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Thursday, March 15, 2007
Lawmaker: More Confederate History, Please
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A day after Black History Month ended, a Georgia lawmaker filed a bill calling for April to be designated “Confederate Heritage and History Month,” and encouraging all the subsequent state observances and classroom lessons such dedications inspire.
State Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) hasn’t gone as far as mandating that Georgia schools carry a Confederate History curriculum, he’s merely suggesting they consider one, particularly because of the state’s role in the Civil War.
“Many of the war’s prominent battles were fought in Georgia,” Mullis’ bill states. “… Much of Georgia was laid waste during Sherman’s march to the sea and Georgians of all classes and every profession gave generously and sacrificed much to the Confederacy and its cause.
“It is the most momentous period in the history of the South and our state since the American Revolution and deserves official honors and recognition.”
Interestingly, the “cause for Southern Independence” — as the bill calls it — began in February 1861. But the observance for Confederate Memorial Day has long been held in April, coinciding with the end of the war here. I guess Mullis opted to stick with tradition and not move the commemorations to another month.
Then again, February’s already been taken.
UPDATE: According to the latest article by my colleague, Sonji Jacobs, Mullis’ bill received a favorable review Thursday. Keep a lookout: “Confederate Heritage and History Month” could be coming to a school near you.
