Ole Miss Adding Plaque With Context for Confederate Statue

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Ole Miss Adding Plaque With Context for Confederate Statue

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
JACKSON, Miss. — Mar 11, 2016, 3:23 PM ET

A Confederate soldier statue that has stood for generations in a prominent spot on the University of Mississippi's Oxford campus will soon be accompanied by a plaque giving it historical context.

A university news release says Friday that work has started on the plaque and should be finished by the end of the month.

The addition is part of an effort announced in 2014 to promote racial diversity and provide context for Old South symbols.

The plaque says the Confederate statue was dedicated by local citizens in 1906 and was a rallying point where a mob gathered in 1962 to oppose the admission of the first black student at Ole Miss.

Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter says the plaque confirms the university creed of "respect for the dignity of each person."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ole-miss-adding-plaque-context-confederate-statue-37586529

[Major Nikon]

1. If they really wanted to promote racial diversity, they would remove the traitorous statue

[OriginalGeek]

2. 100% agree

How in the hell does it help racial diversity to say "look guys! This is where we kept them black people out!"



I've lived in the south all my life and all I see when I see the stars and bars is "traitor".

[CTyankee]

3. Take the statue away. Leave the plaque but say more about the truth and why the

the statue was taken away. It would be educational.

[OriginalGeek]

4. I like that plan

education is always the right choice. (that's why I love your art threads!) I don't like hiding the bad or the good. But that statue just seemed too much like it was glorifying the spot. Down here there is wayyyyyy too much glorifying of those who would take up arms against their own country for the right to own other people. (And whatever other BS rights States Rights apologists wanna trot out to try and deflect)

[CTyankee]

5. Yep, thanks. And thank you for your nice comment on my art threads....

My computer desk fell apart and typing this is difficult, but my new desk is coming tomorrow. I'll be able to type and deliver another art essay very soon. I have one all planned in my mind. It will be on Bernini's "Ecstasy of Saint Teresa." Fabulous sculpture with surprising insights into his creative process of this work.

[WillowTree]

6. Better than nothing, I suppose.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. "We apologize if you are offended by the grand tradition of lynching ..."

I can't wait to see the fine print on the plaque, lawyerly if not scholarly.