Lee Robert E. Lee - A Hero Every Child Should Know.

[Allie]

If they were unfairly taxed but had no Reprensentation then they were completely right to protest, and the Confederates also committed acts of terror against those who opposed them.

And about Washington and Lee:

"And let's not forget that Lafayette tried in vain to get Washington to free his slaves and he refused and the states also demanded fugitive slaves back following the shooting. Is that 'just'?"

"I don't have a problem with that. If I did I wouldn't have much of a life since it's something I can't change. But Washington, as commander of the Continental Army and likely the most respected man around in that time was given the opportunity and as president could have done something...but nothing."

I would insert an opinion which differs from both of yours: I believe in the right of the governed to choose their government, and thus that both the Confederacy and the Colonies had the right to form a separate government from one which did not share their interests. But the Confederacy did it for what I consider a loathsome reason, perpetuating **** and slavery, while the Colonies did it because they were being economically exploited. Not wanting to be economically exploited isn't necessarily the best reason to split from a parent nation, but I think it's a valid one.

Incidentally, while he himself was not a perfect person and his cause sucked, I still think there's a lot a child could learn from Robert E Lee.

 

[Allie]

Father Damien seems like an odd companion to the others on that list. A whole bunch of military heroes and one guy who fought leprosy. Why him in particular?

 

[Greyfalcon]

Washington's cause was about freeing themselves from British oppression, Lee's cause was about preserving and expanding Slavery.

...and by "themselves" you mean, white men excepting OUR slaves, while Britain declared manumission for any who ran to British lines and fought for king and country, while we would and did, preserve their servitude.

Mind you, I think both were just, but if Lee be a traitor, Washington and our Founders, were every bit the traitor too.

 

[MattL]

That is a perspective, a northern perspective.

Lee's entire reason for siding with the CSA was to protect and defend Virginia who going to be invaded.

Both sides were waging war with each other and both sides were elected representatives of American government. To try and simplify Lee as "waging war on America" is grossly inaccurate.

For the record I have no problem with Lee being listed in a book of heroes. Though you are simply wrong. The CSA fought war with the US, the explicitly said they were splitting with the United States and warred against it.

There's a reason they explicitly called themselves the "Confederate States of America".

 

[MattL]

...and by "themselves" you mean, white men excepting OUR slaves, while Britain declared manumission for any who ran to British lines and fought for king and country, while we would and did, preserve their servitude.

Mind you, I think both were just, but if Lee be a traitor, Washington and our Founders, were every bit the traitor too.

Though I agree with your first statement, I think the second one needs context

Lee was a traitor to the United States of America (in the name of the Confederate States of America)
Washington and our Founders were traitors to Britain (in the name of the United States of America

 

[The Confederate]

Mind you, I think both were just, but if Lee be a traitor, Washington and our Founders, were every bit the traitor too.

Lee was a traitor to the United States, the Founders were not, that's what really matters.

 

[MRB1863]

Looks like an interesting book!

 

[JerseyBart]

...and by "themselves" you mean, white men excepting OUR slaves, while Britain declared manumission for any who ran to British lines and fought for king and country, while we would and did, preserve their servitude.

Mind you, I think both were just, but if Lee be a traitor, Washington and our Founders, were every bit the traitor too.

Though I agree with your first statement, I think the second one needs context

Lee was a traitor to the United States of America (in the name of the Confederate States of America)
Washington and our Founders were traitors to Britain (in the name of the United States of America

Lee was a traitor to the United States, the Founders were not, that's what really matters.

There are plenty of "debating Lee" threads on this forum. The author of this thread seems to prefer this not be one of them so it's not.

Posted as moderator

 

[Nathanb1]

Why don't we argue over Missions of Texas and those lovely Conquistadores who helped the Indians?

I happen to love old books for what they are...a moment in time.

 

[civilken]

All children should know who Benedict Arnold was. I also think they should also learn about other states, so there's a multitude of flags for you.

As far as heroes go...I try to avoid that term in my classes. If we're talking Greek here then most die a tragic death.

you are certainly right but only one represents all Americans.

 

[Rob9641]

Hero - A person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

Perseus
Hercules
Daniel
David
St. George
King Arthur
Sir Galahad
Siegfried
Roland
King Alfred
The Cid
Robin Hood
Richard the Lion-Hearted
Saint Louis
William Tell
Robert Bruce
George Washington
Robert E. Lee
Abraham Lincoln
Father Damien

Interesting how several of these people never existed, and every single one of them is male and believed to be white. The book reflects more about the time it was published in than anything else.

 

[Rob9641]

Today that would be a positive with the precious snowflakes. U.S. = evil

If believing in the dignity and worth of human beings regardless of sex, creed, race, nationality, sexual orientation makes me a snowflake, then count me in! (for the record, I don't think "U.S.=evil" altho I think many U.S. citizens, present and past, are pretty darned close to it, as are and were many Russians, Mexicans, Syrians, Englishmen, Irishmen, Chinese, Egyptians, Moroccans....... and I don't think such people are very helpful to humankind).

 

[Old_Glory]

You can read it here: http://www.mainlesson.com/display.p...ee&PHPSESSID=ae56e02fb108f86a6740396cb1a7cd0a

Fantastic and in plain text as well.

 

[huskerblitz]

you are certainly right but only one represents all Americans.

with American exceptionalism is hard to call someone a hero who came in second place behind general grant

Neither of these exclusively mark who is and who isn't a hero. But I can tell you your reliance on American Exceptionalism is a problem in terms of heroes.

 

[Lost Cause]

Let's have a contest. List all the purported heroes in the book and let's see how many we can eliminate using today's college campus standards. We can easily eliminate Lee and Washington because they were both slave owners. Lincoln made racist statements so he's out (if you said it once you live with it forever these days so we've gotta be fair in applying the standards).

Who else is no longer worthy ? Think of the children. Do we want this book to end up in our libraries ?

BJ

He is popular:

 

[The Confederate]

That is also why Lincoln is viewed as a hero. He is viewed as defending the Union. Lee is viewed as defending Virginia and the rights of the South in the Civil War. That is why they are both remembered as heroes.Though both had aggressive natures as well, only people who aren't fond of them focus on that aspect of them.

Virginia engaged in Rebellion and Acts of Aggression against the United States, and the only right of the South Lee was defending was the right to own Slaves.

 

[Old_Glory]

Virginia engaged in Rebellion and Acts of Aggression against the United States, and the only right of the South Lee was defending was the right to own Slaves.

It sounds like you're one of those who are not too fond of him. Well I am fond of him and will enjoy this read.

 

[The Confederate]

It sounds like you're one of those who are not too fond of him. Well I am fond of him and will enjoy this read.

I'm merely showing facts.

 

[Bee]

There are plenty of "debating Lee" threads on this forum. The author of this thread seems to prefer this not be one of them so it's not.

Posted as moderator

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!!

Why don't we argue over Missions of Texas and those lovely Conquistadores who helped the Indians?

I happen to love old books for what they are...a moment in time.

Me too! I tried to photograph one of my old books and it came out terrible. One needs to be able to see well enough to tell the camera what to look at. I was trying to catch the gold leaf, but it came out a big fat flashback

 

[Rob9641]

Same question I asked Huskerblitz ( no answer so far) how does one teach an Afro American or Bi Racial child that Robert E Lee is a hero ?
Leftyhunter

Every "hero" is a hero to some and a villain to others. IMO you teach the facts about Robert E. Lee and leave the "hero" out of it. But of course, people of one persuasion will teach certain facts about Lee while people of another persuasion will teach others (been that way North v. South for 150 years), so we're back in the same mire, I suppose.

I don't put much stock in "heroes"; I think it's an overused term. To my mind there are people who are generally wise and people who are generally foolish. Maybe if you knowingly give up your life for a fellow human being I might call you a hero, but for me it would take something along those lines. I wouldn't call Lee a hero, but then I wouldn't even call Lincoln a hero (and I admire him more than almost any other American ever).