Every tribute to MLK is a good one
It would be absurd to stop a Stone Mountain tribute to Dr. King from happening. Those persons clamoring to stop such a tribute remind me of a tired old bulldog barking loudly while having no teeth. Every tribute to honor Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. should make us all most grateful to those responsible for the gesture.
CHARLES MICHEAUX, ATLANTA
Our future is the Middle East
Let’s put the King statue on Stone Mountain without public funds. Black leaders seem unaware that the Hispanic population has already surpassed them in the U.S.A. This group will soon enough create an “It’s Our Time” attitude and begin tearing down cherished monuments and renaming roads, including those named for Dr. King, and demanding their own idols. No more United States of America. Look to the Middle East to see our future.
MABEL WILBANKS, FAYETTEVILLE
Andy Young’s view is correct
My sentiments align strongly with Andrew Young regarding a King Memorial atop Stone Mountain. It would be a fitting testament to the ongoing triumph of civil rights over Jim Crow and slavery. Nevertheless, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and others have a valid point that, by virtue of anti-civil rights legislation, Stone Mountain Park is a dedicated memorial to the Confederacy and civil rights doesn’t really have a place in that history. However, what also currently has no place in that history is the Confederacy’s dedication to the preservation of slavery. I would suggest that, in the interest of accuracy, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association require adding plaques to the bases of the flagstaffs of the states of the Confederacy that display each state’s, Articles of Secession. Everyone can then see the “States’ Rights” for which they seceded: whenever stated, each proclaimed slavery — almost exclusively — as their reason for leaving the U.S. As a further testimonial to the legacy of the Confederacy, they might also consider restoring the exclusive right of the 1915 resurgent KKK — originally formed by Confederate leaders and soldiers—to burn crosses atop the mountain. It is beyond argument that the “heritage” of the the Confederate Battle Flag includes the hatred now associated with it..
KURT OHBERG, ATLANTA
Leave memorials as they are
Those who wish to “enrich” the Confederate Memorial at Stone Mountain should also be making plans to add a Martin Luther King Memorial Bell atop the Vietnam War Memorial. After all, MLK was for non-violence. There could also be a large plaque with sincere apologies for invading Vietnam, losing the war, and leaving the Vietnamese to become slaves of communists. This would be “getting it together” or “topping it off” as some seem to wish.
As for me, I prefer leaving two beautiful memorial monuments as they are in all their present beauty and respect.
CATHERINE BOONE SHEALY, ATLANTA
Blaming past won’t fix today’s ills
If the plight of today’s African-American is the result of the Confederate heritage, why then are the worst ghettos, worst schools, worst crime rates, worst everything to be found in the Union heritage cities of Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, and others all across the former “Northern” states? Racism wasn’t born with the Confederacy and it didn’t die with it. It is a condition of sinful man, and must be overcome through education, and economic opportunity for all. Too many young blacks are just not getting either, all across our country. I would suggest that making them “victims entitled” only perpetuates the problem and makes it worse. The Confederate heritage bugaboo is just a convenient scapegoat. You only have to look to black success stories to find the answers to the problems. I am not talking about the super-successful. I am talking about successful black families found all over suburban Atlanta. Hint: the word “family” is a big factor.
GRANT ESSEX, MILTON
