil) War. Same on a Southern TV station for allowing such biased coverage of a holiday meant to honor an honorable man.

Posted by: Arnold Location: Grovetown on Jan 18, 2008 at 09:46 AM
The only reason celebrating Robert E. Lee' s Birthday is controversial is because interviews on the holiday are given to people who are so intolerant of Lee that they are bound to controversial. Most citizens don't feel that way. Moreover the only reason the holiday is unknown is because the mainstream media is so "politically correct" that they feel they can't mention the holiday.

Posted by: oldgrouch Location: kodak on Jan 18, 2008 at 06:39 AM
here we go agin, NAACP wants everything their way and nothing any other way, I'm getting tired of this one sided program, this level the playing field

Posted by: Terry Location: Maryland on Jan 18, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Mr. Maize needs to read his history. General Lee and MLK Jr. are complementary historical figures. Men striving against tremendous odds for the freedom of their people. For Lee he fought for the right for Southerners to govern themselves. For MLK for the rights of his people to have equality and a voice in their future. Lee was opposed to slavery and felt it should end, expressing at the end of the war that the end of servitude was a positive thing.

Posted by: CSA Citizen Location: Florida on Jan 18, 2008 at 03:27 AM
The Federalist brainwashing has sure done its job ! NO, Robert E Lee did NOT stand for slavery, as NONE of the Confederate Generals or states did ! The South freed most of their slaves BEFORE the Lincoln War even began ! NO one has been taught TRUE history for the past 147 years in the Federalist schools ! These statements in this article shows how thorough they have been ! The Feds began the race and hate agenda in full swing in 1954 so they could create the Civil Rights wars. There was never ANY race problems in the South until infiltrators from the north began them for the OWG US Federal agenda.The North kept slavery going for several years AFTER the war, and there was always four times the slavery in the north then there ever was in the south. Only the Yankees had the slave ships and only the US Federal flag flew over the slave ships.Confederacy FORBADE their flags from flying over anything to do with slavery! This TRUE history and more was kept concealed by the Federalists.

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