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Alabama and Mississippi will also honor Robert E. Lee on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Summary

Alabama and Mississippi commemorate Robert E. Lee Day alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the same day, reflecting a long-standing juxtaposition of contrasting legacies.

Both states combined these holidays in the 1980s when King’s federal holiday was established. Black lawmakers have since unsuccessfully attempted to separate them.

Critics argue it disrespects King’s civil rights leader legacy to pair his honor with Lee, a Confederate general who fought to preserve slavery and uphold white supremacy.

Other southern states have abolished similar practices, leaving only Alabama and Mississippi with shared celebrations for King and Lee.

27 comments
  • "We're not racist, we're the party of Lincoln!" claim the people who celebrate the person and flag that Lincoln actively fought against.

  • reflecting a long-standing juxtaposition of contrasting legacies.

    Aw jeez what an awful lil qwinkydink

    Critics argue it disrespects King’s civil rights leader legacy

    That's way underselling it. It's a purpose built reminder to people of color about how those in power and their supporters feel about them.

  • Fuck all Confederate sympathizers, they should have all been hanged after they lost the Civil War.

    As for Lee, I'll just say the best thing about him was his love for his horse, which based off his accounts I'll just assume he engaged in bestiality.

    Fuck you Robert E. Lee, I shit on your legacy and would defile your grave if I had the chance.

27 comments