A member of the State Legislature wants no part of bringing a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. to capitol grounds. State Rep. Tommy Benton (R-Jefferson) doesn’t want his name included on a plaque that will accompany a statue of King that will soon be unveiled at the state capitol.
“I want everybody name who was associated with the statue on the statue. In the spirit of Dr. King we want it,” said SCLC President and CEO Charles Steele. “If he believes, to any degree, in the upward mobility of what he is supposed to represent, he would want his name on there. But if you don’t believe in freedom and justice, we don’t want you.”
On the opposite side is a member of organization charged with keeping the memory of the Confederacy alive.
Grady Vickery, a member of Sons of Confederate Veterans in Dawsonville said he does not personally know Benton, but says Benton has every right to remove his name from a statue honoring King. Vickery also supports statements Benton has made that the Civil War was not started over slavery.
What should be done? Does it matter if Benton’s name is left off the plaque? Or is that a misrepresentation of history? Since he was against the statue in the first place, is it O.K. for him to abstain from participation? Or must he be a part of the project so that it reflects his constituents?
Send your comments to communitynews@ajc.com. Responses may be edited for length and/or clarity. They also may appear in print and/or online.
AT ISSUE: SHOULD REED HAVE REVERSED DECISION ON RAINBOW SIDEWALKS?
Reversing a decision of October 2015, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed now supports painting a permanent rainbow crosswalk at 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in Midtown as a symbol of unity with the LGBTQ community.
Here’s what readers had to say about it:
Frankly, I'm getting tired of having to show special favoritism to specific groups who think their cause is the most important focus a community should have. Political pandering is all that this is. Sad this group seems to get more press time than remembering those who died protecting this country and their constitutional right to be different. But they spit on everyone else who won't agree with their point of view. — D. Stephan
As far as the "rainbow crosswalk" is concerned, what does God say about it? I think you will find it in Leviticus 18:22. Look it up and see what he says. — Charlotte and Thomas Brayton
Rainbow-hued crosswalks don't bother me. … I see them as persistent cries for recognition of a deviant lifestyle … (but) I'm concerned that our children might see these signs of rebellion as another way to resist parental guidance. It's hard enough for parents to raise children without having to explain why a self-marginalized group's behavior is considered normal by the media and public officials. — Jack Franklin
This is very distracting; I almost ran into the car in front of me looking at it. The car behind me did the same. Let the LGBQT community paint something that will not cause accidents. — Jack Malott
I believe the Federal Highway Administration rules should be upheld. One compromise would be to paint rainbows on the surrounding buildings if the community, which makes up a small percentage of the Atlanta population, wants to make a statement. — G Nichols
(They) didn't think about that, but if ISIS or the Boy Scouts wanted to designate some public space as their own, the mayor would have to consider it. — Daisy Cook
David Ibata for the AJC
About the Author
